Surge doesn't count steps unless you swing your arms????

[MDBaker777]

I know exactly what others are talking about here and is why I looked for help here in the fitbit forum.  I too am a long time fitbit user having used nearly all their products and about 2 weeks ago bought the Surge.  What I noticed was it only counted steps when you swing your arms in a normal way while walking or running.  However if your hands are still while walking such as pushing a shopping cart, holding a box which prevents my hands from swinging, if I utilize a dolly to move product on the docks and my hands are still, etc, it ultimately results in the step counter "NOT" counting your steps.  

This was never an issue with my previous fitbits or previous Fitbit One I had probably because it was in my pocket and not the point of buying the top of the line fitness watch.  

Believing I had a defective unit I returned it to BestBuy and the new unit still does the same.  There is evidence that the Surge has issues keeping track of our steps if the hands are in an idle state (even if you are truly moving).  I was really hoping to find there was a "Sensitivity Switch" for the sway in your arms or GPS monitoring to resolve this issue before I considered Apple or another smart fit watch.  

The question is, now what?  I also came here before I sold it off on eBay if I couldn't return it to the store but Fitbit definitly needs to address this issue.

If anyone has a solution to this delima, "Please Advise".

Good luck all!

[vanfox23]

I wear my surge on my ankle when grocery shopping, or put it in my pocket if I have one.  I'm not missing out on steps just cause my arms aren't moving.  I've also transitioned over to the Apple watch for a watch.  I still keep my surge with me because I like how it tracks things better.  The surge is just too big and bulky.

[Rich_Laue]

@vanfox23 since the Surge is mounted on your wrist, would it not make sense that the wrist needs to show some movement for it to count steps? 

[vanfox23]

yes it does, but like I said, I'm not missing out on steps through a grocery store because I'm pushing a cart.  Plus I said that the surge is just too big and bulky for a 6 inch wrist.  So if it's not in my pocket, it's on my ankle.  I'm still gonna get credit for steps however I can.  

[Bushmaster]

I had a Charge HR and noticed it didn't record my steps when I worked inside on an elliptical or an indoor bike. I started taking it off my wrist and wearing it under my spandex cycling shorts (just above the knee). I found it then recorded my steps and my heart rate. Evidently the motion activated the step count and the heart beat came off my leg, as if it were my wrist. Not an entirely obtrusive solution, and it worked!