Does Fitbit take speed into account when calculating burn?

xLyric
xLyric Posts: 840 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Healing from surgery, Dr. gave me the okay to take walks again, but said that if the sites throb, slow down. Well, they throb unless I go super slow, so my walks lately have been more of a leisurely meander.

This is fine, I just wanted to see if anyone knew if the Fitbit will take into account the fact that I'm moving so slowly so that it doesn't tell me I've burned more than I have. I'm not really that concerned about it, I'm not going to push myself right now either way since I'm healing, was more curious than anything.

Thanks :smile:

Edit: I definitely thought I was in the Fitness board, sorry. Thanks for the replies anyway! :blush:

Replies

  • mandipandi75
    mandipandi75 Posts: 6,035 Member
    Fitbit Charge HR? If so, it calculates your burn by your heartrate which is pretty accurate.
  • Colorscheme
    Colorscheme Posts: 1,179 Member
    edited January 2016
    I believe it does, because sometimes I will burn more walking the same distance according to my Fitbit Charge, due to speed. For example, today was a rest day and I took 5,000 steps. Normally I burn 400 cals because I walk very fast. Today I walked a lot slower and it said I burned 200 cals. Same steps, same amount of distance.
  • faidwen
    faidwen Posts: 131 Member
    edited January 2016
    I believe that if it is NOT a heartrate version of "anything" IE: Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit etc, that they calculate distance with time, to determine "magically" how hard you are working out / moving, etc.

    They are ONLY indicators, none are perfectly accurate 100%, that is why folks always say, ONLY eat back 50% of burned calories.

    *** Caveat, I've been wrong many times, but this is based on my assumptions and current knowledge ***
  • xLyric
    xLyric Posts: 840 Member
    mandipandi75 wrote: »
    Fitbit Charge HR? If so, it calculates your burn by your heartrate which is pretty accurate.

    Just the Zip, so no HR, but thanks!
    realityfades wrote: »
    I believe it does, because sometimes I will burn more walking the same distance according to my Fitbit Charge, due to speed. For example, today was a rest day and I took 5,000 steps. Normally I burn 400 cals because I walk very fast. Today I walked a lot slower and it said I burned 200 cals. Same steps, same amount of distance.

    Awesome, thanks!
  • xLyric
    xLyric Posts: 840 Member
    faidwen wrote: »
    I believe that if it is NOT a heartrate version of "anything" IE: Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit etc, that they calculate distance with time, to determine "magically" how hard you are working out / moving, etc.

    They are ONLY indicators, none are perfectly accurate 100%, that is why folks always say, ONLY eat back 50% of burned calories.

    *** Caveat, I've been wrong many times, but this is based on my assumptions and current knowledge ***

    So it sounds like it'll at least guess, which is good enough for me! Thanks :smile:
  • faidwen
    faidwen Posts: 131 Member
    xLyric wrote: »
    So it sounds like it'll at least guess, which is good enough for me! Thanks :smile:

    EXACTLY!!!! It gives a great estimate. I have a cheapy Misfit, and I use it EXACTLY for this, and who can beat a mere $20 investment!!

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Fitbit One responds to speed and differentiates running from walking.
This discussion has been closed.

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