Fitbit or Treadmill?

[RuNananana]

What do I believe? the mileage on the Fitbit? or the mileage on the treadmill? It's not like they're a little off from one another - it's a full kilometre difference! I either did my 4k this morning - or only 3k. What do you think? (another reason to look forward to the weather improving for outdoor running!!) thanks!! x

[Minimaxi Graduate]

Looks like thers's a lot of estimating involved for the fitbit to calculate distances:

help.fitbit.com/articles/en...

I would trust the treadmill!

[RuNananana Graduate in reply to Minimaxi]

Thanks, Mini - that's what I wanted to hear! lol x

[Minimaxi Graduate in reply to RuNananana]

So I guess the treadmill said you ran 4 k?

[RuNananana Graduate in reply to Minimaxi]

Oh yes!

[davidhwynn Graduate]

I'll look forward to what our forum "experts" have to say, but as an engineer I'd have to say I'd go with the treadmill figure. The treadmill has all the accurate data it needs to get the pretty simple sums right: it knows how fast the band is moving, how long it has been moving for. I'm of course assuming you haven't like some people I see in my gym just been standing on the side supports whilst the band has been churning on all on its own. On the other hand the Fitbit (by the way I have one, love it and wear it all the time) stands little chance when you're on the treadmill. There's no place-to-place movement because you're stuck there on the "hamster wheel". In theory if your stride length was recorded correctly and the Fitbit got your number of strides correct and ...... well you get the message! Incidentally I have also found that on the rowing machine my Fitbit seems to be totally confused and doesn't even get my HR numbers right. Doesn't stop my love affair with my Fitbit though .....

[RuNananana Graduate in reply to davidhwynn]

Oh - David - I love mine too - especially now that I have the Charge 2. Love it. What you're saying makes perfect sense. Plus, as a bonus, it's the preferred response. That reminds me of something I heard a comedian say - that he spends an hour on the treadmill every day - finds it very easy - doesn't turn it on. bahaha So looking forward to running in the warmer weather.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

The Fitbit can only 'calculate' your distance using an estimate/guess of your stride length whereas the treadmill 'knows' the precise distance covered by the belt.

[RuNananana Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Very definitive, Dunder.... thank you!!

[Shorty7 Graduate]

But of a sidetrack but I had a Fitbit and for my 50th was 'upgraded' to an I watch. I was slightly disappointed to find I was having to walk more to gather 10000 steps a day in the iwatch...

[RuNananana Graduate in reply to Shorty7]

That's interesting... hmmm...

[SlowWorm2016 Graduate]

My Fitbit always overestimates the distance I have run because it is calculating it by the number of steps I have taken, and my running stride is shorter than my walking. Hence more steps running to cover the same distance. So I use the fitbit for step number and the garmin for distance when I run.