Tracking your steps with a cellphone

[WDBRDWLK]

Fitbits are popular but are so expensive. I am using an app on my phone to track my steps and I was wondering if anyone also uses an app. If so, do you use a special arm band or waist band to hold your phone while in the parks? I am not fond of keeping my phone in my pocket for fear of losing it while getting on and off rides. Any other suggestions?

 

[SMD]

My phone tracks my steps, it's usually in my pocket or hand. Sometimes in a small bag. It's nowhere near as accurate as my FitBit (which also has accuracy issues). I've tried 3 different apps and had 2 installed at once and they don't match each other. It's get some other kind of physical pedometer like a vivo if you want to track steps.

 

[ehrawn]

I used the Nike+ gps app. Worked fine but drained my battery. A phone isn't optimized for activity tracking like a FitBit, so it needs to use all available sensors, including power-hungry gps. Just bring a USB battery and you should be good.

 

[WonkaKid]

I simply use the "Health" option on my iPhone. Seems to keep a reasonably accurate record step-count/distance walked. On shorter days at the park, I walk approx six miles. On longer visits, it's closer to nine or ten.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

My phone tracks my steps, it's usually in my pocket or hand. Sometimes in a small bag. It's nowhere near as accurate as my FitBit (which also has accuracy issues). I've tried 3 different apps and had 2 installed at once and they don't match each other. It's get some other kind of physical pedometer like a vivo if you want to track steps.

I had a fit bit and it stopped working.. then I had an old fashioned pedometer, and that too stopped working.. so I thought I would try the app. So far so good..

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I used the Nike+ gps app. Worked fine but drained my battery. A phone isn't optimized for activity tracking like a FitBit, so it needs to use all available sensors, including power-hungry gps. Just bring a USB battery and you should be good.

Good idea to bring a USB battery.. never thought of that.. Thanks.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I simply use the "Health" option on my iPhone. Seems to keep a reasonably accurate record step-count/distance walked. On shorter days at the park, I walk approx six miles. On longer visits, it's closer to nine or ten.

I am also using S Health (Samsung) app. Not sure my feet would be happy walking nine or ten miles.. they are not young anymore!

 

[Winnowill]

I used the Moves app on my iPhone last time, though its accuracy was suspect. However, when I hit 30,000 steps one day, I figured that any incremental accuracy issues it may have had were negligible given the number of steps. I don't typically walk enough to warrant purchase of a FitBit; however, I got an Apple Watch for Christmas, so we'll see how it does.

 

[ParkHopper1]

The smartphone apps that just use the phone are INCREDIBLY inaccurate. Myself and a few others have done comparisons with Fitbit and other trackers...not even close.

The app trackers are a joke.

 

[Aladora]

I use an iPhone app called Argus. I used to use a Fitbit but found it to be incredibly inaccurate. I have compared a few apps and found Argus to be quite good.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have found the iPhone health app to be fairly accurate. I would count steps, then compare to the phone. But I have to remember to carry it. I just got an iWatch, watching to see how it does.

 

[DLgal]

The smartphone apps that just use the phone are INCREDIBLY inaccurate. Myself and a few others have done comparisons with Fitbit and other trackers...not even close.

The app trackers are a joke.

The built in S health app for Samsung is extremely accurate. I can literally count my steps along with it.

It's the Fitbits that are inaccurate. I had two that I ended up returning because they were so far off from what my phone said and I know the phone is accurate. My sister wore a fitbit to WDW last year and it gave her 850 steps while she rode space mountain.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

The built in S health app for Samsung is extremely accurate. I can literally count my steps along with it.

It's the Fitbits that are inaccurate. I had two that I ended up returning because they were so far off from what my phone said and I know the phone is accurate. My sister wore a fitbit to WDW last year and it gave her 850 steps while she rode space mountain.

I use the S Health app, my DW wears a fitbit and our DS carries his Nintendo 3DS (gotta get that Street Pass!) so we'd compare steps at the end of the day and, though they were never exactly the same of course, they were always all in the same ballpark.

 

[wenrob]

I have four Fitbits (I might have a problem, lol) and I have tested them against each other and the Health app on my phone. They are all within 50-100 steps of one another so fairly accurate IMO. I use my Fitbits to lose/maintain weight so if they were off I'd know about pretty darn quick. If your Fitbit doesn't seem accurate you need to go in and manually adjust your stride on the app. As to earning steps on rides, depending on where you carry it that will happen with your phone too. You could note the time and go in and remove them if it bugs you too much.

My DH uses the Health app on his phone, DD and I use Fitbits. We usually have about 1,000-1,500 steps more than he does but we're short and he has long legs. The most accurate way with the phone will be to have it on your person near your hips, so a pocket.

 

[apple9117]

I just keep my phone in my pocket...and will put it in my bag when I go on a ride.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I am thinking about getting one of those cell phone holders that wrap around your arm.. I see alot of joggers with those. Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[DL_Forever]

I am thinking about getting one of those cell phone holders that wrap around your arm.. I see alot of joggers with those. Does anyone have any experience with these?

I have one and its not very comfortable - pinches, slips etc. I have an iPhone 6 plus, so I think the weight of it pulls the strap down your arm.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I have one and its not very comfortable - pinches, slips etc. I have an iPhone 6 plus, so I think the weight of it pulls the strap down your arm.

Thanks for letting me know. .I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 so I think I will be in the same situation. We have a 5 and Below store and I think I will go there and spend the $5 and if it does not work for me, then I am only out $5.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

So I went to Walmart and bought one of those cell phone holders that go on your arm. It uses velcro and after about a week of use, it started to slide down my arm.. I saw some that were $25 and up but I am not spending that amount of money to hold a phone.. I guess I will did out my WDW fanny pack and use that!