Is using an elliptical in a challenge cheating? (Also posted on the Fitbit community page)
Replies
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jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
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I have found that you get way more steps on the elliptical, hence the guy above who gets over 10,000 steps with an hour on the elliptical. I would say it is cheating.
I think it really depends on the machine. I have a mid quality machine in the $1500 range but it only counts about 90% of what I get in 30 minutes vs walking and that's with my step counter on my shoe. The only advantages I see with an elliptical is that it's A- indoors and B- your stride is consistent.
Other than that it sounds like the challenge rules were not clearly stated. No need for you to get upset but it sounds like you should look for a less angry friend.0 -
jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
Is it fair to use running steps in a step challenge? I noticed the new Garmin I was wanting to get counts steps too and I assume it will include steps that occurred during a run? Would that be fair?0 -
I also get less steps on an elliptical - maybe 70% of what I would get walking. However, sometimes I don't feel like running, and my main focus is to burn calories and not just get steps. I don't think it's cheating at all.0
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jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
Is it fair to use running steps in a step challenge? I noticed the new Garmin I was wanting to get counts steps too and I assume it will include steps that occurred during a run? Would that be fair?
I think it's fair. There are some people who don't run and kick my butt all the time even if I'm running half marathons.0 -
20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
Is it fair to use running steps in a step challenge? I noticed the new Garmin I was wanting to get counts steps too and I assume it will include steps that occurred during a run? Would that be fair?
I think it's fair. There are some people who don't run and kick my butt all the time even if I'm running half marathons.
I also wonder how that will affect my calorie goals. I have my lifestyle as sedentary so I add calories from running back in. If this adds in steps as well wouldn't this be double-dipping to some extent? I'm not sure how that would work out or if Garmin only syncs specific things.0 -
20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
Is it fair to use running steps in a step challenge? I noticed the new Garmin I was wanting to get counts steps too and I assume it will include steps that occurred during a run? Would that be fair?
I think it's fair. There are some people who don't run and kick my butt all the time even if I'm running half marathons.
I also wonder how that will affect my calorie goals. I have my lifestyle as sedentary so I add calories from running back in. If this adds in steps as well wouldn't this be double-dipping to some extent? I'm not sure how that would work out or if Garmin only syncs specific things.
I wear a fitbit and a Garmin - not interested in the races but I like the challenges. This is what happens with me
When I run with Garmin it creates a running activity and calculates the calories for that. It also know how many steps I took during the run and removes that from the calculations for calories from walking. So it doesn't double dip for me. I know some people have had issues with more advanced models if they don't follow the right steps.
That run also gets sent to MFP/Fitbit which overwrites the calories I would have gained from Fitbit walking steps but it keeps the fitbit steps.
So in MFP I get the run activity as one line and the additional calorie adjustment from Garmin excluding the run on another line (I chose to use the Garmin versus Fitbit adjustment)
So all in all it works out (at least for me).0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »Since we have absolutely no idea what the challenge is, how should we know?
it'd be a step challenge. Who can get the most amount of steps over the weekend.
Op I didn't think the elliptical picked up steps very well??
If this person wants to end your friendship over this, then I say good riddance!!
right?? sounds like someone who is a sore loser. Elliptical counts towards steps for sure. fitbit picks it up fine if you use the kind that makes you swing your arms or you put your fit pit in your pocket.0 -
FFS why are people so mean? Fitbit is supposed to be a fun way of getting motivated.3
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20yearsyounger wrote: »20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Oh well, the person won in the end. It's too bad that the person is a sore winner.
And no, they can't get over it.
After a long talk with husband, it's agreed that I can't have them in my life anymore. It's for the best. If it wasn't this, it would have been something else. I hurts, but I'll get over it.
If they are THAT competitive, it's time to get a Garmin, toe the line, and start actually racing. I had no idea there was that much drama in fitbit groups.
Is it fair to use running steps in a step challenge? I noticed the new Garmin I was wanting to get counts steps too and I assume it will include steps that occurred during a run? Would that be fair?
I think it's fair. There are some people who don't run and kick my butt all the time even if I'm running half marathons.
I also wonder how that will affect my calorie goals. I have my lifestyle as sedentary so I add calories from running back in. If this adds in steps as well wouldn't this be double-dipping to some extent? I'm not sure how that would work out or if Garmin only syncs specific things.
I wear a fitbit and a Garmin - not interested in the races but I like the challenges. This is what happens with me
When I run with Garmin it creates a running activity and calculates the calories for that. It also know how many steps I took during the run and removes that from the calculations for calories from walking. So it doesn't double dip for me. I know some people have had issues with more advanced models if they don't follow the right steps.
That run also gets sent to MFP/Fitbit which overwrites the calories I would have gained from Fitbit walking steps but it keeps the fitbit steps.
So in MFP I get the run activity as one line and the additional calorie adjustment from Garmin excluding the run on another line (I chose to use the Garmin versus Fitbit adjustment)
So all in all it works out (at least for me).
I use a Garmin and a fitbit, too - the fitbit 24/7 and the Garmin ONLY for runs. I used to manually adjust the Garmin "calories burned" because I thought I was double-dipping, but I've noticed that MFP seems to adjust the fitbit calories to account for it, so there's no double-dip. I'm not sure precisely how it does it, but it takes the Garmin "exercise calories" first, and then looks to the fitbit "steps" separately, and reducing them. If I have a Garmin run that day, it seems to have a much higher threshold for fitbit calories.
For example, yesterday afternoon, I had 96 "exercise" calories earned from my fitbit alone. Then I went for a run, with my Garmin, and after my Garmin synced, MFP recalculated everything, giving me ALL of my Garmin calories from my run (235) and ZERO fitbit calories.
I don't get the algorithm, but I don't care. It seems to work out pretty well - and I trust the Garmin calories way more than the fitbit ones, anyway.0 -
two things:
As long as the steps are accurate (as in each time your leg goes from full forward to full back and back to full forward counts as two steps or less), then you're not cheating.
second, and only because you asked for opinions, you both need to get a grip. Six hours of physical activity to pull ahead of someone in a fitbit challenge? Blowing up a friendship because someone did something you don't like in a stupid pedometer challenge? Both sound crazy to me, but then I've been known to walk for an hour after midnight just because I ate too much in a day, which undoubtedly someone will say points to disordered thoughts and I need to put down and step away from the MFP.1 -
jlserrano905 wrote: »I have found that you get way more steps on the elliptical, hence the guy above who gets over 10,000 steps with an hour on the elliptical. I would say it is cheating.
I think it really depends on the machine. I have a mid quality machine in the $1500 range but it only counts about 90% of what I get in 30 minutes vs walking and that's with my step counter on my shoe. The only advantages I see with an elliptical is that it's A- indoors and B- your stride is consistent.
Other than that it sounds like the challenge rules were not clearly stated. No need for you to get upset but it sounds like you should look for a less angry friend.
I think it's because I have a fit bit one, and it is a clip so you get a lot more steps that way, I could see how a wristband one would get you less in that situation.
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The reason I get more steps walking/running than on the elliptical is because on the elliptical I focus more on resistance and incline versus steps per min. I am probably at 130-140 steps per minute on an elliptical. Running I am probably more like 180+. I also have a smoother walking stride than on an elliptical so maybe I am 10-20% faster.0
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Isn't the whole point of fitbit challenges to encourage people to get moving? If the elliptical is "cheating" but it gets your off your *kitten* and moving then I don't know what the problem is. Is there a prize to be won? Did you guys put money in a pot and whoever wins the challenge gets the pot? If that were the case I'd say maybe take it off during elliptical or switch to the treadmill or walking outdoors while on this challenge. If not and it's just bragging rights about who gets the most steps I'd say keep doing whatever you enjoy that gets you moving. For the record, I don't seem to record and overly high number of steps when I wear my charge HR on the elliptical.0
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If it's a fitbit challenge, no its not cheating! You do the steps regardless of how you get them, you've earned them!
I've done plenty of these challenges and almost burned myself out from my competitiveness...I try to not enter so many now. Who has the time to spend hours and hours walking/running etc ...and I get so darned hungry lol3 -
If any cheating, you cheated yourself out of steps. My elliptical only counts every third step or so!1
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I have found that you get way more steps on the elliptical, hence the guy above who gets over 10,000 steps with an hour on the elliptical. I would say it is cheating.
Getting over 10000 steps in an hour is easy for me, 180 to 190 strides and hour to keep my heart rate over 80%, this using a hip based pedometer.
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there is a girl at my gym who I think does these challenges. She wears her Flex on her shoe while she does the elliptical and stair stepper. I do think this is cheating because the flex will pick up loads more steps if work on the foot (I've tested mine out).
My experience is that if worn on the wrist, the elliptical will give fewer steps than walking. Running gives the most,
So long as it's not on your foot, I'd say it's not cheating. Stupid thing to blow up about.1 -
this person needs to take a giant chill pill - it's a friendly challenge. The point of which, last I checked is to help your fellow challenge members be more active.
It's not like you were entered in a race and you took a shortcut.
If they got so upset about a FitBit challenge that you are no longer friends, I say good riddance.
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RunRutheeRun wrote: »If it's a fitbit challenge, no its not cheating! You do the steps regardless of how you get them, you've earned them!
I've done plenty of these challenges and almost burned myself out from my competitiveness...I try to not enter so many now. Who has the time to spend hours and hours walking/running etc ...and I get so darned hungry lol
Same here, I was canceling appointments because I couldn't afford the sitting down time. These damn challenges were taking over my life. I don't enter them anymore..2 -
Here's a comparison of my activity monitor, and pedometer. This was 68 mins on the elliptical with out holding the handles.0 -
Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
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I would say that you're winning, because you look amazing.1
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No more challenges with this person. It is cheating if it is specifically not allowed.1
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jennycreative1 wrote: »Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
I would argue though that those differences are with the same activity using different devices with different algorithms and not the same device but different activity. A totally different result could be obtained that may or may not be closer. Don't feel like you are cheating. Just do your thing.0 -
20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
I would argue though that those differences are with the same activity using different devices with different algorithms and not the same device but different activity. A totally different result could be obtained that may or may not be closer. Don't feel like you are cheating. Just do your thing.
I was showing how an arm based activity tracker misses steps. but if you want you use algorithms using the same device, I use a cadence sensor with my V800 and the steps per min is in sync with my pedometer, and the elliptical, (around 180 to 190 spm), over 11000 steps per hour a distance of 5.17 miles, while my activity monitor shows 4.04 by steps counted (8961 steps)
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Christine_72 wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »If it's a fitbit challenge, no its not cheating! You do the steps regardless of how you get them, you've earned them!
I've done plenty of these challenges and almost burned myself out from my competitiveness...I try to not enter so many now. Who has the time to spend hours and hours walking/running etc ...and I get so darned hungry lol
Same here, I was canceling appointments because I couldn't afford the sitting down time. These damn challenges were taking over my life. I don't enter them anymore..
wow- that's weird.0 -
ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
I would argue though that those differences are with the same activity using different devices with different algorithms and not the same device but different activity. A totally different result could be obtained that may or may not be closer. Don't feel like you are cheating. Just do your thing.
I was showing how an arm based activity tracker misses steps. but if you want you use algorithms using the same device, I use a cadence sensor with my V800 and the steps per min is in sync with my pedometer, and the elliptical, (around 180 to 190 spm), over 11000 steps per hour a distance of 5.17 miles, while my activity monitor shows 4.04 by steps counted (8961 steps)
got it. So if you were in a step challenge you would be cheated versus the other way around.0 -
20yearsyounger wrote: »ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
I would argue though that those differences are with the same activity using different devices with different algorithms and not the same device but different activity. A totally different result could be obtained that may or may not be closer. Don't feel like you are cheating. Just do your thing.
I was showing how an arm based activity tracker misses steps. but if you want you use algorithms using the same device, I use a cadence sensor with my V800 and the steps per min is in sync with my pedometer, and the elliptical, (around 180 to 190 spm), over 11000 steps per hour a distance of 5.17 miles, while my activity monitor shows 4.04 by steps counted (8961 steps)
got it. So if you were in a step challenge you would be cheated versus the other way around.
yea, I only do them to motivate others, so would't be like the OP friend. :-)0 -
ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »20yearsyounger wrote: »ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »20yearsyounger wrote: »jennycreative1 wrote: »Thanks for showing the comparison. So I see there are differences. But the whole takeaway is that it certainly wasn't worth blowing up a friendship over. LOL. I wasn't using the elliptical to "cheat", just exercise.
I appreciate all the feedback.
I would argue though that those differences are with the same activity using different devices with different algorithms and not the same device but different activity. A totally different result could be obtained that may or may not be closer. Don't feel like you are cheating. Just do your thing.
I was showing how an arm based activity tracker misses steps. but if you want you use algorithms using the same device, I use a cadence sensor with my V800 and the steps per min is in sync with my pedometer, and the elliptical, (around 180 to 190 spm), over 11000 steps per hour a distance of 5.17 miles, while my activity monitor shows 4.04 by steps counted (8961 steps)
got it. So if you were in a step challenge you would be cheated versus the other way around.
yea, I only do them to motivate others, so would't be like the OP friend. :-)
totally understand. I do the same. I dont mind losing the steps. It helps knowing at least I burned more calories. Fight the right fight0
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