A Fitbit is a piece of technology that users can wear on their wrist to track their daily steps, heart rate, and other data. Lots of people are buying Fitbits to track their indoor workouts. However, many of them are unsure does Fitbit devices work on their treadmill or not?
Manufacturers have designed Fitbits to motivate people by measuring their progress toward their health and fitness goals. These devices enable users to track their progress during exercise and analyze the data via the Fitbit smartphone app.
In this article, we will answer the question-Does Fitbit work on the treadmill?
Before going too deep into the title does fitbit work on the treadmill, let us give a chance to introduce fitbit and it’s benefits in a nut shell.
Table of Contents
What is a Fitbit?
Fitbit is a collective term for a variety of devices manufactured by Fitbit, Inc., an American firm.
You wear it around your wrist like other trackers. However, some come with clips. You put these in your pocket and they detect movement. You can wear your Fitbit tracker throughout the day. You can even use it while exercising.
A Fitbit can also be used for a variety of other purposes, depending on the model.
- Keeping track of sleeping patterns
- Monitoring and tracking their heart rate
- Tracking their blood oxygen levels
- GPS tracking while exercising
- Storing and listening to music
- Receiving call and text notifications
Does Fitbit Work On Treadmill?
Fitbit is the most advanced smartwatch on the market, equipped with the most powerful sensors and up to date software to track your workouts on a treadmill. Surprisingly, most Fitbit watches offer treadmill settings that track your indoor workouts automatically. It uses different sensors to track your direction and speed of movements to track various activities.
Some have GPS built-in, which is useful for tracking your jogging, walking, or cycling. Fitbit will also capture the following information while you are on the treadmill-
- Your speed
- Total distance traveled
- Heartbeats per minute
- Number of calories you burn on the treadmill
- BMI (body mass index)
- Weight
How to Connect Fitbit to Treadmill?
If the treadmill mode is not shown on your Fitbit device, you can install it to yourself. It’s pretty simple and straightforward; you can do it using the Fitbit app. On the Fitbit app, go to the setup section, and then to the exercise shortcuts section. Select Treadmill as your exercise mode.
Additionally, you can add a widget to your primary dial to facilitate access to treadmill mode.
However, I’ve seen that the majority of Fitbit trackers can automatically track the Treadmill.
How Does Fitbit Track Treadmill Exercise?
Fitbit is equipped with a powerful accelerometer and sensors that track your running by observing the movements of your hands. Similarly, the majority of high-end Fitbits include a pedometer that measures steps on a treadmill, which is far too accurate.
If you want to get better results on a treadmill, you should move your hands normally rather than keeping your hands on the handlebars of the treadmill. When you run with your hands on the bar, Fitbit won’t be able to track your progress. Remember to wear Fitbit on your non-dominant hand because we move our dominant hand more frequently than the non-dominant hand.
There is a significant difference between walking on the ground and walking on a treadmill. I recommend activating treadmill mode on your Fitbit; this forces sensors to track this activity.
Does Fitbit Accurately Tracks Your Treadmill?
When you’re trying to track your steps while walking or jogging on a treadmill, the treadmill reading and the Fitbit reading can sometimes differ. In such cases, your Treadmill has the best opportunity of producing more precise readings.
As I previously stated, not moving hands could be the primary cause of the inaccuracy in this scenario. Second, if your Fitbit is under- or over-reported, you should calibrate it with your treadmill strides.
Here’s a step-by-step instruction to calibrating your Fitbit for treadmill use. I hope this information is useful.
Remember to wear your Fitbit on your non-dominant hand because we tend to move our dominant hand more than our non-dominant hand when we are walking or running. As a result, the Fitbit will track all of your movements as steps and you’ll get inaccurate readings.
Best Fitbits For Treadmill
If you are truly committed to purchasing the best fitbits for treadmill attentively read the evaluations:.
Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced: Editor's Choice Best Fitbit for Treadmill
Key Features:
- Compatible Devices: Smartphones
- Built-in GPS
- Color touchscreen
- EDA (Electrodermal Activity) sensor
- ECG (Electrocardiogram) apps
- 20 exercise modes
- Active Zone Minutes (AZM)
- Sleep tracking and smart alarm
- Battery Life: 7 days
Fitbit Charge 5 advanced has been included to our list of top-ranking fitbit for treadmill as a result of the positive feedback received from customers. It is one of the latest and most advanced health and fitness tracker from Fitbit.
It has an ECG monitor to keep track of your heart health. With an ECG app you can evaluates your heart for atrial fibrillation — a heart rhythm irregularity. Fitbit Premium allows you to track and save these stats, as well as share them with your doctor.
It comes with an on-wrist EDA sensor that monitors minute variations in your skin’s perspiration level, which signals your body’s reaction to stress. Another valuable feature is Sp02 monitoring. It monitors the amount of oxygen in your blood to see whether there are any signs of significant changes in your general health.
It is equipped with 20 workout options for setting personal goals for runs, rides, strength training, and more. In addition, using this tracker, you can see your real-time pace and distance without utilizing your phone’s built-in GPS during outdoor activity.
Overall, this is a fantastic fitbit tracker for treadmill that is a bit more expensive than some of the other fitbits on this list. But, we are confident to say that you will get value for your money.
PROS:
- Long battery life
- Loaded with various smart functions
- Contains a vibrant color display that is two times brighter Charge 4
- Keep track of your heart health
- Doesn’t have any problem when sweating a lot during an exercise
CONS:
- Quite pricey
- Need fitbit premium (sold separately) to access all features
Fitbit Charge 4: Best Value Fitbit Tracker for Treadmill
Key Features:
- Compatible Devices: Smartphones
- Screen Size: 1.5 Inches
- Sensor Type: Wearable
- Built-in GPS
- Swimproof and water resistant
- Sleep tracking and smart alarm
- Battery Life: 7 days
If you’re looking for a fitbit tracker that offers tracking of both indoor and outdoor running, go no further than the Fitbit Charge 4 fitness and activity tracker. It is a wonderful tracker for anyone who are interested in fitness.
It includes a dedicated treadmill mode that records your steps on the treadmill as well as other important health metrics. It has a built-in GPS that lets you track your pace, distance traveled, number of steps taken, and route even when you’re not connected to your phone.
On top of everything, this sleek, waterproof tracker is loaded with features that will help you better understand your workouts and your body, such as active zone Minutes, Sp02, exercise modes, and sleep tracking.
It’s true that big things come in small packages! It fulfills all the requirements you are looking for. What else do you need in this price?
PROS:
- Excellent for both indoor and outdoor running
- Elegant design and user-friendly interface
- Allow you to listen to music online (Spotify, Pandora, and Deezer)
- Can track resting heart rate & better measure calorie burn
- Real-time workout tracking with 20+ goal-based exercise modes
CONS:
- No music library
Fitbit Inspire 2: Best Budget Fitbit for Treadmill
Key Features:
- Compatible Devices: Smartphones
- Active Zone Minutes (AZM)
- 20 plus exercise modes
- Water resistant
- Heart rate monitor
- Activity and sleep tracker
- Battery Life: 10 days
Really, we could not resist ourselves to capture this awesome product in our top list of best fitbits for treadmill after analyzing its excellent features within affordable price (below $100). If you’re on a tight budget and looking for something low-profile, this is a perfect alternative.
Fitbit Inspire 2 functions as a dependable step counter, distance runner, sleep monitor, and activity reminder. It allows you to get messages and notifications, as well as answer incoming calls, without using your phone.
Additionally, it is also capable of functioning as an accurate heart rate monitor and a device for managing stress. The device also includes Active Zone Minutes, which vibrate your wrist when your heart rate reaches a target heart rate zones.
This small tracker is powerful and can work for up to 10 days on a single charge. It is also waterproof and can work correctly even when submerged in water up to 50 meters (164 feet) deep.
It comes with a free one-year trial of the easy-to-use Fitbit app, which you can use to track your health data. It also allows you to connect your Fitbit to your smartphone.
This product doesn’t have the newer, more advanced features that Fitbit offers, but this may not be a deal breaker for certain fitness enthusiastic.
PROS:
- User-friendly and highly affordable option
- Can use it as a fitness tracker, a pedometer, a sleep tracker, and more
- Offers free 1-year fitbit premium trial
- Has excellent battery life
- Can use it to take calls and messages
CONS:
- No ECG, EDA, or Sp02
How to Choose the Best Fitbits for Treadmill?
The following are the most important factors to consider while purchasing a Fitbit for seniors:
Durability: All electronic products, such as Fitbits or smartwatches, must be durable. Many consumers may find it unaffordable to purchase a new device annually due to the high cost of these products.
User friendliness: It is one of the most important considerations you need to make when selecting an interface for the device. A hard-to-use Fitbit is not a good choice if you have trouble getting used to new technology.
Comfort: You should also think about how comfortable the watch is to wear for long periods of time. Fitbits are wearable devices, which means you must have them on you to reap their full benefits.
Features: Fitbits are accurate fitness monitors with built-in GPS and powerful processors. However, the most expensive versions include a wide range of health functions such as sleep monitors and stress management programs. So, if you want a Fitbit, you should make sure it has the features you need.
Final Words
In the area of fitness, Fitbit devices are unquestionably among the best-performing products available. Purchasing such a device does not imply that you are getting fit; it is only a show of commitment. So, you need to work through, to reach your goals.
Take a look at the exercises you can do with your Fitbit. When it comes to the treadmill, make sure you use the appropriate setting. If you set it appropriately, you can get reliable results.
If you believe your Fitbit’s results are being underreported, restart it. If the problem persists, try manually entering your exercise data, changing your stride setting, or changing your wrist placement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Fitbit Track Treadmill Steps?
The majority of wearables fitbit capture your movement and measure your steps using an accelerometer. Fitbit has a wide range of fitness trackers, but the most recent Fitbit model includes a “treadmill mode” that records steps and heart rate. If your stride length is adjusted appropriately, fitbit can accurately track treadmill steps.
How Do I Improve the Accuracy of Fitbit Steps?
- Wear your Fitbit on the arm you don’t use most.
- Put your tracker next to your skin, not on top of your clothes.
Which Fitbits Have Treadmill Mode?
The Fitbit is one of the most effective fitness tracker devices for calculating the number of steps and miles covered on a treadmill. The majority of Fitbits today include a treadmill mode. These are the following:
- Fitbit Charge 4 and 5
- Fitbit Luxe
- Fitbit Inspire HR
- Fitbit Flex
- Fitbit Charge HR
- Fitbit Sense
- Fitbit Versa 1 and 2
How to Put on Fitbit Correctly?
The operation of each model varies just a little bit from the others. Here’s some general guidelines to wear your Fitbit.
- Securely fastened your Fitbit on your wrist. Having a loose fit will lead to additional steps or miscalculations.
- Don’t wear your Fitbit on top of clothing or in close proximity to other accessories like armbands or bracelets.
- Set your Fitbit to clip mode when you use a clip to attach it to your clothing.
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