Wrist monitors and shopping carts

DrJanet98

Went shopping yesterday, and I realized my Ionic wasn't counting my steps because I was pushing a shopping cart around instead of swinging my arms as I walked. I wound up doing an awkward one-handed push, having to bring my Ionic hand up whenever I needed to maneuver or turn, and I suspect at least a third of my steps weren't counted, probably more.

Has anyone found a solution for this? I find my Ionic missing steps a lot, really, unless I'm really swinging my arm around as I walk. I wish they'd give us the option of putting it in a pocket and counting like a belt clip model -- this was never a problem with my One!

angelb1983

nope, I just don't count those steps. I wish there was a way for them to update and make that problem better but Im not sure how. I feel bad for people that try to walk pushing a stroller or something.

Francl27

It depends for me, if it's crowded, it won't count, if I fly through the aisles, it will. I don't worry about it too much, I figure it will make up for the times my fitbit gives me crazy high burns.

malibu927

Pull the cart behind you with your other hand. I work retail and with all of mine (Flex/Charge HR/Blaze) I had to do that when I was working on carts of product to put out.

ConnieAGinther

Feel free to add me https://www.fitbit.com/user/42NN34

madwells1

I put it on my ankle. I have a large band though....

ZoneFive

I've taken mine off my wrist, closed the buckle to the smallest diameter, and tied it into my shoelaces (double-knotted so it doesn't come untied).

jkbear40

I put my Fitbit(ionic) in my pocket face down. Picks up my steps that way. If I don’t have pockets, I pull from the side so my left arm swings.

bluestarlight19

I've put my charge 2 in my pocket and got it to pick up my steps. Not sure how accurate it is since I only figured it out last shopping trips. Takes me about an 1.5 hours to do a full shop for the whole family, so I would like them to count.

kcpond

I wish they still made the Fitbit One. I just put it in my pocket.

heybales

Put it on your upper body somewhere, belt loop even if secure - it's just looking for impacts to see steps to count and estimate distance.

Christine_72

I awkwardly push the cart with one hand, but i might try putting it through my belt loop as suggested , next time.

heybales

Now, even on the wrist holding on to a shopping cart - would it see the impact and estimate a distance from one cart crashing into another?

Who is going to volunteer pushing around their cart crashing into others - 30 min probably be a good test.

Comparison numbers - or you were just having fun!

AnnofB

I've noticed that mowing my lawn (with a push mower) shows up as riding a bike. NOT! This was with my Charge HR. Got an Alta for Christmas so not sure yet what it will do. Good idea about putting it in the pocket.

madwells1

Christine_72 wrote: »

I awkwardly push the cart with one hand.

This is SOO uncomfortable for me...especially when you get a bad cart that swings to the left Watch out everyone!!

Angierae75

I take mine off and toss it in my pocket, and put it back on after I'm done.

Suzeq66

I put mine around a belt loop on my pants. Then out it back on when I leave.

redversustheblue

Yep, just put my alta in my pocket. Works totally fine.

very_berry_pop

I used to work in café where I wasn't allowed to wear watch, I had my charge hr tied to belt loop and it worked fine.

lisamerrison

My Fitbit Charge picks up my steps even if I am holding onto a trolley - I don't know why it doesn't work for others

Frankie_Fan

I take it off and put it in my pocket.

aeshaddox

I'm relatively new to Fitbit. Found out today that my Charge 2 counted steps when I was playing the piano! Couldn't figure out how I had so many steps when I knew I had been sitting.

heybales

If curious about other stats related to that playing time, and you can mark it decently accurate - you can go create an Activity Record with Start/Stop time, call it piano playing (or anything). If asked for start & duration - you are creating a Workout Record, wrong thing.

You be given the distance Fitbit thought those steps did, and calories for it.
I'd be curious what it turns out as. Make sure you include time spent if you let us know.