Fitness Trackers Track Arm Swings As 'Steps'

Your fitness tracker isn’t actually measuring your stride. 👀 Here’s how it approximates your step count.

[poseiidon]

I tested this with my Apple Watch, instead of swinging my arm, I kept it still and held my watch in front of me so I could look at the step count while I walked and it still counts my steps

[lolofriend]

Does this mean i should wear my watch on my leg

[Pyrolonn]

That's good to know. I've been wearing a WiiFitU tracker on a special leg pocket since 2018. It isn't perfect but I'm happy with it. It even gives me credit for biking roughly 20% of the bike mileage (5 miles biking = 1 mile walking). Altitude isn't particularly consistent, especially during very cold parts of winter. The most important function of any fitness tracker is that it generally correlates with physical activity.

[izzy_thump]

Well duh, it's on your wrist not your ankle. This isn't rocket science.

[BenMilford]

I find getting steps when biking particularly annoying.