How to Add an Exercise to Fitbit: A Complete Guide

and overall fitness progress. One of the key features of Fitbit devices is the ability to log and track specific exercises. Whether you’re running, cycling, swimming, or doing yoga, Fitbit allows you to add exercises to track your workouts accurately. This feature can be customized for many different activities, ensuring that you get the most accurate data for your fitness routine.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps on how to add an exercise to your Fitbit device, explore the various exercise modes available, and provide tips for optimizing your Fitbit experience to help you achieve your fitness goals. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user, this article will help you navigate the process seamlessly.

What Are Fitbit Exercise Modes?

Fitbit devices come with a wide variety of pre-set exercise modes designed to track specific types of physical activity. These modes include options for running, walking, cycling, strength training, swimming, and even more specialized activities like Pilates, tennis, and yoga. The advantage of using exercise modes is that they provide specific tracking tools tailored for each type of workout, ensuring more accurate data about things like heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, and steps taken.

In addition to the pre-set modes, Fitbit devices also allow users to add custom exercises, so if your activity isn’t listed in the default options, you can create your own. This is especially useful for less common workouts or specialized routines that may not fall into the standard categories.

Default Exercise Modes

Some of the most common Fitbit exercise modes include:

• Running: For tracking outdoor and treadmill running.
• Walking: For outdoor and indoor walking.
• Cycling: For tracking outdoor cycling or stationary bike workouts.
• Swimming: Tracks swimming performance in a pool.
• Yoga: Focuses on tracking activities like yoga or pilates.
• Strength Training: For weightlifting or bodyweight exercises.
• Hiking: For walking on trails with elevation changes.

How to Add an Exercise to Fitbit

Now, let’s break down the process of adding an exercise to Fitbit based on the device you use. Whether you’re using a Fitbit Charge, Inspire, Versa, or Sense, the general steps for adding an exercise to Fitbit are quite similar, with only minor differences in the interface. We will go over both the mobile app and device-based methods for logging exercises.

Method 1: Adding an Exercise via the Fitbit Device

Step 1: Wake Up Your Device

The first step is to wake up your Fitbit device. You can do this by tapping the screen (on devices like the Versa, Sense, or Charge) or pressing the side button if your model has one (such as the Fitbit Inspire).

Step 2: Open the Exercise Mode Menu

Once the device is awake, swipe to the Exercise option, or if you’re using a device with a button, press the button to access the exercise menu. Depending on your model, the options may look slightly different, but the Exercise or Track Exercise option will usually be found on the main screen or within the list of apps.

Step 3: Select a Pre-Set Exercise Mode

You will be presented with a list of pre-set exercise modes. These are the activities Fitbit is able to track, and it includes common exercises like walking, running, swimming, biking, and more.

To select an exercise:

• Scroll through the list of activities and choose the one you want to track by tapping on it.
• For example, if you’re going for a run, tap on “Run” to start tracking your run.

Step 4: Start Tracking the Exercise

Once you select the exercise, press Start to begin your workout. Your Fitbit device will now start tracking your workout, collecting data on things like heart rate, calories burned, and distance.

Step 5: Stop Tracking

When you’re done with your exercise, press the Stop button. The device will save your exercise session and sync the data with the Fitbit app once your workout is completed.

Method 2: Adding a Custom Exercise Mode

If the activity you’re doing is not available in the default exercise list, you can create a custom exercise mode for it. For example, if you’re practicing an activity like kickboxing or dancing, you can set up a custom mode to track these exercises.

Step 1: Open the Fitbit App

First, open the Fitbit app on your phone. Ensure that your device is synced to the app, as this is where you will manage your custom exercises.

Step 2: Navigate to Exercise Settings

• Tap on your profile picture in the upper-left corner of the screen.
• Scroll down and tap Exercise Shortcuts.
• From here, you can manage your exercise modes and add custom options.

Step 3: Add a New Exercise Mode

• Tap on Add Exercise.
• A list of exercises will appear. You can either select a pre-set exercise or choose the Custom Exercise option to create your own.
• Once you select Custom Exercise, you can name your exercise and choose the metrics you’d like to track, such as calories burned, heart rate, or duration.

Step 4: Save and Use the New Exercise Mode

Once you’ve created your custom exercise mode, save it. It will now appear in the list of exercise options on your Fitbit device.

Step 5: Start Your Custom Exercise

On your Fitbit device, follow the same steps as described for pre-set exercises. When you swipe through the exercise modes, your new custom exercise will be available for tracking.

Method 3: Adding an Exercise via the Fitbit App (Manually Log Activities)

If you forgot to track an exercise or want to log an activity retroactively, Fitbit also allows you to manually add exercises through the app.

Step 1: Open the Fitbit App

Open the Fitbit app on your smartphone and navigate to the Exercise tab or section.

Step 2: Tap on “Log Exercise”

• Find the option labeled Log Exercise.
• You will be prompted to enter details about your activity, including the type of exercise, duration, intensity, and calories burned (if known).

Step 3: Save Your Exercise

Once you’ve entered the details, save the exercise. It will now appear in your Fitbit activity log, and the data will be used to help update your progress toward your fitness goals.

Syncing Your Exercise Data

Once you’ve completed an exercise, Fitbit automatically syncs your data between your device and the app when they are connected via Bluetooth. This sync ensures that your workouts are saved and visible on your dashboard, where you can review your progress, set goals, and track your overall fitness journey.

What Data Does Fitbit Track During Exercise?

Fitbit devices are equipped with sensors that collect a wealth of data during physical activity. Some of the key metrics tracked during exercise include:

• Heart Rate: Tracks how fast your heart is beating during exercise, helping you monitor your workout intensity.
• Steps Taken: Fitbit tracks how many steps you take during a workout, especially useful for walking and running.
• Calories Burned: Estimations of how many calories you burn during your exercise, based on your heart rate, steps, and other factors.
• Distance: Calculated using the built-in GPS or accelerometer, especially useful for outdoor activities like running or cycling.
• Pace: Measures your pace during a run or walk, helping you track your speed over time.
• Duration: Tracks the total time of your workout.
• Active Zone Minutes: Fitbit’s proprietary metric that tracks how much time you spend in heart rate zones, including fat burn, cardio, and peak.

Tips for Optimizing Your Fitbit Exercise Tracking

To make the most out of your Fitbit’s exercise tracking capabilities, here are some tips:

1. Wear Your Fitbit Correctly: For the most accurate readings, make sure your Fitbit is snug on your wrist. It should sit comfortably, not too loose, and not too tight.
2. Enable GPS for Outdoor Activities: If you’re doing an outdoor workout, such as running or cycling, enable GPS on your Fitbit for more accurate tracking of your distance and pace.
3. Use SmartTrack for Automatic Detection: Fitbit’s SmartTrack feature automatically recognizes certain exercises and logs them for you. You don’t always have to manually start a workout for activities like walking, running, or biking.
4. Sync Regularly: Sync your Fitbit device with the app regularly to ensure your data is up to date. This is especially important after completing a workout.
5. Review Your Progress: The Fitbit app provides detailed charts and statistics on your workouts, so make sure to check your progress regularly and adjust your fitness goals as needed.
6. Customize Your Exercise Shortcuts: Add the most common exercises you do to your shortcuts list for quick access. This way, you don’t have to scroll through long lists to find the right activity.

Conclusion

Adding an exercise to your Fitbit is a simple and straightforward process that can help you get the most out of your fitness tracking. Whether you’re using pre-set exercise modes or creating a custom one, Fitbit ensures you can track a wide range of activities accurately, providing valuable data to help you reach your health and fitness goals.