Is using an elliptical in a challenge cheating? (Also posted on the Fitbit community page)
Replies
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While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?0
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Definitely a silly reason to wreck a friendship, which sounds like it wasn't worth keeping anyway, but the whole discussion makes me wonder about a related question. I don't use an elliptical, but a Bowflex Max Trainer which is sort of a cross between elliptical and stairclimber. My Microsoft Band does not count this as steps. It certainly records the calories burned (pretty accurately when compared with a chest strap or the hand grabs on the machine). That's what makes me wonder about how any of these gizmos treat exercise machines.0
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While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics. I am glad that the friends that I participate with aren't that competitive.
BTW, I hope people realize that steps are not picked up 100% of the time by your fitbit.
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Would marching in place count? If it would why not a bicycle or elliptical? The motions in all seem too closely related to me for it to really matter.
ETA Your friend is a jerk honey, I'm sorry you were treated that way.2 -
Wickedfaery73 wrote: »Would marching in place count? If it would why not a bicycle or elliptical? The motions in all seem too closely related to me for it to really matter.
ETA Your friend is a jerk honey, I'm sorry you were treated that way.
There are so many jokes about people taking a last walk around their bedroom before going to bed because someone just passed them (some people may not think it's a joke at all). It's fun, it's challenging. In actual fact, I got introduced to Leslie Samsone cause I wanted to find a more effective way to walk in place.
Cheating is putting it in some kind of spin cycle or getting steps off activities that you clearly know don't burn the same calories that the fitbit is giving you. In that case, you are only cheating yourself. 0 -
While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
If the purpose of the challenge is to motivate people to move more then you should get credit for them. And that is the purpose of most step challenges.0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
don't know what elliptical you're use to seeing but the ones I use, you are diffidently not gliding.0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
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And nobody is going to say anything about boxing? Just think how many steps you can earn on the speed bag, once you get good at it.
As for biking, 1) unless you wear it on your foot or ankle it won't pick up many steps, and 2) a good running cadence is over 150 (many say 180 is "ideal") however on a bike a good cadence is 80 - 100. In my experience bike cadence maxes out around 120, there is a limit to how fast you can spin your feet in a tight little circle. Per minute that is still below what one can earn running.
I don't know how running cadence compares to walking or elliptical cadence.0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
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snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
JW, assuming that you are correct, what is the point of having a fitbit or any other tracking device. For me, it is motivating me to move more, which it has truly accomplished.
BTW I have posed this question on one of the group forums that I am on. I will report back the findings.0 -
I would not say it is cheating. Steps are steps!1
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I am pretty active but have a group of friends on Fitbit that I am always at the bottom of the heap with with workday and weekend challenges. They work active jobs (I sit at a desk), log ridiculous mileage running (my running days are over), etc. I often wonder where they find the time and energy for it all, but more power to them! IMO the fact that someone thinks you are "cheating" at exercise says it all....good riddance to them.1
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snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
JW, assuming that you are correct, what is the point of having a fitbit or any other tracking device. For me, it is motivating me to move more, which it has truly accomplished.
BTW I have posed this question on one of the group forums that I am on. I will report back the findings.
Mine motivates me as well. Counting things that aren't steps as steps doesn't motivate me even more, though.
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snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
JW, assuming that you are correct, what is the point of having a fitbit or any other tracking device. For me, it is motivating me to move more, which it has truly accomplished.
BTW I have posed this question on one of the group forums that I am on. I will report back the findings.
Mine motivates me as well. Counting things that aren't steps as steps doesn't motivate me even more, though.
Then do you take it off when you are not walking?
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And nobody is going to say anything about boxing? Just think how many steps you can earn on the speed bag, once you get good at it.
As for biking, 1) unless you wear it on your foot or ankle it won't pick up many steps, and 2) a good running cadence is over 150 (many say 180 is "ideal") however on a bike a good cadence is 80 - 100. In my experience bike cadence maxes out around 120, there is a limit to how fast you can spin your feet in a tight little circle. Per minute that is still below what one can earn running.
I don't know how running cadence compares to walking or elliptical cadence.
Don't fitbits also use a manually entered stride and a GPS to help calculate steps (in addition to actual vibrations)? In which case, if you've set it based on your walking stride, it's going to give you more steps when you are running than you actually do, right? Since once run step takes you farther that a walk step?
If they don't do that I don't understand why someone would pay $150 for something worth $20 (standard pedometer).0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
JW, assuming that you are correct, what is the point of having a fitbit or any other tracking device. For me, it is motivating me to move more, which it has truly accomplished.
BTW I have posed this question on one of the group forums that I am on. I will report back the findings.
Mine motivates me as well. Counting things that aren't steps as steps doesn't motivate me even more, though.
Then do you take it off when you are not walking?
I take it off when I cycle, yes. I don't take it off when I am lifting or driving but get some credit for those. I don't join challenges and am far past caring how many steps I get a day.0 -
And nobody is going to say anything about boxing? Just think how many steps you can earn on the speed bag, once you get good at it.
As for biking, 1) unless you wear it on your foot or ankle it won't pick up many steps, and 2) a good running cadence is over 150 (many say 180 is "ideal") however on a bike a good cadence is 80 - 100. In my experience bike cadence maxes out around 120, there is a limit to how fast you can spin your feet in a tight little circle. Per minute that is still below what one can earn running.
I don't know how running cadence compares to walking or elliptical cadence.
Don't fitbits also use a manually entered stride and a GPS to help calculate steps (in addition to actual vibrations)? In which case, if you've set it based on your walking stride, it's going to give you more steps when you are running than you actually do, right? Since once run step takes you farther that a walk step?
If they don't do that I don't understand why someone would pay $150 for something worth $20 (standard pedometer).
I use a "foot pod" that connects to the Garmin and makes it accurate when you wear it. Problem is, you have to attach it to your shoe so it is really only gonna be used during deliberate training.0 -
And nobody is going to say anything about boxing? Just think how many steps you can earn on the speed bag, once you get good at it.
As for biking, 1) unless you wear it on your foot or ankle it won't pick up many steps, and 2) a good running cadence is over 150 (many say 180 is "ideal") however on a bike a good cadence is 80 - 100. In my experience bike cadence maxes out around 120, there is a limit to how fast you can spin your feet in a tight little circle. Per minute that is still below what one can earn running.
I don't know how running cadence compares to walking or elliptical cadence.
Don't fitbits also use a manually entered stride and a GPS to help calculate steps (in addition to actual vibrations)? In which case, if you've set it based on your walking stride, it's going to give you more steps when you are running than you actually do, right? Since once run step takes you farther that a walk step?
If they don't do that I don't understand why someone would pay $150 for something worth $20 (standard pedometer).
it doesnt give more steps walking versus running, it just changes the distance. Most dont use GPS.0 -
Is the prize a million dollars and a free all expenses paid trip to Disney world?1
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Step: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other.
So, EVERYTHING IS STEPS.
FYI the elliptical actually does the opposite- It cheats you, not them. The stride length is longer for many people, so you get fewer steps.0 -
Step: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other.
So, EVERYTHING IS STEPS.
FYI the elliptical actually does the opposite- It cheats you, not them. The stride length is longer for many people, so you get fewer steps.
The full definition. "An act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running". Not ellipticalling
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And nobody is going to say anything about boxing? Just think how many steps you can earn on the speed bag, once you get good at it.
As for biking, 1) unless you wear it on your foot or ankle it won't pick up many steps, and 2) a good running cadence is over 150 (many say 180 is "ideal") however on a bike a good cadence is 80 - 100. In my experience bike cadence maxes out around 120, there is a limit to how fast you can spin your feet in a tight little circle. Per minute that is still below what one can earn running.
I don't know how running cadence compares to walking or elliptical cadence.
Don't fitbits also use a manually entered stride and a GPS to help calculate steps (in addition to actual vibrations)? In which case, if you've set it based on your walking stride, it's going to give you more steps when you are running than you actually do, right? Since once run step takes you farther that a walk step?
If they don't do that I don't understand why someone would pay $150 for something worth $20 (standard pedometer).
Most Fitbits don't have GPS. Some activity trackers allow you to enter your walking stride length, and possible also your running stride, so that a more accurate calculation of distance can be performed.
Steps are counted based on the motion of the device in a way that is recognized as activity. In general that is going to be the up and down movement that occurs as part of each step. If it does not have a step stride length for calculating distance traveled then it will try to use the accelerometer to calculate the distance traveled.
I $20 pedometer won't calculate your calories with some degree of accuracy, track your sleep hours, do as good a job of filtering out incidental movements (car rides, shifting around in your chair, etc.), or differentiate between walking and running so that the right stride length is applied; and then sync it all up to the web for use with MFP.0 -
Step: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other.
So, EVERYTHING IS STEPS.
FYI the elliptical actually does the opposite- It cheats you, not them. The stride length is longer for many people, so you get fewer steps.
The full definition. "An act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running". Not ellipticalling
a (1) : an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere.
One foot in front of the other. Not just walking and running. Or are you the type who doesn't think skipping should count as steps? Or dancing?0 -
That's not a definition I see in Oxford. Sorry.Step: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other.
So, EVERYTHING IS STEPS.
FYI the elliptical actually does the opposite- It cheats you, not them. The stride length is longer for many people, so you get fewer steps.
The full definition. "An act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running". Not ellipticalling
a (1) : an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere.
One foot in front of the other. Not just walking and running. Or are you the type who doesn't think skipping should count as steps? Or dancing?
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And Hornsby, I PROMISE you I was not sitting in a chair and waving my arms. I worked my *kitten* off during that challenge. I already had 10,000 steps banked before I'd even gotten to my 9:00 boxing class that morning. And no, did not use the speed bag, but ran, jump roped, burbeed, during class and got another 4000 steps in class, which is normal. And then I walked to the gym, got on the elliptical for 30 minutes because the treadmills were occupied, then got on the treadmill for another 40 minutes. But I also got another 1000 while shopping in Target. Should shopping count? I was stepping, but worked way harder on the elliptical.
I wasn't trying to cheat or be dishonest as you put it, just hit a PR.
The upset friend won anyway. The friend won the challenge, lost a friend. We're still not speaking.
(Sorry, I don't understand how the quotes work) LOL0 -
snowflake930 wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »While I would think cheating is a strong word for a Fitbit challenge, I do think it's dishonest. They aren't steps. Should a person on a bicycle get steps for pedaling?
Not at all dishonest.
Absolutely they should allow the steps for pedaling.
Unless everyone in the challenge stipulates, and agrees to steps only from walking, or any other activity, anything is fair game. It never even occurred to me that only certain steps would qualify. I have had a fit bit for over 3 years and have participated in a lot of these challenges and this is the first I have ever heard of this as being cheating. It is really bizarre to me that people think of this as cheating.
People need to get a grip, it is not the Olympics.
Agree to disagree. Steps means steps to me. Not glides. Not pedals.
Wow, I will have to go back to the fit bit site and see where it says "steps only" on the challenges. I am in one now that ends today.
The Fitbit counts steps. It's right there on the app screen. It says "Steps". The OP said steps as well. Just because there are issues with step trackers counting things that aren't steps as steps, doesn't make it right to count them. She could just wave her arm around while sitting in a chair and get credit for steps as well... Has nothing to do with the rules of said challenge.
"
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Track the workouts
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By default, SmartTrack recognizes activities when you've been moving for 15 minutes or more. You can customize which activities to track automatically, and when they should count.
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^^The above is from Fitbit. I think it is self explanatory for what is fair.
Friends on fitbit say anyway you get steps is not cheating on challenges. Accusing someone that getting steps on the elliptical is cheating is wrong, it is not cheating.
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