FitBit

djwife03
djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I just rode my recumbent bike for 45 minutes. My FitBit says I only burned 70 calories?!!! I had it on pleateau, level 17. Avg speed was 18.5mph. This can't be right, or can it? This bike I can put in my weight and it said I burned 364 calories, which I know isn't totally accurate either, but......

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    FitBit doesn't track biking well.
  • djwife03
    djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
    Whew! I worked hard so I was really frustrated when I got done! Lol








    FitBit doesn't track biking well.
  • phyllb
    phyllb Posts: 735 Member
    Think it will track better if you place it on your legs rather than waist or bra.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    In my experience the FitBit really only tracks walking (including treadmills and ellipticals) and stairs. Other than that - it doesn't do a good job tracking exercise.

    I'd compare what the bike says, what MFP says, and probably count about 2/3. Biking burns more calories per minute than walking, if that helps.

    If you were riding hard, a good rule of thumb is 8 calories per minute. So 8x45 is 360. Your bike is pretty close.
  • djwife03
    djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
    That makes sense! Will try that next time
    Think it will track better if you place it on your legs rather than waist or bra.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I've put it on a foot before just to up my 'steps' while biking but be warned that the calorie estimate will be way off. It assigns calories based on the motion of a torso, so imagine what you'd have to be doing for your torso to move like your knee does while biking. It'd be something a lot more intense than just peddling.

    You can do a quick test and see. Walk a few blocks with it in your hip pocket. Then clip it to your shoe and walk back. Your calorie burn should be over double on the second half of your walk.

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