Fitbit & Strava
Discussion
Hi all,
Sorry if this has been talked about previously, I'm thinking about getting a Fitbit charge HR to watch my exercise and i've read up on the integration between the two but the i've read a lot of other forums saying it doesn't work very well but most of these were 6+ months ago and nothing recent.
I was just wondering if anyone uses one at the minute and what it's actually like at tracking your cycling activity. I'll also use it for the gym too as at the minute i'm cycling 4 days a week to work and back and going to the gym 5 days so i should get some use out of it.
Any experience would be ace!
Sorry if this has been talked about previously, I'm thinking about getting a Fitbit charge HR to watch my exercise and i've read up on the integration between the two but the i've read a lot of other forums saying it doesn't work very well but most of these were 6+ months ago and nothing recent.
I was just wondering if anyone uses one at the minute and what it's actually like at tracking your cycling activity. I'll also use it for the gym too as at the minute i'm cycling 4 days a week to work and back and going to the gym 5 days so i should get some use out of it.
Any experience would be ace!
Hey,
The HR does not share any information with Strava. I have the HR now, the only Fitbit that does is the Surge due to it having GPS capabilities. I cannot comment of the effectiveness of the Charge.
Edit to say,
I use the Charge everyday but still record rides on my garmin and use their sync service to pass the information to Fitbit and Strava at the same time.
The HR does not share any information with Strava. I have the HR now, the only Fitbit that does is the Surge due to it having GPS capabilities. I cannot comment of the effectiveness of the Charge.
Edit to say,
I use the Charge everyday but still record rides on my garmin and use their sync service to pass the information to Fitbit and Strava at the same time.
GarryDK said:
Hey,
The HR does not share any information with Strava. I have the HR now, the only Fitbit that does is the Surge due to it having GPS capabilities. I cannot comment of the effectiveness of the Charge.
Edit to say,
I use the Charge everyday but still record rides on my garmin and use their sync service to pass the information to Fitbit and Strava at the same time.
Ahhh ok! that's a bit annoying! Still if i used Strava i'm guessing when i finish my rides it would pass that information to Fitbit right?The HR does not share any information with Strava. I have the HR now, the only Fitbit that does is the Surge due to it having GPS capabilities. I cannot comment of the effectiveness of the Charge.
Edit to say,
I use the Charge everyday but still record rides on my garmin and use their sync service to pass the information to Fitbit and Strava at the same time.
richatnort said:
Ahhh ok! that's a bit annoying! Still if i used Strava i'm guessing when i finish my rides it would pass that information to Fitbit right?
No, unfortunately, not that I know of.The only way I have found to do it is through Garmin.
http://www.fitdatasync.com/
There maybe 3rd party apps that can do it though.
Fitbit are odd company when it comes to sharing information.
Edited by GarryDK on Tuesday 19th April 15:39
I have the ChargeHR and use it with the iOS app on my phone to track runs. You need to have the phone with you while you're out as that records the GPS locations, and it grabs the HR info from the Fitbit.
I have it linked up so that it automatically pushes the results up to Strava as soon as I've finished, no manual intervention required.
The one issue that I've seen is that it sometimes fails to push the full HR data up to Strava, so the graph just goes flat about 2/3 of the way through the activity, which is annoying.
I have it linked up so that it automatically pushes the results up to Strava as soon as I've finished, no manual intervention required.
The one issue that I've seen is that it sometimes fails to push the full HR data up to Strava, so the graph just goes flat about 2/3 of the way through the activity, which is annoying.
SlidingSideways said:
I have the ChargeHR and use it with the iOS app on my phone to track runs. You need to have the phone with you while you're out as that records the GPS locations, and it grabs the HR info from the Fitbit.
I have it linked up so that it automatically pushes the results up to Strava as soon as I've finished, no manual intervention required.
The one issue that I've seen is that it sometimes fails to push the full HR data up to Strava, so the graph just goes flat about 2/3 of the way through the activity, which is annoying.
How?I have it linked up so that it automatically pushes the results up to Strava as soon as I've finished, no manual intervention required.
The one issue that I've seen is that it sometimes fails to push the full HR data up to Strava, so the graph just goes flat about 2/3 of the way through the activity, which is annoying.
Ive tried several times. Never works. Does the GPS automatically pick up when your phone is near?
Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap the little + icon at the top right and hit "Track Exercise". You can set the type (Running, cycling etc...) and set a playlist and/or cues, then just hit start and run/pedal. You obviously have to keep the phone on you while you're out.
Hit stop and save when you're done, and if the Strava integration is set up then it should push the data up there for you.
Hit stop and save when you're done, and if the Strava integration is set up then it should push the data up there for you.
My apologies, just double checked and indeed cycling isn't there.
I could've sworn I'd seen it before though, but a quick Google shows that I was probably imagining it
There's a couple of suggestions that you can use something else to track the ride, and then import that into the Fitbit app which should then marry up the heart rate info automagically, and then you can export to Strava, but that sounds like a bit of a faff.
I could've sworn I'd seen it before though, but a quick Google shows that I was probably imagining it
There's a couple of suggestions that you can use something else to track the ride, and then import that into the Fitbit app which should then marry up the heart rate info automagically, and then you can export to Strava, but that sounds like a bit of a faff.
Thanks for the advice my Fitbit is due to arrive today. Slightly annoying it doesn't really monitor cycling you'd think they'd of developed that first but never mind! I will look online at the best method but it might be that i just use strava separately and the fitbit to monitor my exercise.
I asked this some months ago and still haven't bought anything. Probably waiting as technology is moving so quickly - and especially I'm looking to see improved battery times.
Recently got a cheap HR strap from Lidl which stated it was compatible with Android and iOS. Sadly it only works with my wife's iOS which she lets me use on a weekend, so still relying on my Garmin Edge 200 - without HR - during the week.
For an all in one the Surge is the only Fitbit still that fits the bill - the newer Blaze annoyingly needs to link with your mobile to access the GPS - and the all important altimeter data (you will no doubt have your phone with you but why kill two batteries for one job).
The Surge isn't turned on automatically for cycling - its working like the Charge HR in normal mode. You then need to access the GPS function for cycling.
A second reason I'm torn and undecided. The HR on a wrist band is brilliant - who wants a chest band. BUT - lets says you want to place your device on a bar mount to have easier visibility - scare yourself with your maximum HR or more importantly set your pace to meet your goal (fat burn vs cardio) - then a chest band will work better. I'm constantly doing cardio as I ride as hard as I can all the time - my heart is good but I'm still a fat b@st@rd. So maybe a chest band is the way to go, like the higher end Garmin - or Polar.
Sadly though I think the answer is two devices - a smartwatch for day to day ease. Plus a more specific device for better visibility during cycling. Two devices, sometimes running un-necessarily at the same time and both showing the same data (give or take - amazing differences I see when using the Garmin 200 and the iOS at the same time on a weekend - but both lacking the easy HR visibility - easily see half a mile difference on a 40 mile ride - or 100ft of climbing) Arrgh !
Recently got a cheap HR strap from Lidl which stated it was compatible with Android and iOS. Sadly it only works with my wife's iOS which she lets me use on a weekend, so still relying on my Garmin Edge 200 - without HR - during the week.
For an all in one the Surge is the only Fitbit still that fits the bill - the newer Blaze annoyingly needs to link with your mobile to access the GPS - and the all important altimeter data (you will no doubt have your phone with you but why kill two batteries for one job).
The Surge isn't turned on automatically for cycling - its working like the Charge HR in normal mode. You then need to access the GPS function for cycling.
A second reason I'm torn and undecided. The HR on a wrist band is brilliant - who wants a chest band. BUT - lets says you want to place your device on a bar mount to have easier visibility - scare yourself with your maximum HR or more importantly set your pace to meet your goal (fat burn vs cardio) - then a chest band will work better. I'm constantly doing cardio as I ride as hard as I can all the time - my heart is good but I'm still a fat b@st@rd. So maybe a chest band is the way to go, like the higher end Garmin - or Polar.
Sadly though I think the answer is two devices - a smartwatch for day to day ease. Plus a more specific device for better visibility during cycling. Two devices, sometimes running un-necessarily at the same time and both showing the same data (give or take - amazing differences I see when using the Garmin 200 and the iOS at the same time on a weekend - but both lacking the easy HR visibility - easily see half a mile difference on a 40 mile ride - or 100ft of climbing) Arrgh !
ClassicMercs said:
I asked this some months ago and still haven't bought anything. Probably waiting as technology is moving so quickly - and especially I'm looking to see improved battery times.
Recently got a cheap HR strap from Lidl which stated it was compatible with Android and iOS. Sadly it only works with my wife's iOS which she lets me use on a weekend, so still relying on my Garmin Edge 200 - without HR - during the week.
For an all in one the Surge is the only Fitbit still that fits the bill - the newer Blaze annoyingly needs to link with your mobile to access the GPS - and the all important altimeter data (you will no doubt have your phone with you but why kill two batteries for one job).
The Surge isn't turned on automatically for cycling - its working like the Charge HR in normal mode. You then need to access the GPS function for cycling.
A second reason I'm torn and undecided. The HR on a wrist band is brilliant - who wants a chest band. BUT - lets says you want to place your device on a bar mount to have easier visibility - scare yourself with your maximum HR or more importantly set your pace to meet your goal (fat burn vs cardio) - then a chest band will work better. I'm constantly doing cardio as I ride as hard as I can all the time - my heart is good but I'm still a fat b@st@rd. So maybe a chest band is the way to go, like the higher end Garmin - or Polar.
Sadly though I think the answer is two devices - a smartwatch for day to day ease. Plus a more specific device for better visibility during cycling. Two devices, sometimes running un-necessarily at the same time and both showing the same data (give or take - amazing differences I see when using the Garmin 200 and the iOS at the same time on a weekend - but both lacking the easy HR visibility - easily see half a mile difference on a 40 mile ride - or 100ft of climbing) Arrgh !
I've no personal experience of the Fitbit but someone on my Strava feed is regularly complaining about his missing data from his Surge - not so much HR, but incorrect times/distances etc. Touch wood not an issue I've had with my TomTom Runner 2 Cardio.Recently got a cheap HR strap from Lidl which stated it was compatible with Android and iOS. Sadly it only works with my wife's iOS which she lets me use on a weekend, so still relying on my Garmin Edge 200 - without HR - during the week.
For an all in one the Surge is the only Fitbit still that fits the bill - the newer Blaze annoyingly needs to link with your mobile to access the GPS - and the all important altimeter data (you will no doubt have your phone with you but why kill two batteries for one job).
The Surge isn't turned on automatically for cycling - its working like the Charge HR in normal mode. You then need to access the GPS function for cycling.
A second reason I'm torn and undecided. The HR on a wrist band is brilliant - who wants a chest band. BUT - lets says you want to place your device on a bar mount to have easier visibility - scare yourself with your maximum HR or more importantly set your pace to meet your goal (fat burn vs cardio) - then a chest band will work better. I'm constantly doing cardio as I ride as hard as I can all the time - my heart is good but I'm still a fat b@st@rd. So maybe a chest band is the way to go, like the higher end Garmin - or Polar.
Sadly though I think the answer is two devices - a smartwatch for day to day ease. Plus a more specific device for better visibility during cycling. Two devices, sometimes running un-necessarily at the same time and both showing the same data (give or take - amazing differences I see when using the Garmin 200 and the iOS at the same time on a weekend - but both lacking the easy HR visibility - easily see half a mile difference on a 40 mile ride - or 100ft of climbing) Arrgh !
Like someone else above I'm a runner that's starting to cycle more, and it would be convenient to have the watch on the handlebars. They do a handlebar mount for it (though I'd be tempted to just cut some foam to shape instead) and they work with external HRM's and Speed/Cadence sensors, so for me it's really handy - cheaper to buy accessories than a new system. If I get into cycling then an external HRM is something I'd seriously consider, whilst still having the benefit of the optical HRM for my running or if I just want to record rather than view - recovery rides etc.
I would like phone notifications though. The odd rumbling on the net about a firmware update bringing that, but I'm not sure myself.
I use Strava and a FitbitHR. I kick off activities in Strava and key bits of info automatically sync with Fitbit.
I find the Heart Rate monitor isn't that accurate for me. It always says I am in the "fat burning zone" even when I know I've pushed really hard up a hill and felt my heart beating out of my chest.
I was going to invest in a heart monitor (or power meter but that's another discussion) for better training data.
I found the Fitbit good for running but have given that up for a bit owing to injury.
I find the Heart Rate monitor isn't that accurate for me. It always says I am in the "fat burning zone" even when I know I've pushed really hard up a hill and felt my heart beating out of my chest.
I was going to invest in a heart monitor (or power meter but that's another discussion) for better training data.
I found the Fitbit good for running but have given that up for a bit owing to injury.
I used to have a Surge, I say 'a', I think I had about 4 from them as they're very poorly made. The strap will fall to pieces on it after about 6 months, but they'll always send you a new one if you complain. They're also useless for tracking long bike rides as with the GPS running, the battery will run out about about 3-4 hours. I switched to the Blaze and it's much better, you do need your phone with you for it to work but your phone has a much larger battery and will last a long ride. The strap is made from a different material which is far more durable too (and it's not porous so it doesn't get gunked up and gross).
I track my cycle to work every day with it and I find Fitbit syncs with Strava just fine. However, I've found that the Blaze will stop tracking if you close the Fitbit app part way through a ride (if you've got it open to start with) - it's a weird bug so now I just keep the Fitbit app backgrounded if I'm going on a ride I really care about tracking.
I track my cycle to work every day with it and I find Fitbit syncs with Strava just fine. However, I've found that the Blaze will stop tracking if you close the Fitbit app part way through a ride (if you've got it open to start with) - it's a weird bug so now I just keep the Fitbit app backgrounded if I'm going on a ride I really care about tracking.
I use a Charge HR, Strava and a Mio Link HR band.
I looked into this a lot when buying the charge HR and just accepted the limitations in the end. It does not provide real time HR info to anything.
I use Strava to track my rides. The Mio Link works with this to record my HR.
Strava then syncs the ride to Fitbit.
Do not wear the Charge HR while riding or it will double count movement and climbing.
The Mio Link also works well with TrainerRoad if you use it. I record a ride in TR, that then syncs to Strava, which in turn syncs to Fitbit.
Convoluted, but it works.
I looked into this a lot when buying the charge HR and just accepted the limitations in the end. It does not provide real time HR info to anything.
I use Strava to track my rides. The Mio Link works with this to record my HR.
Strava then syncs the ride to Fitbit.
Do not wear the Charge HR while riding or it will double count movement and climbing.
The Mio Link also works well with TrainerRoad if you use it. I record a ride in TR, that then syncs to Strava, which in turn syncs to Fitbit.
Convoluted, but it works.
I've been using Fitbit HR since Xmas, frankly I've completely over it.
I've had a few technical issues with it, their support teams are completely useless, the kept sending me work through lists to fix things that never worked, it was invariably a issue with an iOS update and the only fix was simple, remove the Fitbit from list of bluetooth connections on my iPhone, then reconnect - job jobbed but they insisted on 15 point lists of holding buttons for 15 seconds or 5, then releasing and 5 again...
But, the big issue is despite all their promises, they don't really do anything that can't be done better elsewhere for less:
If you want a pedometer, most smart phones will do it for you - they're -/+ 5% the same in my experience.
If you want an app to record food intake, MyFitnessPal is far, far better.
If you want to try to calculate output in kcals, you might as well use a random number generator - I thought Strava was bad (for MTB riding) - I followed their diet/exorcise plan to the letter for 3 months, after 12 months of following a combination of MyFitnessPal and Strava I was losing 2Kgs-4Kgs a month, 3 months of Fitbit and I gained 1Kgs over-all.
If you want to try to calculate output for a given ride then a normal HRM synced with Strava is far better.
I'm still wearing the thing now, mostly because it was a gift from my Wife, but really I don't know why - I can't trust it for output, I don't really care about how many steps I take in a day - about the only thing I occasionally care about it my resting heart rate - (54 btw) but if you want that accurate, you need to wear it in your sleep, which I don't like.
Ultimately, it's become a slightly crap plastic digital watch that needs to be charged every few days.
I've had a few technical issues with it, their support teams are completely useless, the kept sending me work through lists to fix things that never worked, it was invariably a issue with an iOS update and the only fix was simple, remove the Fitbit from list of bluetooth connections on my iPhone, then reconnect - job jobbed but they insisted on 15 point lists of holding buttons for 15 seconds or 5, then releasing and 5 again...
But, the big issue is despite all their promises, they don't really do anything that can't be done better elsewhere for less:
If you want a pedometer, most smart phones will do it for you - they're -/+ 5% the same in my experience.
If you want an app to record food intake, MyFitnessPal is far, far better.
If you want to try to calculate output in kcals, you might as well use a random number generator - I thought Strava was bad (for MTB riding) - I followed their diet/exorcise plan to the letter for 3 months, after 12 months of following a combination of MyFitnessPal and Strava I was losing 2Kgs-4Kgs a month, 3 months of Fitbit and I gained 1Kgs over-all.
If you want to try to calculate output for a given ride then a normal HRM synced with Strava is far better.
I'm still wearing the thing now, mostly because it was a gift from my Wife, but really I don't know why - I can't trust it for output, I don't really care about how many steps I take in a day - about the only thing I occasionally care about it my resting heart rate - (54 btw) but if you want that accurate, you need to wear it in your sleep, which I don't like.
Ultimately, it's become a slightly crap plastic digital watch that needs to be charged every few days.
P-Jay said:
I've been using Fitbit HR since Xmas, frankly I've completely over it.
I've had a few technical issues with it, their support teams are completely useless, the kept sending me work through lists to fix things that never worked, it was invariably a issue with an iOS update and the only fix was simple, remove the Fitbit from list of bluetooth connections on my iPhone, then reconnect - job jobbed but they insisted on 15 point lists of holding buttons for 15 seconds or 5, then releasing and 5 again...
But, the big issue is despite all their promises, they don't really do anything that can't be done better elsewhere for less:
If you want a pedometer, most smart phones will do it for you - they're -/+ 5% the same in my experience.
If you want an app to record food intake, MyFitnessPal is far, far better.
If you want to try to calculate output in kcals, you might as well use a random number generator - I thought Strava was bad (for MTB riding) - I followed their diet/exorcise plan to the letter for 3 months, after 12 months of following a combination of MyFitnessPal and Strava I was losing 2Kgs-4Kgs a month, 3 months of Fitbit and I gained 1Kgs over-all.
If you want to try to calculate output for a given ride then a normal HRM synced with Strava is far better.
I'm still wearing the thing now, mostly because it was a gift from my Wife, but really I don't know why - I can't trust it for output, I don't really care about how many steps I take in a day - about the only thing I occasionally care about it my resting heart rate - (54 btw) but if you want that accurate, you need to wear it in your sleep, which I don't like.
Ultimately, it's become a slightly crap plastic digital watch that needs to be charged every few days.
I do know what you mean about it being limited in it's use. I've had a few technical issues with it, their support teams are completely useless, the kept sending me work through lists to fix things that never worked, it was invariably a issue with an iOS update and the only fix was simple, remove the Fitbit from list of bluetooth connections on my iPhone, then reconnect - job jobbed but they insisted on 15 point lists of holding buttons for 15 seconds or 5, then releasing and 5 again...
But, the big issue is despite all their promises, they don't really do anything that can't be done better elsewhere for less:
If you want a pedometer, most smart phones will do it for you - they're -/+ 5% the same in my experience.
If you want an app to record food intake, MyFitnessPal is far, far better.
If you want to try to calculate output in kcals, you might as well use a random number generator - I thought Strava was bad (for MTB riding) - I followed their diet/exorcise plan to the letter for 3 months, after 12 months of following a combination of MyFitnessPal and Strava I was losing 2Kgs-4Kgs a month, 3 months of Fitbit and I gained 1Kgs over-all.
If you want to try to calculate output for a given ride then a normal HRM synced with Strava is far better.
I'm still wearing the thing now, mostly because it was a gift from my Wife, but really I don't know why - I can't trust it for output, I don't really care about how many steps I take in a day - about the only thing I occasionally care about it my resting heart rate - (54 btw) but if you want that accurate, you need to wear it in your sleep, which I don't like.
Ultimately, it's become a slightly crap plastic digital watch that needs to be charged every few days.
For me, the Fitbit is to track my steps/activity and thats it. I use MFP for calorie counting and have it set to sedentary. Fitbit then adds to the allowance based on how much I do each day.
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