Using two fitbits

spookiekabuki

I know there are threads addressing this, but my question/scenario wasn't answered.

I want to sync two Fitbits to my account. I do not like wearing my fitbit when I exercise because I want to avoid double-logging, and I track everything through Map My Run/Ride/Fitness. Usually, I just take my Flex off. This is a problem for the days I bike to work.

So, A friend offered to sell me their flex that they no longer use so that I can leave one at my desk for bike to work days. And here is my question:

Is there a reason NOT to have two Fitbits, one at home and one at work? I would obviously have to re-sync in each location, but this way, my steps dont get logged while on my bike.

ninerbuff

When you take it off, it stops counting, so why would you need 2 unless you refuse to just put it in a bag or your pocket.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

spookiekabuki

I noticed that it counts a lot of my pedal strokes even when in my jersey pocket (on my lower back). I dont carry a bag so there really arent a lot of options in terms of transporting it.

ninerbuff

I noticed that it counts a lot of my pedal strokes even when in my jersey pocket (on my lower back). I dont carry a bag so there really arent a lot of options in terms of transporting it.

So you don't bring anything to work? Why not just clip it to your helmet?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

spookiekabuki

Everything I need at work, I bring the day before. I always try to have a spare set of clothes so that I can decide to bike to work on a whim.

There isn't really a place on my body that will not move similarly to my lower back. My helmet probably moves more than my trunk. But that isn't really the question. The question is about managing two Fitbits.

jlahorn

I want to sync two Fitbits to my account. I do not like wearing my fitbit when I exercise because I want to avoid double-logging, and I track everything through Map My Run/Ride/Fitness.

1) Unless they've changed something in the last 6 months, you can only link one device at a time to a given account. You wouldn't just have to synch in both places, you'd need to keep re-associating devices.

2) Don't MapmyRide/Run/Fitness synch with FitBit? I'm pretty sure those apps eliminate double logging, themselves, though I've never tried it.

spookiekabuki

I want to sync two Fitbits to my account. I do not like wearing my fitbit when I exercise because I want to avoid double-logging, and I track everything through Map My Run/Ride/Fitness.

1) Unless they've changed something in the last 6 months, you can only link one device at a time to a given account. You wouldn't just have to synch in both places, you'd need to keep re-associating devices.

2) Don't MapmyRide/Run/Fitness synch with FitBit? I'm pretty sure those apps eliminate double logging, themselves, though I've never tried it.

1) Would the following "work flow" work?
Unit A - Home/ Primary
Unit B - B2W Days

I would Wear Unit A 24/7 as my device, only taking it off for showers or when I plan to go running (work outs logged manually through MMR). On days that I bike into work. I would take Unit A off, and bike in. At work, I would Sync, and wear Unit B. I would wear it all day at sync is right before I leave, REMOVE IT and leave it at my office, bike home, and put Unit A back one, then Re-sync unit A.

2) Map My app suite does sync, but I dont know how, or what it accounts for.

spookiekabuki

I guess the question is this… If I use one Fitbit, sync, then put on another and sync the second one later on, will all steps from all Fitbits add cumulatively?

spookiekabuki

I just finished a test.

I started my bike ride with a synced Fitbit, and left it in my flatkit that hangs from my seat. It should move less than my body. I was at 520 steps. I got off my bike and synced the Fitbit BEFORE syncing the MapMyRide workout, and I was over 8K. Clearly, it is not the addition of a workout that is upping the steps, so I don't get how Fitbits are calculating calories properly. It appears that it would be double-logging.

Perhaps the answer is to remove the Fitbit calorie adjustment on days that I bike to work?

This further leads me to believe that I should keep a spare FB around. OR, I guess I can skip wearing it on days I know I will log a lot of steps?

Samstan101

Log the start time & duration of your bike ride as an acitivity of the Fitbit website and it'll remove the steps and give you an estimate of calorie burn for the cycling (which you can manually over-ride if you wish to do so).

spookiekabuki

That doesnt work. I just removed all the logs that came in from Map My Ride, and then manually logged the same data. It still shows me as 24,000 steps for the day.