How to Add Indoor Cycling to Fitbit?

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When you buy an activity bracelet or a Fitbit smartwatch, you discover that its main goal is to keep you in shape thanks to its app, where it allows you to record not only your exercises but also your sleep or your daily routine keep track.

However, when we talk about exercises, these devices automatically record the number of steps you take, so what will happen if you want to do cycling?

In case you want indoor cycling, Fitbit will not detect your pedaling. For this to be possible, you must manually add a spinning shortcut as an exercise option from the panel or directly from the app. You can keep track of your training from your smartphone, where you can start or stop your activity. Another option is to add your data manually by entering the app or from the control panel.

Fitbit works thanks to its motion sensors that your body performs whether you practice climbing or running. Depending on the movements you make, the device’s algorithm will detect your physical activity to provide the corresponding training details.

But this does not happen if you do indoor cycling since the steps are not detected, although it will give you information on your heart rate and the calories burned.

To schedule indoor cycling (or any other activity that does not include steps) to the Fitbit app, the process is manual or through the Fitbit Dashboard.

How to Add an Indoor Cycling Activity Shortcut on the Fitbit Device?

In indoor cycling training, we would not be talking about steps but pedaling, which can be translated into spinning.

This is something Fitbit can record as long as you log into the app and manually add spinning as a shortcut on your device.

Whether you have IOS or Android, both operating systems have a similar registration process.

  • First, take your smartphone, open the Fitbit app, go to “Account.”
  • Select the option that says, “Your Device.” Find where it says, “Exercise Shortcuts.” Because the app can only track up to 7 activities simultaneously, you can remove the one you don’t use.
  • Now touch + and choose to spin, and finally, touch ”Add to …’’ (you must put the name of your device).

It is recommended to manually synchronize your device so that you can verify that the changes have been successful.

Can You Track Indoor Cycling on Your Fitbit Device Manually?

Yes, on your device, you should go to the option that says “Exercise” and look for the option that says spinning. If you are going to start, long press on it, and if you finished, tap again.

With this action, you can obtain information such as the number of calories burned, your heart rate data, time, etc.

This will be possible as long as you do not have Fitbit Alta since being a SmartTrack model, it does not have the ability to perform a manual registration, it only does it automatically, and even if it had the option, it would not be possible either because it does not allow adding spinning as an option.

Therefore, obtaining a data record when performing indoor cycling will not be possible because the device will not detect it.

However, all is not lost for Alta or for any other Fitbit device that cannot be tracked manually, and you can do it using the application. How? We will explain that to you in the next section.

How to Record Indoor Cycling Data on the Fitbit.com Dashboard?

  • Step 1: You must go to your Fitbit.com profile’s dashboard by logging in.
  • Step 2: Click on Log. Find where it says Activities and also click on it.
  • Step 3: Now, you must type ”spinning” in the search bar.
  • Step 4: Enter both the time you started your activity and the number of minutes or hours of your training.
  • Step 5: With these data, you will get the number of calories you have burned.
  • Step 6: Finally, click on Log again to see your data in your activities’ history (you can edit it if you need it).

How to Record Indoor Cycling Data via the iOS App?

  • Step 1: Open the application. Once on the dashboard, you must fill in the history of your exercises. For that, press the icon that says Exercise.
  • Step 2: Make sure that the stopwatch icon is on the upper right corner; press it.
  • Step 3: Now, hit Log.
  • Step 4: Type spinning in the search bar.
  • Step 5: Enter both the exact time you started your exercise and the time it lasted.
  • Step 6: Finally, to register the activity, you just have to press ”Add”.

How to Record Cycling Activity Data via the Android App?

  • Step 1: Find and press the icon that says ”Track Exercise”. It is on the panel. Here you will find the history of your workouts.
  • Step 2: In the upper right corner, there should be a stopwatch icon. Press it.
  • Step 3: Press where it says Log Previous.
  • Step 4: Type spinning in the search bar.
  • Step 5: Enter both the exact time you started your exercise and the time it lasted.
  • Step 6: With this data, the app will provide you with the number of calories you have burned.
  • Step 7: Record your exercises. You have to press Log It. And voila!

How to Record Your Indoor Cycling via Windows 10?

  • Step 1: Look for the icon that says Exercise. As always, you will find it on the panel.
  • Step 2: You will find the + icon. Press it.
  • Step 3: Among the different options it will offer you, look for the one that says Spinning.
  • Step 4: Add and record your exercise details.

Can I Automatically Track My Spinning by Putting Fitbit into My Socks?

Although this would be a good option, the data obtained will not be precise or exact. This is because the algorithm is designed to provide data as long as it is on the wrist (it was created to be worn there and not on other parts of the body).

That is why if you decide to start training on an indoor bike, the best option is to follow the guide mentioned above (depending on your operating system) and record the information in such a way always to obtain data safely whenever you want to do a physical activity where steps are not involved.

Does Fitbit Calculate in Miles?

When it comes to spinning or any physical activity where steps are not involved, unfortunately, this device cannot provide this information. Still, it is possible to enter it manually using its app by following the steps mentioned above.

On the other hand, you can know the distance if you use any other app for this physical activity or if your bike has an odometer, you can know the total or partial distance. Once you obtain that information, you only have to enter that data in the app when manually registering your activity.

How Do I Track Spinning on My Fitbit?

This device offers us automatic exercise monitoring thanks to SmartTrack technology to achieve personalized training, capable of measuring workouts such as jogging or running.

However, spinning is not part of the activities it offers. If you want to get a follow-up, then you should add this training in the exercise shortcuts. In this way, through your device, you will obtain information and then synchronize it with the app to view the history.

The smart functions of this bracelet are compatible with iOS and Android. Depending on the operating system you have, follow these steps:

iOS Operative system:

  • Step 1: Look for the Account icon in the app panel. Tap it, and you will see the Charge 3 icon, also tap it.
  • Step 2: Enter where it says Exercise Shortcuts.
  • Step 3: You must choose one of the 6 available activities to delete and replace it with the one you want. To do this, swiping left on a shortcut.
  • Step 4: Tap on the + icon to add spinning as a new shortcut.
  • Step 5: If you want to move a shortcut, you have to keep it pressed and then drag it to where you want.
  • Step 6: It is time to synchronize the device with the app.

Android Operative System:

  • Step 1: Look for the Account icon in the app panel. Tap it, and you will see the Charge 3 icon, also tap it.
  • Step 2: Enter where it says Exercise Shortcuts.
  • Step 3: You must choose one of the 6 available activities to delete and replace it with the one you want. To do this, swiping left on a shortcut. Another option is to hit the Delete icon and then tap on Delete.
  • Step 4: Tap on the “Exercise Shortcut” to add spinning as a new option.
  • Step 5: If you want to move a shortcut, hit on Edit, keep it pressed and then drag it to where you want.
  • Step 6: It is time to synchronize the device with the app.

How Many Steps Are in a Mile on Fitbit?

To obtain the distance, it will be necessary to know the length of your stride which, you can add manually or by adding your gender and height so that the app automatically calculates this data.

In case you want to add the length of your stride manually, you can do it in the online panel, entering Edit Profile. You can also add it directly from the app by going to the Account menu. Once inside, go to Advanced Settings and find where it says “Stride Length”.

For the device to be able to count your steps correctly, walking or running must be accompanied by the movement of the arm where you are wearing the watch, since if you do not, it will not be able to identify them.

Final Thought

Without a doubt, you can configure Fitbit for any physical activity, record your workouts’ progress, and improve at a physical level even if you want to do indoor cycling.

It provides easy control of your activities and works very well on iOS, Android, and Windows 10, becoming the perfect companion to start a healthier life even if you decide to do indoor training.

Having to add your data or configure your training manually should not be a tedious task. You have to get used to it since it has some limitations, although it still works if your training is not step-based.

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