A conundrum

I've just downloaded Strava and had it recording while I walked to and from the dentist. Strava says I walked 6.8miles. My Fitbit says I walked 4.8! I've been using my Fitbit to measure my running distance. How do I know which is right? Of course I hope it's Strava. I'd love to know I've been running 3miles when my Fitbit it tells me I only run 2.4. I'm perplexed to say the least. 🙄

[Hidden]

When I had a fitbit it definitely under counted, though maybe not by that much. Presumably Strava is using GPS via your phone? Tbat will also not be totally accurate. I would think the real number may be between the two.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks that's good news. Time to book myself on a park run!

[MarkyD Graduate]

I’m guessing that you have Strava on your smartphone and the FitBit is one of the ‘non-GPS’ ones like a Flex or Alta.

The FitBit has to estimate your stride-length, based on many factors, including your height, weight, gender, time-of-flight of your foot between it hitting the ground. It is always going to be an estimate, and the Fitbit will have different models depending on your perceived speed - running, walking, brisk walking etc. But it is never going to give an absolute distance. It can help you work out if you ran further today than yesterday and that is very important.

The Strava distance was based on GPS on your phone. In long straight runs, with a few gentle curves it will be the most accurate way to measure distance. In a town (with buildings, intersecting roads and lots of changes in direction) it could be less accurate. But the phone GPS will be more accurate than the Fitbit. So congratulations!!

[Hidden in reply to MarkyD]

Yahoo oooo. ThanksMarkyD

[Whatsapp Graduate]

You could also measure it on google maps and/or gb.mapometer.com/

[Hidden in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks.