topic Re: FITBIT Step question.... in Wellness

FITBIT Step question....

sarahpanda — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:14:11 GMT

I recently got a FitBit - but I don't understand why it counted me as having done 25 steps while standing still, putting pillow cases on. How accurate is this thing, anyway??? It counted my steps while I was playing the piano also...I'm confused !

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Laura14 — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:19:58 GMT

If you move your wrist in a certain way, I have personally found it sometimes thinks you are swinging them as you walk rather than just moving as you would in other non-walking motions.

I use mine as a guesstimate. I find it doesn't count all my steps all the time and sometimes I have to walk 20 steps to make up the 10 I am actually missing to get my hourly total in.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

sarahpanda — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:25:23 GMT

Wouldn't it be a smarter idea to make a FitBit that straps to one's ankle? That way , if you are standing still , it wouldn't be counting ''steps'' - like piano playing or pillowcase changing...

Re: FITBIT Step question....

redwingsgal — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:25:24 GMT

I agree with @Laura14. I work in an office and I type all day and sometimes mine counts the typing as steps! Be careful though, when pushing a grocery cart or stoller, put it in a pocket, if your arms do not move, it will not count those steps!!

Re: FITBIT Step question....

x Hedge — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:20:53 GMT

Step counters have always been approximate, as they are activated by movement rather than actual steps. I've had a few that clipped onto a pocket or waistband that were pretty accurate. (The cheapest was one buck at the dollar store).
My brother had one that he secured to his shoe. That was the most accurate one. And the location allowed him to forget about it until the end of each day.
Never understood a step counter worn on the wrist. Must be the other Fitbit features that makes that compromise preferable, since it's meant to be worn where you can look at it all the time.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

jackthebear — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:45:20 GMT

wrote:
Step counters have always been approximate, as they are activated by movement rather than actual steps. I've had a few that clipped onto a pocket or waistband that were pretty accurate. (The cheapest was one buck at the dollar store).
My brother had one that he secured to his shoe. That was the most accurate one. And the location allowed him to forget about it until the end of each day.
Never understood a step counter worn on the wrist. Must be the other Fitbit features that makes that compromise preferable, since it's meant to be worn where you can look at it all the time.

one of the reasons that I am holding on to my Fitbit One as long as I can, it clips to a bra/waistband. They discontinued and many customers are not happy

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Abrowneyegirl — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:01 GMT

My aunt gets 15,000+ steps a day.......she sits all day playing cards!

For those who walk it is a good reminder of your daily steps or to measure distance walked.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

SeaMaiden — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 01:47:55 GMT

wrote:
Wouldn't it be a smarter idea to make a FitBit that straps to one's ankle? That way , if you are standing still , it wouldn't be counting ''steps'' - like piano playing or pillowcase changing...

@sarahpanda I wear mine on my ankle. Have for years. It gives me a very accurate count. I put a sport band people use on their wrists over it to cover it.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Mmsfoxxie — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 01:23:57 GMT

For reasons mentioned, I don't look at my Fitbit as a step counter so much as I look at it as a 'movement' counter. Counting my movements (arms and feet) is burning energy which is my purpose. If you can't walk, does that mean you shouldn't wear a Fitbit on your arm?

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Nightowlz — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 19:34:51 GMT

LOL!!! The same reason I wake up in the morning with more steps on mine then was there when I went to bed. Last night at midnight it reset to 0. I went to be with 37 steps. Woke up this morning with just under 200. Must be from all my tossing & turning all night. I guess it's movement.

It adds steps when I use the recumbent bike & pilates chair.

As far as walking steps & being what I walked it's pretty much right. I have counted & checked as walking to see. It was always right when I counted & checked.

I have not noticed mine adding any steps while sitting.

I'm tired today since I have not slept good all week. I need to get moving I'm only just over 5000 steps today & it's getting late in the day.

I wonder if I have not been sleeping good all week because I have been walking thru the house on/off all day for the past week. LOL!!!

Mine came up this morning showing my Cardio Range was between good & very good for my age etc. I was surprised. I figured I was probably average at best.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Nightowlz — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 19:30:31 GMT

wrote:
Wouldn't it be a smarter idea to make a FitBit that straps to one's ankle? That way , if you are standing still , it wouldn't be counting ''steps'' - like piano playing or pillowcase changing...

@sarahpanda The way I look at it changing the sheets on the bed is exercise & Fitbit should add some steps for that movement. I want those steps added as I'm doing laundry plus other house cleaning.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Mmsfoxxie — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:17:44 GMT

That's the way I see it @Nightowlz. The objective of the Fitbit is to remind you to keep moving, not necessarily making steps. Sometimes my exercise class includes chair exercises moving my legs and arms. Depending on the movements and how fast we move, I'm more tired than walking. I sweat a lot even though I'm in a chair. Energy is being used. I wish the company would promote movement rather than saying steps.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Nightowlz — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:42:29 GMT

wrote:
That's the way I see it @Nightowlz. The objective of the Fitbit is to remind you to keep moving, not necessarily making steps. Sometimes my exercise class includes chair exercises moving my legs and arms. Depending on the movements and how fast we move, I'm more tired than walking. I sweat a lot even though I'm in a chair. Energy is being used. I wish the company would promote movement rather than saying steps.

@Mmsfoxxie ITA. I want my exercise to count when I do it not just the steps I walk.

I was tired yesterday & did not think I would get enough done. I passed the 10,000 steps which included my recumbent bike & pilates chair I like to use.

That walking sure makes my thighs start burning after walking really fast.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 21:05:19 GMT

Lol, @Nightowlz, yes, I'll bet your thighs did burn. Same with the arms...especially if the movements include light weights.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

Nightowlz — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 21:12:10 GMT

wrote:
Lol, @Nightowlz, yes, I'll bet your thighs did burn. Same with the arms...especially if the movements include light weights.

@Mmsfoxxie Great Idea. Don't know why I did not think of that. I have smaller weights I can use while walking. Just got finished with 2500 steps. Had to stop for a few mins since my thighs are burning. At least I'm up to 8500.

Re: FITBIT Step question....

wagirl — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:54:13 GMT

So I got a fitbit a few months ago---thought I was really doing well with the many thousands of "steps" it was counting---until you realize that it is counting your arm movements not actual steps-----kind of a rip off, in my mind. So I strapped the thing to my ankle and what do you know---not the thousands of steps in a day; more like the real hundreds of steps I actually take.Now that's not a bad thing--- It still does your heartbeat on your ankle and I like it for the sleep info but for the $$ I paid and the mis infomation about it---would not have bought it. Also I haven't set it up to moniter any exercises or the other bells and whistles mine has, drinking water and such. Meh!!!

Amazon - Ankle band for fit bit....

sarahpanda — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 11:16:41 GMT

They make an ankle band that you put your Fitbit inside - to wear around your ankle !

Who KNEW !!! Sold on Amazon.com...called 'Ankle Band for Fitbit' ..and sells for $9.99. Nothing but 5 star reviews !