Fitbit and Swimming laps?

endlessloser · August 2014

I know they say fitbit can get wet.... I've had absolutely zero problems showering with it, so I was wondering, has anyone ever used it for swimming laps?

Wondering if it would be good for that, or is there something else better for laps or treading water for an extended period of time? Would like to be able to track calorie burn.

Joannesmith2818 · August 2014

I thought it was a pedometer. I thought you would have been better off using HRM or just logging it as swimming? x

happysherri · August 2014

All I know is that it is Water Resistant not Water Proof

And is kinda a glorified pedometer.

allbarrett · August 2014

It is water resistant, not water proof. While the website says you "can" swim with it, I had one die on me after I went swimming with it a couple of times (just laps at the local pool) so now I take it off when I shower, do dishes or anything else.

It is a pedometer anyway. Just manually enter the swimming as an exercise and leave the Fitbit in your locker.

endlessloser · August 2014

ok thanks. I haven't had any issues showering with it, but don't want issues swimming with it, so I'll just log the swim instead as suggested.

WalkingAlong · August 2014

The Flex is submersible to 10m. But it doesn't track swimming so why bother. It has no programming to account for the resistance of the water, it'll just think you're swinging your arms in wide walking strides or something. If you just want to see your steps count go up for a swim and ignore the calorie estimate, I can see using it for that.

https://desk-fitbit.s3.amazonaws.com/Fitbit Flex Product Manual - English.pdf
Using your Flex in wet conditions
Your Flex can be worn while you are in the shower or working out. It is sweat-proof,
rain-proof, water resistant, and can be submerged in water up to ten meters.

zacksnana · August 2014

Had a friend ruin hers by swimming. I recommend just logging swimming.

AquaticQuests · August 2014

Check out the swinmers group here: www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/139-swimmers-

IHateThinkingOfAUsername · August 2014

If it helps I use a Polar FT1 to get a rough idea of my heart rate while I swim (but I'm aware that the water impacts on it's conductivity resulting in potentially a higher reading). I use Shapesense's calculator (http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx) to then convert the average heart rate to calories burnt. Then as a check I use this website http://www.swimmingcalculator.com/swim_calories_calculator.php to see what they say I'd burn. (This is the lowest calculator I found). I average the two out to give me a rough guide. But it is just a rough guide. Hopefully it's good enough (I've been losing weight while using this method so I'm guessing it's good enough).

dstewart511 · August 2014

Hello,

Check out this article comparing different fitness trackers. Right now only the vivofit by Garmin is waterproof and will track swim workouts.

http://www.imore.com/ultimate-fitness-tracker-comparison-fitbit-flex-vs-jawbone-up24-vs-nike-fuelband-se-vs-garmin

WalkingAlong · August 2014

Also the Misfit Shine.

endlessloser · August 2014

Hello,

Check out this article comparing different fitness trackers. Right now only the vivofit by Garmin is waterproof and will track swim workouts.

http://www.imore.com/ultimate-fitness-tracker-comparison-fitbit-flex-vs-jawbone-up24-vs-nike-fuelband-se-vs-garmin

Thanks so much for this!

Fitbit and Swimming laps?

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