Do you count arm movement?

katnadreau · November 2017

So, I recognize that moving my arms while I'm standing and folding laundry, or scrubbing a mountain of dishes that never got rinsed will often add steps to my Fitbit. The thing is, I think it's totally legit, especially since I always stand and move a bit while doing these things, even if I'm not taking actual steps. Am I totally wrong in thinking this? I'm still increasing my NEAT, I know my Fitbit doesn't register me scratching my nose, or bringing food to my mouth (yes, I've tested this). I just know a pedometer only registers me as sedentary, my Alta HR puts me at lightly active on a Sunday when I do the bare minimum (I'm a stay at home mom, always cleaning, picking up babies, grocery shopping, etc, Sunday I give myself a major break) I'm losing the correct amount of weight as far as I can tell. I guess I just don't understand why people think that "step credit" from using arms, even when standing mostly still, doesn't really burn calories, and wondering if I'm the only one who feels that way ☺

KickassAmazon76 · November 2017

Activity above what you used to do can only be helpful. If you are seeing progress, then you're doing it right.

One thing to note though... When you engage your legs, you're using much larger muscles and moving more mass than when you're moving your arms. If you're constantly fooling your Fitbit by air walking, it will still have a positive impact, but not nearly as much as if each of those steps were legitimately moving your whole body.

lukilton · November 2017

I specifically do strength training for my arms, shoulders, and upper body training, using 3 pound weights. Sometimes while in the kitchen, or doing laundry, I will pick up the weights and do some repetitions of specific exercises. That might be something
you could do which would be beneficial and give you confidence that your
movements are legitimate exercise. A win-win situation all around.

PAV8888 · November 2017

From the perspective of someone who is in a Fitbit challenge... you're a **kitten** if you dare include anything that is not uphill steps up a 10% or higher grade while carrying a 50lb, or heavier, load!

From the perspective of someone who is trying to lose, gain, maintain, or in general get a sense of their caloric expenditure all that matters is whether you can develop a predictive formula/intuition/measurement to gauge how much you get to eat (or move, or exercise) and still attain your goals.

if your arm movements compensate for the non logging of steps when you're shuffling your baby from side to side, or while you're doing the potty dance... all good.

If your arm movements, or driving, or what have you add so many extra calories that your trending weight over a period of 6 to 8 weeks increases while you believe yourself to be eating at a 500 Cal a day deficit... then all is not good.

The rest are just labels to help us conceptualise and figure out our balance of calories in and out.

ninerbuff · November 2017

If just moving your arms was considered great exercise, then deaf people and drummers should all be pretty fit.

If you sat in a chair and swung your arms for say 5 minutes, you MIGHT burn about 15 calories.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

krael65 · November 2017

I agree with you. It absolutely increases NEAT. It's movement, and it burns calories.

katnadreau · November 2017

Thanks for the feedback, y'all!!! I really appreciate others thoughts. Just to put it out there I don't do challenges, so I'm not cheating anyone except for possibly myself ☺ I've got some spreadsheet going to get real life data from this (do my arms really count), and so far it seems accurate, but I need another 3 weeks or so for complete data. This has been on my mind a lot, and I just wondered if there was another person who thought as I did. I will say I remove my Fitbit when sitting and using my arms, like when playing the ukulele or piano. I also know Fitbit never registers steps when I'm driving. It's been fun experimenting with.

Azdak · November 2017

Trackers use algorithms to translate the various inputs they receive into some measureable units like “steps” or “calories”. So they are all guesstimates. Depending on the activity, arm movements can contribute to overall NEAT. Over the course of the day, “extra” calories from one type of movement can offset no credit given for another type.

As I think you have discovered, as long as your movements are reasonably consistent over time, you should be able find some useful patterns in the numbers, regardless of their absolute accuracy.

stanmann571 · November 2017

lukilton wrote: »

I specifically do strength training for my arms, shoulders, and upper body training, using 3 pound weights. Sometimes while in the kitchen, or doing laundry, I will pick up the weights and do some repetitions of specific exercises. That might be something
you could do which would be beneficial and give you confidence that your
movements are legitimate exercise. A win-win situation all around.

3 pound weights aren't meaningful in regards to arm/shoulder/upper body training.

Otherwise cooks would be incredibly muscular since most pans are well over 3 pounds as are many cuts of meat and most bags of flour/sugar.

Ready2Rock206 · November 2017

I guess if you want to sit in a chair and swing your arms a bit or even put your fitbit on your dog or child to rack up steps as long as you're getting the results you want does it matter what anyone else thinks? The scale will tell you all you need to know.

bobtater1 · November 2017

If you're a fidgeter. Yes, you burn calories https://www.fitnessblender.com/articles/how-many-calories-does-fidgeting-burn-fidgeting-for-weight-lossyou burn calories.

kenyonhaff · November 2017

Of course you burn calories just using arms. Wheelchair athletes and kayakers certainly engage in aerobic activity. Even vigorous heavy housework like vacuuming can be greatly calorie burning.

kenyonhaff · November 2017

Saying that the average household chores like washing dishes or putting away laundry are pretty low on aerobic or strength. Sorry. More than if you stayed on the couch of course.

katnadreau · November 2017

I'm going to try removing my Fitbit when folding laundry and washing dishes, see what it does to my average step count. I'm pathetically excited about this experiment now, and thankful Fitbit sends me a weekly report.

TimothyFish · November 2017

While moving your arms burns calories, giving that movement the same weight as actual steps that move your body forward doesn't make sense. There's a big difference between moving over 100 lbs three feet forward and moving a couple of pounds around.

joemac1988 · November 2017

IMO, tracking steps is only a motivator to keep active and a loose measurement of activity at best. I've had days where I logged 10k steps and burned 5k calories because I lifted heavy and days where I logged 20k steps and burned 4k. I'll take the 10k day every time.

cronus70 · November 2017

I use my ‘standing around flapping my arms’ step count as a guide, however my situation is offset somewhat by the fact I work in a kitchen where at some point I will spend 3 to 4 hours prepping veg for the day. Although the actual cutting of the raw veg requires little lower body movement I do have to lift and move each bag/box of veg to the prep area. Most bags start at 16kg each and sacks of spuds (which have to be lifted up onto the shoulder to tip into an automatic peeler) are 25kg each. It’s a pretty good workout when your prepping upwards of 300kg of raw veg a day.

kenyonhaff · November 2017

stanmann571 wrote: »

lukilton wrote: »

I specifically do strength training for my arms, shoulders, and upper body training, using 3 pound weights. Sometimes while in the kitchen, or doing laundry, I will pick up the weights and do some repetitions of specific exercises. That might be something
you could do which would be beneficial and give you confidence that your
movements are legitimate exercise. A win-win situation all around.

3 pound weights aren't meaningful in regards to arm/shoulder/upper body training.

Otherwise cooks would be incredibly muscular since most pans are well over 3 pounds as are many cuts of meat and most bags of flour/sugar.

It depends where your starting point is. For some people, you don't even start with weights because it's too much.

It depends what your exercise is. Some strength work is dangerous with weights, and others need a little resistance, and some a lot.

Kitchen work in a commercial kitchen can be highly strength-based. Not for one 3 pound roast, but for a 50 pound bag of potatoes, cases of lettuce, or moving heavy equipment...absolutely.

stanmann571 · November 2017

kenyonhaff wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

lukilton wrote: »

I specifically do strength training for my arms, shoulders, and upper body training, using 3 pound weights. Sometimes while in the kitchen, or doing laundry, I will pick up the weights and do some repetitions of specific exercises. That might be something
you could do which would be beneficial and give you confidence that your
movements are legitimate exercise. A win-win situation all around.

3 pound weights aren't meaningful in regards to arm/shoulder/upper body training.

Otherwise cooks would be incredibly muscular since most pans are well over 3 pounds as are many cuts of meat and most bags of flour/sugar.

It depends where your starting point is. For some people, you don't even start with weights because it's too much.

It depends what your exercise is. Some strength work is dangerous with weights, and others need a little resistance, and some a lot.

Kitchen work in a commercial kitchen can be highly strength-based. Not for one 3 pound roast, but for a 50 pound bag of potatoes, cases of lettuce, or moving heavy equipment...absolutely.

A bottle of soda is almost 5 pounds. If you can't do reps with 3-5 pounds, you probably are having trouble with daily living activities.

Do you count arm movement?

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