Cardio fitness score female vs male

[Teej77]

Hi all, new to Fitbit.  I am a 50 year old transsexual woman who completed transition (sex reassignment surgery and such) twenty years ago.  Now I’m just another flipping soccer mom raising kids in the suburbs. Lol.  I have been on estrogen, estrone, progesterone, basic hormone replacement therapy for twenty years and have not had testosterone for as long as I “lost” the equipment that produces it, lol.  So to be clear, male/xy body, but female hormones and sexual development based on the long-term effects of those hormones.

To get my accurate cardio fitness level, do I need to select male or female?  The answer would depend on whether it’s driven by chromosomes (I am xy) or sex hormones.

It makes a huge difference in the cardio fitness level.  If I tell Fitbit I am female, I’m in good shape for my age (and truthfully I feel I’m in pretty good shape) but if I say male, just average.

Thanks!

[LZeeW]

@Teej77   My background is physiology.  You should check female.  Without a doubt.  There is one other thing to consider when you check female.  Males and females have different torso/leg length promotions.  Your Fitbit calculated stride lengths will probably be off.  If your daily and lifetime distances are important to you, then you should calculate your walking and running stride lengths.  Do this manually on a marked distance and count your steps.  Do not use GPS.  It doesn't have pinpoint accuracy.  If these aren't important to you, then don't bother.

[Teej77]

Thanks for that Laurie!  I’d actually wondered about putting in manual stride lengths for that reason and than said to myself the gps will cover it, so that is great information to know. Have a fantastic day!

[LZeeW]

@Teej77   I see that you are a new user.  I have regular routes that I walk, so I don't use GPS on any of them.  I just use the steps x stride length distance.  As you use your Fitbit, just keep an eye on your steps and distance.  We all have reasons why we might take small steps and sometimes take longer steps.  You only need to adjust it if it doesn't seem right.  Everything is an estimate.  I try not to micromanage my data.