Logging exercise with FitBit Charge HR
cequirke
Posts: 2
Hello all. I've just purchased a new FitBit Charge HR, and connected it up with MyFitnessPal.
Each day I'm getting a FitBit calorie adjustment, which is fine, but I'm wondering about logging specific exercise (mostly Zumba) and how this will affect the daily adjustment. Each time I do a class, I use the Exercise mode to get the data.
Should I log the specific exercise and details in MFP, or will it double account it?
TIA!
Each day I'm getting a FitBit calorie adjustment, which is fine, but I'm wondering about logging specific exercise (mostly Zumba) and how this will affect the daily adjustment. Each time I do a class, I use the Exercise mode to get the data.
Should I log the specific exercise and details in MFP, or will it double account it?
TIA!
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Replies
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Food, water intake on mfp, exercise on fitbit. The food, water intake will transfer to fitbit, same as any weight adjustments done on mfp.
Your total exercise for the day will transfer over from fitbit to mfp. So you really don't need to track your exercise on mfp.
I now use both apps lol!
It took me a week to adjust not logging my exercise on mfp. I like the website over the app for fibit!
If you have any other questions just send me a message. I have the charge hr as well.0 -
Thanks 2zzjay, that really helps! I've found the section in fitbit where I can change the name of the 'workout' to whatever I want.
I think it will take a little getting used to, but much more accurate that my old guessing game!0 -
After you get adjusted I think you will like it
Another tip! turn of the hrm on the charge when not needed! I have done that and I have gotten over 7 days battery life. Tomorrow I will probably have to charge my fitbit.0 -
my fitbit charge HR is suppose to arrive on Tuesday so i have been trying to read up on how to link every thing. the directions had said that if i do a work on such as elliptical tanning i should report my start time on MFP are you saying don't bother with that, or should i still do it. im thinking it will be easier to understand when i actuly have my fitbit. Im just trying to research as much as i can so i get the most out of it. @2zzjay0
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The purpose of the HRM devices is to remove the need to worry about non-step based workouts.
Don't have to log anything but weight lifting - because HRM will inflate those calories actually.
And as mentioned above - log on Fitbit, as they use the database of exercises better.0 -
Don't have to log anything but weight lifting - because HRM will inflate those calories actually.
I am thinking about getting the Charge HR specifically for this purpose. (More accuracy on calories burned during non-step activities like weight training.) So why do you feel the HRM is inflating the calories burned? Please and thank you!
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On the FitBit community site there is a lot of discussion about whether or not the HR actually counts your HR in the calories burned.
If you manually enter an exercise it shows the same amount of calories burned as the Workout mode, so it appears that HR isn't being counted, BUT if you go to the dashboard and look at the HR chart you can clearly see where the extra calories are being accounted for.
I think what happened is FitBit is counting them, but just in two different spots.
Does that make sense?0 -
my fitbit charge HR is suppose to arrive on Tuesday so i have been trying to read up on how to link every thing. the directions had said that if i do a work on such as elliptical tanning i should report my start time on MFP are you saying don't bother with that, or should i still do it. im thinking it will be easier to understand when i actuly have my fitbit. Im just trying to research as much as i can so i get the most out of it. @2zzjay
I will play around with this today, see how it shows up on mfp/fitbit. From reading other threads lots of other users track exercise on fibit, the total amount of exercise will transfer over to mfp at the end of the night.
You also have to make sure time zone is the same on both apps, plus make sure your mfp set to sedentary. Any more questions just sent me a message0 -
Just tired it, missed up my fitbit calcualtion on mfp for saturday after messing with start times on mfp.
So for me I will go back to what I have been doing. What others have been doing and only logging exercise on fitbit site/app. Total calories burned will transfer back to mfp at the end of the day.0 -
The FitBit exercise transfers to MFP throughout the day.0
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Thanks 2zzjay, that really helps! I've found the section in fitbit where I can change the name of the 'workout' to whatever I want.
Actually, for now, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, change the name of your workout using the FitBit Dashboard. There is a bug. You may be able to get away with it if you exercise in the morning, but if you exercise in the afternoon and then change the name of the workout, it changes the time to AM from PM and uses whatever data was logged at that time (i.e. sleeping). They're working on a fix but it is taking a lot longer than I would expect for some reason.
If you use the iPhone app (I have an Android), you may be able to change it with that. I have an Android, but I think I saw someone say they could change the workout name on their iPhone without having it get messed up.0 -
I track workouts in fitbit but I don't put a workout note in myfitness pal just for reference.0
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Thanks for your comments! I put them on my blogpost so that I have a central note for myself, http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/GlobalhawkDE/view/fitbit-charge-hr-ordered-7292800
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ThintasticSpirit wrote: »Don't have to log anything but weight lifting - because HRM will inflate those calories actually.
I am thinking about getting the Charge HR specifically for this purpose. (More accuracy on calories burned during non-step activities like weight training.) So why do you feel the HRM is inflating the calories burned? Please and thank you!
Not me, just a fact.
The only correlation between HR and calories burned is aerobic exercise, where the HR must increase to provide more oxygen to burn more fat/carbs.
With a few stats, or guestimating those stats, you can decently calculate calorie burn based on HR. Though, even there, there are several expected reasons for inflated HR during aerobic exercise that leads to inflated calorie burn too. And if the stats aren't correct, usually inflated also.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/459580-polar-hrm-calorie-burn-estimate-accuracy-study
But lifting, and intervals, if done right, is anaerobic, not aerobic. The increase in HR is not for the reasons if increased oxygen for burning fuel, in fact what you use doesn't even require oxygen to burn. And as you stand there recovering between sets, with a high HR slowly coming down, it's totally elevated for how much effort is really required to just stand or sit there.
Probably normal HR standing is 70-80. But after that lift for 1-3 min, it's drifting slowly down from 160 say to almost reaching 100. So that entire time it's higher than actually needed for the calories being burned just standing there.
And the 1 minute during the exercise up at 160 or higher say, again isn't related to the need for increased oxygen.
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On the FitBit community site there is a lot of discussion about whether or not the HR actually counts your HR in the calories burned.
If you manually enter an exercise it shows the same amount of calories burned as the Workout mode, so it appears that HR isn't being counted, BUT if you go to the dashboard and look at the HR chart you can clearly see where the extra calories are being accounted for.
I think what happened is FitBit is counting them, but just in two different spots.
Does that make sense?
No.
If you go and create an activity record for that start and end time, it pulls the stats out from the daily stats for just that block and displays them.
If you pushed the button to create an activity record you did exactly the same thing.
If you both, they should match if you manually entered the correct time.
Now, go and Log Activities, where you provide start and duration time, and either enter your own calories as option, or leave whatever Fitbit came up with.
Well, if you don't manually enter your own - of course what Fitbit keeps is going to match.0 -
Thanks 2zzjay, that really helps! I've found the section in fitbit where I can change the name of the 'workout' to whatever I want.
Actually, for now, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, change the name of your workout using the FitBit Dashboard. There is a bug. You may be able to get away with it if you exercise in the morning, but if you exercise in the afternoon and then change the name of the workout, it changes the time to AM from PM and uses whatever data was logged at that time (i.e. sleeping). They're working on a fix but it is taking a lot longer than I would expect for some reason.
If you use the iPhone app (I have an Android), you may be able to change it with that. I have an Android, but I think I saw someone say they could change the workout name on their iPhone without having it get messed up.
That's been that way for over a year - I don't think it's a bug.
When you edit a routine, the time just goes back to am. Merely need to remember to change it back to pm.
And that's true no matter what you edit.
Also, if you are changing the name of an activity record, which is merely viewing the stats for the block of time - no big deal. You'll just be viewing the wrong time and stats.
And there is no way to change the name of a Logged workout, the name is whatever the activity was, like spin, or biking, ect. Those are the ones that editing and not correcting am back to pm could cause extra calories since you likely entered a calorie burn.0 -
Thanks 2zzjay, that really helps! I've found the section in fitbit where I can change the name of the 'workout' to whatever I want.
Actually, for now, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, change the name of your workout using the FitBit Dashboard. There is a bug. You may be able to get away with it if you exercise in the morning, but if you exercise in the afternoon and then change the name of the workout, it changes the time to AM from PM and uses whatever data was logged at that time (i.e. sleeping). They're working on a fix but it is taking a lot longer than I would expect for some reason.
If you use the iPhone app (I have an Android), you may be able to change it with that. I have an Android, but I think I saw someone say they could change the workout name on their iPhone without having it get messed up.
I workout in the morning. Iphone app working okay. But thanks for the heads up!
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On the FitBit community site there is a lot of discussion about whether or not the HR actually counts your HR in the calories burned.
If you manually enter an exercise it shows the same amount of calories burned as the Workout mode, so it appears that HR isn't being counted, BUT if you go to the dashboard and look at the HR chart you can clearly see where the extra calories are being accounted for.
I think what happened is FitBit is counting them, but just in two different spots.
Does that make sense?
No.
If you go and create an activity record for that start and end time, it pulls the stats out from the daily stats for just that block and displays them.
If you pushed the button to create an activity record you did exactly the same thing.
If you both, they should match if you manually entered the correct time.
Now, go and Log Activities, where you provide start and duration time, and either enter your own calories as option, or leave whatever Fitbit came up with.
Well, if you don't manually enter your own - of course what Fitbit keeps is going to match.
If what you say is true, then FitBit did lie to us about counting HR in the activities. Because the Activity mode shows the same calorie burn for activities that I manually logged (after I washed my One) weeks before I got the HR.
But if I go look at the HR chart for that same time period, it does show more calories burned.0 -
Thanks 2zzjay, that really helps! I've found the section in fitbit where I can change the name of the 'workout' to whatever I want.
Actually, for now, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, change the name of your workout using the FitBit Dashboard. There is a bug. You may be able to get away with it if you exercise in the morning, but if you exercise in the afternoon and then change the name of the workout, it changes the time to AM from PM and uses whatever data was logged at that time (i.e. sleeping). They're working on a fix but it is taking a lot longer than I would expect for some reason.
If you use the iPhone app (I have an Android), you may be able to change it with that. I have an Android, but I think I saw someone say they could change the workout name on their iPhone without having it get messed up.
That's been that way for over a year - I don't think it's a bug.
When you edit a routine, the time just goes back to am. Merely need to remember to change it back to pm.
And that's true no matter what you edit.
Also, if you are changing the name of an activity record, which is merely viewing the stats for the block of time - no big deal. You'll just be viewing the wrong time and stats.
And there is no way to change the name of a Logged workout, the name is whatever the activity was, like spin, or biking, ect. Those are the ones that editing and not correcting am back to pm could cause extra calories since you likely entered a calorie burn.
Actually, no, this is a brand new bug. I believe it started near the end of January, 2015. Here's a link to a thread on the FitBit help forums:
https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Fitbit-com-Dashboard/Automatic-Activity-log-issue/m-p/654338#U654338
These are activities that I log by holding the button on my FitBit. Afterwards, the only option I'm given is to edit the name of the activity. Once. After that, there is no option to edit at all (the only change I can make is to delete the activity) and there is never an option to edit the start time, end time, calories or duration of the activity. I miss having that ability, which used to be there. (Mostly because I sometimes forget the hold the button to end the activity when I should.)
I think it is different if I manually enter an activity, without pressing the button. (I rarely do it this way.) Then, I can edit it, I think, but I have to keep an eye on it changing the date and/or time. Yes, I just tested it, and that gives me the "old style" activity record and I can go back and edit it if I want.0 -
Interesting Discussion. I am new at this and I have been letting fitbit exercise calories pass over to MFP without recording specific exercise work-outs.
Can you tell me if I am missing out on accurate information by doing this? Should I change my approach?
Thank You 0 -
Interesting Discussion. I am new at this and I have been letting fitbit exercise calories pass over to MFP without recording specific exercise work-outs.
Can you tell me if I am missing out on accurate information by doing this? Should I change my approach?
Thank You
Nope, you're fine. I like to be able to take a closer look at things like heart rate, steps, etc. from an exercise session, so I log it in FitBit. Usually by holding the button on my Charge HR until it vibrates as I start and the holding the button until it vibrates at the end. That causes it to create a workout record and take heart rate measurements more often. Then, I can look at it later, if I want. Or, I can simply look back and see when I exercised each day.
Some people do things that burn significant calories but that can't be measured by their FitBit (swimming, weight lifting, yoga, etc.) and they need to log those separately. I'm just starting to do a little weight lifting, so I don't do enough to worry about at this point. Most of my exercise is either Zumba (at home, using my Wii) or walking and the FitBit tracks those just fine.0 -
Interesting Discussion. I am new at this and I have been letting fitbit exercise calories pass over to MFP without recording specific exercise work-outs.
Can you tell me if I am missing out on accurate information by doing this? Should I change my approach?
Thank You
Nope, you're fine. I like to be able to take a closer look at things like heart rate, steps, etc. from an exercise session, so I log it in FitBit. Usually by holding the button on my Charge HR until it vibrates as I start and the holding the button until it vibrates at the end. That causes it to create a workout record and take heart rate measurements more often. Then, I can look at it later, if I want. Or, I can simply look back and see when I exercised each day.
Some people do things that burn significant calories but that can't be measured by their FitBit (swimming, weight lifting, yoga, etc.) and they need to log those separately. I'm just starting to do a little weight lifting, so I don't do enough to worry about at this point. Most of my exercise is either Zumba (at home, using my Wii) or walking and the FitBit tracks those just fine.
This is great information for me. Thank you for sharing, both of you. I was wondering how to do all of this and now I can finally take it in and use it. I have had my HR for a couple of weeks now and attempting to find my way around the device, app and websites. Holding the button is what I need to do. I was carrying my phone, starting either MapMyFitness or trusting that it would all log.
I like the idea of knowing when I exercised and now I understand that my heart rate will be monitored more closely if I do press the button or turn on the "track exercise" in the app.
Much easier than wasting my cell battery due to GPS tracking.
thanks 0 -
Thanks so much for your informations - i've grabbed them and wrote it into my blog post http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/GlobalhawkDE/view/first-steps-with-fitbit-charge-hr-729467
- Tomorrow i can tell how the feeling is to log exercise for exercise (without renaming them
) 0 -
No.
If you go and create an activity record for that start and end time, it pulls the stats out from the daily stats for just that block and displays them.
If you pushed the button to create an activity record you did exactly the same thing.
If you both, they should match if you manually entered the correct time.
Now, go and Log Activities, where you provide start and duration time, and either enter your own calories as option, or leave whatever Fitbit came up with.
Well, if you don't manually enter your own - of course what Fitbit keeps is going to match.
If what you say is true, then FitBit did lie to us about counting HR in the activities. Because the Activity mode shows the same calorie burn for activities that I manually logged (after I washed my One) weeks before I got the HR.
But if I go look at the HR chart for that same time period, it does show more calories burned.
If the step count didn't go high enough with the HR, it's assumed that higher HR is NOT from exercise - therefore the HR based calorie burn is not used.
This would actually be a correct assumption, compared to not doing it, and getting a totally inflated calorie burn for something that wasn't that active.
And it still doesn't totally make sense as to where you are seeing these differences.
So to be clear - you start an activity record on your Charge HR per the button press, and end it the same. Then you sync.
You then go and look at the stats on that workout record, and notice the calorie burn given.
It happens to match the calorie burn given to your One in prior workouts.
No manually logging is involved in this.
You then look at the daily graph of steps and calorie burn, and looking at calorie burn, you add up the 5 min sections and come up with a calorie burn higher than the activity record.
And this is all via the app, or web account?0 -
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I don't log the elliptical, mines counts steps on it!0
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Hungry_Annie wrote: »I don't log the elliptical, mines counts steps on it!
Sadly steps walking and steps elliptical does not match for effort, meaning the formula for calorie burn are not nearly the same.
Also, you ever counted the steps taken? Many do the elliptical smooth enough it may catch impact of one foot going down, but not both, much like bike riding.
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Hi,
Sorry if this is not the right place! I'm doing a short survey on how people incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
I would really appreciate your help since it's an important milestone of my Master's program. It will only take you 5 minutes.
https://academictrial.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ensogIPDxL1jPBH-1 -
Question how do you turn it off?
Go to dashboard, settings. It will ask if you want HR auto, on or off. I chose auto and it is on all the time. Turn it off. On your app, tap the Charge HR (top one), look for heart rate tracking. You can change here too.0 -
Question here... I tracked a hike with the fitbit app on the phone. It has created a record of that workout, now how can I log that on MFP? I know the calories pass over, but I want it to show in my status. Will calories double if I do this?0
This discussion has been closed.