FitBit Steps Overcounting

[Shermanator]

Hello
I've owned a FitBit Inspire 3 for a week now and I'm not impressed... I like to walk, I did 2237.67 miles in 2023 and 2579.84 in 2024. This year I'm still walking but plan on getting into cycling. As a result of this I invested in the FitBit. Before I would just use my phone in my pocket, using the S-Health to count steps, distance etc but this was often a nuisance as it would often miss out multiple miles of the journey so thought the FitBit would be more accurate. However, it counts things that aren't steps as steps! Today I know I did 7 miles, slacked off a bit, yet it says I did 8.31, it counts simple movements as steps (and a result distance). I even wake up in the morning with anything from 30-100 steps already clocked!

Any ideas?

[Badda]

You need a sat watch like a garmin if you’re serious about logging distance.

[lancslad58]

"Along with an accelerometer, Fitbit has a finely-tuned algorithm for counting your steps. It looks for motion patterns that meet a certain detection threshold and are indicative of walking. If the pattern and magnitude of the motions meet the standard set by the algorithm, they're counted as steps. A minor movement, like tapping your hand on a desk, won't count.

The data gathered by the accelerometer and counting algorithm are used to calculate surprisingly detailed information about your workout, which is then uploaded to your app when you sync your Fitbit. However, the algorithm isn't perfect. Fitbit sometimes undercount steps if you're walking on a soft surface such as a plush carpet, for example. It may also over count steps at times if you're driving down a really bumpy road".

If you play a set of drums you'll be walking quite a long way! as for your steps during the night that's probably you just rolling over in you sleep.

I gave up on them years ago and switched to this

https://gb.mapometer.com/


An example of what output you get

[dxg]

Maybe swap it to your non-dominant wrist, if it's not already there.

And, you know, take it off for those moments of "self-appreciation."

[Ashfordian]

Shermanator said:

Hello
I've owned a FitBit Inspire 3 for a week now and I'm not impressed... I like to walk, I did 2237.67 miles in 2023 and 2579.84 in 2024. This year I'm still walking but plan on getting into cycling. As a result of this I invested in the FitBit. Before I would just use my phone in my pocket, using the S-Health to count steps, distance etc but this was often a nuisance as it would often miss out multiple miles of the journey so thought the FitBit would be more accurate. However, it counts things that aren't steps as steps! Today I know I did 7 miles, slacked off a bit, yet it says I did 8.31, it counts simple movements as steps (and a result distance). I even wake up in the morning with anything from 30-100 steps already clocked!

Any ideas?

A mile is about 2000 steps.

Did the FitBit record the 7 mile walk as 8.3 miles, or over the day did the FitBit also record your steps when walking to the toilet, kitchen, etc?

Quite simply, you are overanalysing this for the device that you own. If you are doing 14k steps a day minimum as part of a daily walk, 100 steps is a rounding error. What devices at this level are all about is consistency over a period of time, so as long as it is recording 30-100 steps while sleeping every day, you will have consistent measurement.

[H6CJF]

In a similar vein, my wife is experiencing problems with calorie reporting. Versa 3 was fine for ages but then stated under reporting calories whilst swimming (1 cal / minute) a quick google suggests many reports of the same problem albeit with a variety of Fitbit devices. Tried all the online suggestions of restart, reinstall etc etc but no good.
I’m considering getting a Pixel watch instead which I understand will interface fine with Fitbit app (which she loves, and won’t change from) but as she uses an iPhone I don’t know how compatible it will all be.
Has anyone experienced using a Google watch/Fitbit app/iPhone combo?