How activity intensity is measured

[Elwel]

New Sense user here. Can anyone tell me why does changing random auto-selections for activity to "Gardening" result in a reduction from intense to moderate activity? Is there an algorithm which isn't programmed for using crowbars, heavy digging etc? What topic should I choose to record my activity so it matches the live record instead of downgrading my effort?

[DramaQueenDiva]

The Sense uses something called Pure Pulse Technology, meaning it uses your heart rate to guess which exercise you're doing.  As for customizing your exercise, there's a way that you can add a custom activity, however, I'm not sure where it is (I haven't used it in years).

[Elwel]

Thanks for your answer - but what I want to know is why the exercise Fitbit has already recorded as "Intense" (from my heart rate) is changed to "Moderate" after I tell it what I was doing at that time...

[Guy_]

Hi @Elwel  - manually changing an exercise probably overrides the default calculation as well as each exercise may have different algorithms.

Possibly selecting the correct exercise at the start will give you better results.

[Elwel]

Thanks Guy - shame heavy gardening/yardwork is not popular enough to have an icon - I'll try "Outdoor workout" and see how that goes 🙂

[LokeAa]

Heavy for one person can be easy for another. It's impossible to get it correct. Since you mentioned outdoor workout; It is a difference working out upper body, and doing squats. Personally For logging purposes, distance and maps, I log my walks, hikes, running and treadmill, all others I rely on the accelerometer, and variations in HR. It will never be accurate. instead of asking how accurate Sense is, the better question is, is it accurate enough for your purposes? 

[Elwel]

LokeAa Thanks for that very thoughtful reply - I decided that I just have to stop feeling offended by a watch downgrading my effort 🙂 BTW I used "outdoor workout" for a vigorous weeding session today and it didn't downgrade my effort/intensity so I am now happy, and will use that option from now on.

[Elwel]

Hi Guy - well I tried your suggestion and it worked - hooray - I will now use "Outdoor Exercise" as an approximation for gardening in future. Cheers el.