Accuracy on a treadmill

[animan]

Just completed a 15 min run on a treadmill. Treadmill readings show that I went 0.5 mile, while the band only registers 0.09miles. The step count barely went up from previous step count. The calorie count was also half of what the treadmill was showing. The HR was pretty close though.

What gives? I was holding on to the treadmill handle bars during the walk, not sure if the hands have to be moving for it to register the steps correctly.

Sent from my Surface Pro 3 using Tapatalk

 

[several potatos]

Pretty sure hands have to be moving.

 

[Dima Habenko]

Yep, hands on the bar. Problem with all fitness devices, not just the band. The sensor can not count steps if there is no sufficient arm movement. Next time try to use Exercise mode, let us know if you see difference.

 

[Penny_1]

What gives? I was holding on to the treadmill handle bars during the walk, not sure if the hands have to be moving for it to register the steps correctly.

That very well could be the reason. Pedometers count steps with the use of accelerometers, so if the device isn't moving in the way it would expect to be moved while taking steps, then it's not registering those movements as steps.

 

[DroidUser42]

What mode did you use? I think "run" uses GPS for distance. As others have said, if the motion isn't what it expects, it's not going to do an accurate step count.

 

[animan]

Thanks for the responses.

What mode did you use? I think "run" uses GPS for distance. As others have said, if the motion isn't what it expects, it's not going to do an accurate step count.

Yes, I did use Run mode with GPS enabled. Figured I would try if the GPS works or not and it does... even indoors. The GPS possibly accounts for the wrong distance reading, but steps & calories should not have been affected. I will try again tomorrow with GPS off and also try exercise mode as was suggested. My wife's fitbit, that she clips to her belt, works quite well on the treadmill so would be a little disappointed if I cannot use the band on the treadmill.

 

[DroidUser42]

My wife's fitbit, that she clips to her belt, works quite well on the treadmill so would be a little disappointed if I cannot use the band on the treadmill.

The hips have motion that can be sensed by some devices. But if it's on your wrist and your hand is holding a stationary object, there's not going to be much motion to sense.

If you can hold with just one hand and let your Band hand dangle and swing normally, it should work. Or if you could use an elliptical with the moving handholds.

 

[Jason Hoffman2]

Fitbit works fine on the treadmill. I can't get any steps registered on my band when using my treaddesk. Honestly a pretty massive disappointment.

 

[surfacedude]

Fitbit works fine on the treadmill. I can't get any steps registered on my band when using my treaddesk. Honestly a pretty massive disappointment.

This seems like a weird oversight. Theres no way to get the band to register a run or walk on a treadmill?

 

[Abel Wang]

I went on a 4+ mile run last night on the treadmill and the band tracked it just fine. I did not hold onto the handrail. At the end of the 4 mile run, it was almost spot on with what the treadmill said. I have also gone on multiple 4+ mile runs outside with GPS turned on.

--abel

 

[surfacedude]

How do you set the band for your treadmill runs? Maybe some folks are doing it wrong.

I went on a 4+ mile run last night on the treadmill and the band tracked it just fine. I did not hold onto the handrail. At the end of the 4 mile run, it was almost spot on with what the treadmill said. I have also gone on multiple 4+ mile runs outside with GPS turned on.

--abel

 

[swndg86]

GPS should be off on a treadmill according to the Microsoft support documentation. I ran on a treadmill tonight and the Band matched the treadmill data and my Polar HRM.

 

[animan]

GPS should be off on a treadmill according to the Microsoft support documentation. I ran on a treadmill tonight and the Band matched the treadmill data and my Polar HRM.

Thanks for the information. Did you hold on to the handrail?

 

[DroidUser42]

GPS should be off on a treadmill according to the Microsoft support documentation.

How do they advise turning it off? Airplane mode? Or use the "workout" tile rather than "run"? Because I don't see an obvious way to turn off just the GPS.

 

[animan]

How do they advise turning it off? Airplane mode? Or use the "workout" tile rather than "run"? Because I don't see an obvious way to turn off just the GPS.

If you select the "Run" tile and scroll left you will see GPS option.

 

[undisputed n00b]

Yep, hands on the bar. Problem with all fitness devices, not just the band. The sensor can not count steps if there is no sufficient arm movement. Next time try to use Exercise mode, let us know if you see difference.

Buy a large and see if it will fit on your leg? That way it will register every step for sure.

 

[gshifrin]

Works fine if I keep it in my pocket while running on the treadmill or elliptical.

 

[swndg86]

Step 1: On your Microsoft Band, press the power button.
Step 2: Swipe left, and tap the Run Tile .
Step 3: Swipe left to see Run with GPS (optional).

Tap to turn Off GPS for running on a treadmill.
Tap to turn On GPS for running any distance.

 

[DroidUser42]

If you select the "Run" tile and scroll left you will see GPS option.

Thanks. I wonder what the difference between run with GPS off and exercise is. Steps?

 

[sjjones]

This seems like a weird oversight. Theres no way to get the band to register a run or walk on a treadmill?

while you will not be able to monitor HR, just put it in your pocket, its working fine for me (have FB force, Band and lifespan treadmill desk)