Comments on: Fitbit Accuracy For Counting Running Steps

By: mlmm2000

mlmm2000 — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 23:13:02 +0000

I have the Surge, and have the same issue. The people at FitBit told me to track my strides manually and that would be the way to be most accurate. My experience with both Garmin and Polar were that they were consistently more accurate, but obviously without all of the fun features.

By: zolar

zolar — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:09:35 +0000

maybe I’ll try to buy one

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:02:08 +0000

In reply to Thor Knudsen.

I just got a FlipBelt for my iPhone – comes in black and colors – wear it around your hips and your phone plus ID or key can also go in. I like it very much. Easy access and no movement.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:00:36 +0000

In reply to Thor Knudsen.

Thor,

I just got a FlipBelt for my iPhone – comes in black and colors – wear it around your hips and your phone plus ID or key can also go in. I like it very much. Easy access and no movement.

By: Stephanie G

Stephanie G — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:47:28 +0000

I have the same problem! I have the One and it is amazing…except when it comes to running. For my 8-9 mile runs, I’ve noticed it only shows up as ~7 miles; sometimes more, sometimes less. I’ve tried attaching it to my waistband and also attaching it to the top of my sports bra (which I realize you probably can’t do

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:03:17 +0000

In reply to Damon. The other issue will be that if you speed up or slow down, or run on different terrain than when you calibrated, the measures will be off as well.

By: Damon

Damon — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 14:03:31 +0000

In reply to Karoline.

Karoline-

The fitbit, and all pedometers, calculate the distance based on the measured steps and your stride length. Since you run with a Garmin, you can use that distance to calculate your stride length (distance divided by steps, and convert the result into feet and inches). Plug this number into the settings in Fitbit’s web page.

Of course, it may also be missing steps, which means that your calculation for stride length would be too big.

By: Karoline

Karoline — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 20:39:48 +0000

I wear my Zip on my waistband while running and it is always under the distance measured by my Garmin which I know is accurate. I ran 8 miles over the weekend and the Fitbit only counted steps for 6.9 miles. I just don’t think it can turn over fast enough. I’ll try it in another location. It’s great for walking and other activities, though.

By: Damon

Damon — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 02:29:00 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson. Thanks, Peter. When my FitBit dies, I will look into it. I am so tied into the FitBit universe, that I don't know if I could switch!

By: Damon

Damon — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:34:27 +0000

In reply to Damon. After reading the comments here, I tried running with my Zip in different locations. On one day, I held my Zip in my right hand and my old iPod nano in my left hand. While better, the Zip still undercounted my steps. The iPod appears to have counted only half my steps. I like to run with a Halo headband, which is tight enough that I can tuck my Zip inside. Running with the Zip on my head resulted in a step count that looks reasonable. It was the first time I have ever seen my Zip record enough steps to show that I had a pace of 180 steps per minute.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:03:03 +0000

In reply to Damon. I've been using a Garmin Vivofit for several months now and it has been much more accurate at tracking running steps.

By: Damon

Damon — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:11:42 +0000

I have been using my zip for about a year, and recently decided to use it as a tool to track my progress in in erasing my pace. The funny thing is that as my actual pace went from about 150 steps per minute to 180, my zip records a drop from 150 to about 130 steps per minute. So I attribute part of the inaccuracy to the smoother motion that comes from not over striding.

I keep mine in the pocket at my waist while jogging. Will try different locations next. I also compared my zip with my wife’s fitbit One. Put both of them in my waist pocket. Got essentially the same wrong results.