Jog in place to increase step count?

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Hey everyone, quick question for anyone who uses a Fitbit/other pedometer to monitor daily activity level and calories expended.

Do you jog in place (at your desk, etc.) to increase your step count? Do you find it counts as "cheating" when your Fitbit gives you additional calories to compensate? I worry that sometimes my Fitbit overestimates how many calories I am burning - I am sure regular jogging has got to use more calories than jogging in place! Is it even worth it?

Would love to hear what everyone thinks about this!

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,704 Member
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    Jogging in place is physical movement. Now the intensity will matter depending on how high you lift your knees. The more parallel your thighs are to the floor, the better.

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  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,488 Member
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    Mine won't track unless I'm actually making purposeful strides. But I wouldn't see any issue - you're moving afterall.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 13,939 Member
    edited March 2017
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    It sure as *kittens* beats sitting.

    It may result in a relative overestimate since it probably burns slightly less calories than full, normal, walking or jogging.

    I would personally feel that a challenge win based substantially on in place stepping would not be as valid as one based on more natural activity.

    This doesn't make it an undesirable activity.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,750 Member
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    I'm sure it's worth doing, though, like the OP, I doubt it burns as much energy as actual jogging. A bit like a car idling as opposed to driving. But if you do it vigorously enough you could maybe get up to a similar burn, I don't know.

    I like step ups, as that act of raising your body weight is inherently demanding of energy.
  • akmomof7
    akmomof7 Posts: 162 Member
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    I get some of my daily steps by doing the Insanity workout and 99 percent of it is done in place. By the time I am done, I am usually a puddle of sweat on the floor, struggling to get up. But, I usually get credit for a 17 min. workout on my fitbit and about 100 calories. I think it has a hard time with in place movement. When I am surfing on my phone, I will frequently walk back and forth to raise my step count. I get more steps doing that.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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    I know i get so much more out of breath when i jog in place compared to regular fast paced walking. So i say yes it counts.