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Yes, Fitbit Trackers can work on Treadmills. But in order to obtain accurate or near-accurate results you would have to turn off GPS and set the health tracker on treadmill mode(if available).
Does Fitbit Count Steps On Treadmill?
All of us are aware of Fitbit’s quality.
They are at the top of the Fitness tracking Industry for a long time now. If you would ever have to buy a Fitbit it is safe to assume your choices won’t be confined to a few options.
Founded in 2007 Fitbit has a vast portfolio of wireless trackers and smartwatches. Yes, in the end, you should make a decision based on your needs. If your need is to take Fitbit to the gym and measure your vitals.
The whole Fitbit pantheon is there for you waiting!
“But I heard Fitbit’s are not accurate on treadmill? Why should I spend my money on it?”
Well, whoever it is asking, you heard it wrong, or partially wrong, or almost wrong. While it is true you might notice indifference between numbers on the treadmill and your Fitbit, there is a cause for it.
And that cause has solutions!
“My Fitbit Is Not Counting Steps Properly On Treadmill?”
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t like to go to the Gym, but for the sake of testing my Fitbit Versa 3, and writing this answer for you, I did do it.
“How did it go?”
Well, I didn’t like the receptionist there, but it’s okay, my goals were too ambitious for him to understand anyway. I tried the treadmill for 30 minutes twice with a break in between and these were my results:
| Tries | Treadmill | Fitbit Versa 3 |
| First Try | 3457 | 3340 |
| Second Try | 2980 | 2799 |
It’s evident from the results above there is indeed a tracking problem, because we have no reason to doubt the treadmill. It’s 99.5% accurate.
Fitbits on the other hand might have a little issue that needs fixing. Because we know that from testing that it is not the first place where Fitbit model breaks apart a bit. Both heart rate and calories burned as well VO2 Max metrics equally suffer from this brand of Fitbit justice.
You see your Fitbit uses a variety of data metrics to reach a certain conclusion:
- Pace
- Resting Heartbeat
- Sleep Time
- Speed
- Calories Burned
However, quite often what bogs the results down is there is a certain element in our surroundings, or at times our own movement that leads the sensors to woeful results. For sure, we can’t be always too cautious you can understand a few factors that influence the results.
GPS: Treadmill’s Tracking Worst Enemy
GPS is used to locate your position, and record how far you have traveled, or have to travel from point A to B. However, when it comes to the treadmill it is neither needed nor it’s welcome.
Since you aren’t changing position on a treadmill a GPS tracker can confuse Fitbit and lead to inadequate results. Hence it is very important for getting accurate results your Fitbit has turned off the GPS.
How can you do that is a different story, and we will show you. For now, keep it in mind, okay?
Calibration: It Really Matters
Despite their feeble size and stature Fitbit smartwatches are the product of complex engineering. They might seem like cute little bands with screens, and stylish bands, you can never deny their greatness in terms of body analytics.
Therefore it is for this reason that you have to treat them as such. The vitals they are able to track, and insights they are able to provide, it doesn’t happen magically. There are many sensors behind the scenes that work hard to capture the data for you. The same sensors also require timely maintenance (calibration) to keep up with the task.
Do you do that? If not don’t be surprised when you see the difference in ratings.
Strides: March To Measure
Okay, so I have seen many people miss this simple fact: When you are on a treadmill your strides are meant to be smaller than what it would be while walking.
Like its common sense people!!!
So if you are going to not let your tracker consider about it, how can you expect it to be completely accurate? Yes, it is modern art and proof of innovation of 21st century, it is still a machine! Machines can never make their own decisions (ignore ChatGPT for now) for now.
5 Techniques To Ensure 100% Fitbit Treadmill Tracking Results!
Let’s look at the ways you can improve the effective index of your Fitbit trackers. Regardless of its series and other functions, all Fitbit trackers are capable to measure steps. So we know that it is possible on many if not all Fitbit trackers. By the way if you are finding it hard to recognize which kind of Fitbit do you have, feel free to check our guide on it.
Fitbit Treadmill Mode
The first option you should opt for better results is to make sure your Fitbit tracker has the ‘Treadmill Mode’ available on the tracker. Although in case you find it is not there, you can add it by simply following these steps
- Go to Settings in Fitbit application.
- Click on ‘Exercise’
- There you’d probably see 6 predefined options, delete one of them, and add ‘Treadmill Mode’ in place of it.
- Check your tracker now you would have it available on the go.
Note: Depending on the series you’re using method could vary, but the basis remains the same.
Another Note: If you can’t recognize the Treadmill Mode here is our guide of Fitbit Symbols and their Meaning!
Treadmill Mode makes sure your tracker has its GPS functionality turned off, leading to better and much-improved results.
Dominant vs Non-Dominant Arm
All of us have one dominant arm.
One on which we rely the most to do basic stuff, and that basic stuff can be anything, from writing to eating to waving. Like it is not a mystery to find out your dominant arm, most people are right-handed so it means their dominant arm is right-hand.
Anyways…
My point is if you want your Fitbit trackers to show better efficiency while you are on a treadmill. Make sure you have the tracker wrapped around your dominant arm.
It will help!
Calibrated Strides Goes A Long Way
As I mentioned before, it’s important for you to inform Fitbit trackers of your stride length. It wouldn’t have been needed for regular walking, but for the treadmill, it is.
So here is what you are going to do:
- Open Fitbit application.
- Go to ‘Today’ tab.
- Click on profile picture and then to ‘Account Settings.’
- Navigate to ‘Activity and Wellness.’
- There you would see ‘Exercises.’ Open it and you’ll find ‘Stride length.’
- Add the walking and running stride length.
Walking stride is for well walking. Whereas as you’d be running on a treadmill, the data you are feeding Fitbit for running is going to be used when you’d be on the treadmill.
Fair enough?
On The Ankle Whenever Needed
This might sound obnoxious but you can try having Fitbit on your ankle to test accuracy. While you’re on treadmill ankles are in constant motion, and Fitbit happens to loves the constant motion.
Yeah, due to it, you might not be able to measure other metrics like heartbeat. If you’d act smart and place the Fitbit near your vein then maybe even that wouldn’t be a problem.
Think about it.
Hand Movement Matters
If you are someone who loves to rock with Fitbit and have them on your arms 24/7, you should try this little thing:
KEEP MOVING YOUR ARM LIKE MANIAC!!!!
Okay, maybe I got carried away there. But seriously, it helps. Lots of people on treadmills rest their arms on the sides and it leads Fitbit to the conclusion that you are not moving.
This in turn leads to unsavory results, and it make sense why?
Fitbit has sensors in place to capture, analyze, and decide using the data. If those sensors would be misled, there is no wonder they’ll do not a very good job.
Do Fitness Trackers Work On Treadmills: Fitbit Does!
If I have to answer in one word: Yes.
Fitbit can work on Treadmill.
The only condition is you have made sure everything is in the right place and mode to get the best out of your tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turn on the Treadmill Mode and began running. It is not rocket science.
Yes. Fitbit trackers come with a Treadmill Mode for you to use while running on one.
There is no number to define accuracy, but given you are following the best practices I’d say 99%.
Fitbit uses a variety of data from its sensors to calculate the steps.
We believe in providing information worthy of being read by you. Which makes it our duty to keep helping you in finding the right answers.
