How Do Fitness Trackers Track Steps?

26 minutes read

Fitness trackers track steps through the use of accelerometers. An accelerometer is a sensor that measures acceleration, which can also be used to calculate movement. When you wear a fitness tracker on your wrist or clip it to your clothing, the accelerometer inside senses changes in acceleration caused by your movements.


As you take a step, the fitness tracker detects the movement and acceleration. It can recognize the swinging motion of your arms as you walk or jog and uses this data to count each step you take. The accelerometer measures the force and direction of these movements to determine when a step is taken and registers it as a step count.


Several algorithms are programmed into fitness trackers to differentiate between different types of movements. They can distinguish between regular walking movements and other motions, such as running or cycling. This allows the tracker to accurately measure steps even during various activities like jogging or climbing stairs.


Some fitness trackers also employ a gyroscope, which is another sensor that helps measure orientation and rotation. The gyroscope can provide additional information about the user's movements and improve the accuracy of step tracking.


Once the fitness tracker tracks and counts the steps, it displays the data on its screen or synchronizes it with a mobile app on your smartphone. The stored data can then be used to calculate the distance traveled, calories burned, and overall activity levels for the day.

Best Fitness Trackers in 2024

1
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker with Stress Management, Workout Intensity, Sleep Tracking, 24/7 Heart Rate and more, Midnight Zen/Black One Size (S & L Bands Included)

Rating is 5 out of 5

Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker with Stress Management, Workout Intensity, Sleep Tracking, 24/7 Heart Rate and more, Midnight Zen/Black One Size (S & L Bands Included)

  • Inspire 3 is the tracker that helps you find your energy, do what you love and feel your best. All you have to do is wear it.Operating temperature: 0° to 40°C
  • Move more: Daily Readiness Score(1), Active Zone Minutes, all-day activity tracking and 24/7 heart rate, 20+ exercise modes, automatic exercise tracking and reminders to move
  • Stress less: always-on wellness tracking, daily Stress Management Score, mindfulness sessions, relax breathing sessions, irregular heart rhythm notifications(2), SpO2(3), menstrual health tracking, resting heart rate and high/low heart rate notifications
  • Sleep better:  automatic sleep tracking, personalized Sleep Profile(1), daily detailed Sleep Score, smart wake vibrating alarm, sleep mode
  • Comfortably connected day and night: calls, texts & smartphone app notifications(4), color touchscreen with customizable clock faces, super lightweight and water resistant to 50 meters, up to 10 day battery life(5)
  • Includes a 6-month Premium membership complete with personalized insights, advanced analytics and more (New & returning Premium users only. Must activate trial within 60-days of device activation. Content and features may change)
2
Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker with Stress Management, Sleep Tracking and 24/7 Heart Rate, One Size S L Bands Included, Lunar White/Soft Gold Stainless Steel, 1 Count

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker with Stress Management, Sleep Tracking and 24/7 Heart Rate, One Size S L Bands Included, Lunar White/Soft Gold Stainless Steel, 1 Count

  • See how jewelry gets smart with a tracker that doubles as a timeless accessory and features a vibrant color display. Apple iOS 15 or higher, Android OS 9 or higher .Operating temperature: -20° to 45°C
  • Get better sleep to power your days with sleep tracking and sleep Score in the Fitbit app
  • Feel a Buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones, while you earn active zone minutes
  • 6-month trial of Fitbit Premium(New and returning Premium members only. Must activate trial within 60-days of device activation. Requires valid payment method.Content and features may change. Terms & Conditions apply)
  • Maximize your exercise, understand resting heart rate trends and better estimate calorie burn with 24/7 heart rate tracking
  • Tune in to your body with health metrics like breathing rate, heart rate variability and more (in-app only)
  • Enjoy up to 5 days of battery without having to stop for a charge (varies with use and other factors)
  • Connect Luxe to your phone’s GPS & see real-time pace and distance on your wrist
3
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Smart Watch for Men Android iPhone, Alexa Built-in, 14-Day Battery Life, Fitness Tracker with GPS & 70+ Sports Modes, Blood Oxygen Heart Rate Monitor, 5 ATM Water Resistant-Black

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Smart Watch for Men Android iPhone, Alexa Built-in, 14-Day Battery Life, Fitness Tracker with GPS & 70+ Sports Modes, Blood Oxygen Heart Rate Monitor, 5 ATM Water Resistant-Black

  • 【BUILT IN AMAZON ALEXA & GPS】You can talk to Amazon Alexa on your Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Smart Watch. Ask questions, get translations, set alarms, and timers, create shopping lists, check the weather, control your smart home devices, and more. Get precise tracking on your daily steps, distance traveled, and calories burned thanks to integrated GPS..Water resistance depth:50 meters
  • 【14-DAY LONG-LASTING BATTERY】A fully-optimized battery management system provides upto 14 days of battery life for the Amazfit GTS 2 mini watch. Get rid of the anxiety brought on by constant charging, and keep the energy flowing. The 220mAh battery is ready to power you through upto two weeks of activity.
  • 【70plus SPORTS MODES & 5 ATM WATER RESISTANT】The Amazfit GTS 2 mini features over 70 built-in sports modes, allowing to cover sports enthusiasts whether indoors or outdoors. With 5 ATM water resistance, this fitness watch can resist any of your daily activities and can even be worn while swimming.
  • 【ALL-ROUND HEALTH MANAGEMENT】This smart watch can provide heart rate monitoring, blood-oxygen saturation measurement, sleep monitoring, stress level monitoring and female cycle tracking, as well as other functions to achieve total health management from your wrist. The PAI health assessment system also processes complex health data with an advanced algorithm to present your physical condition in a simple, single-value score.
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  • 【SMART NOTIFICATIONS & COMPATIBILITY】Get an intelligent little pal to remind you of the incoming calls, text messages, apps, and calendars, alarm clock, weather forecast, and suport control the music playback & camera on your smartphone. This smart watch can work seamlessly with iOS 10.0 & Android 5.0 or higher smart phones.
4
Fitness Tracker with Step Counter/Calories/Stopwatch, Activity Tracker, Health Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor, Sleep Tracker,1.10''AMOLED Touch Color Screen, Pedometer Watch for Women Men Kids

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

Fitness Tracker with Step Counter/Calories/Stopwatch, Activity Tracker, Health Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor, Sleep Tracker,1.10''AMOLED Touch Color Screen, Pedometer Watch for Women Men Kids

  • 🏃 【All-day Activity Tracking】Activity & fitness trackers track all day’s activity including daily steps, calorie consumed, workout distance and time, which help you achieve your fitness goals more efficiently. You can see detailed data on App "Keep Health".
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  • 🏃 【24/7 Heart Rate /Sleep Monitor】This fitness tracker can also monitor your heart rate and body temperature all the day. This fitness tracker supports real-time dynamic heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, so you can know more about your physical condition.Track your time indeep Sleep, light Sleep, awake stage to better understand your sleep quality each night.The tracker analysis your sleep data and gives you a nightly sleep score in the app, to help you improving your sleep habits.
  • 🏃 【Smart Functions】An easy-to-use activity fitness tracker with various intelligent features. Including Call & Message Reminder,Remote Photograph, Drink Water Reminder, Sedentary Reminder, Female Health,Family Health, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Find Device, etc.
  • 🏃 【5 ATM Waterproof fitness watch 】Designed according to waterproof and dustproof standard, you can wear it when washing hands, taking bath, swimming, diving or getting caught in the rain will not damage your watch.
  • 🏃 【25 Professional Sport Modes】 This fitness tracker with 25 sports modes to track the corresponding exercise. It will record your workout time, heart rate, and distance.
  • 🏃 【Magnetic fast charging and Wide Compatibility】Regular use up to 10-14 days, standby for 30 days. C60 use magnetic fast charging provides better endurance experience.This watch is suitable for iPhone and android smartphone.Its durable, replaceable and washable strap with secure clasp is adjustable between mix 5.0in and max 9.45in, offering perfect fit for women, men and kids.
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5
Fitness Tracker Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, Large Screen Activity Tracker with Pedometer, Sleep Monitor, Calories & Step Counter, IP68 Waterproof Smart Watch for Women Men Fitness Watch for Sports

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

Fitness Tracker Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, Large Screen Activity Tracker with Pedometer, Sleep Monitor, Calories & Step Counter, IP68 Waterproof Smart Watch for Women Men Fitness Watch for Sports

  • Heart Rate and Sleep Monitoring: The Fitness Tracker monitors your heart rate automatically all day, and you can select manual mode through the App. The fitness Watch also monitors your sleep at night, providing a detailed analysis of your sleep quality (deep sleep, light sleep, awake time). It is a health advisor for women men in daily life.
  • Multi Sport Modes with Activity Tracking: The fitness tracker features 11 sport modes like running, walking and more. Additionally, the activity tracker records daily steps, calories burned, walking distance and active time throughout the day. You can also set a daily steps goals through the App to track your progress.
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  • Long Battery Life and IP68 Waterproof: This smart watch only requires 2 hours of charging and can be used for 5-7 days continuously. IP68 waterproof rating can withstand daily sweat, washing hands and rainy day, allowing you to fully enjoy your workouts.
  • More Functions & Compatibility: Fitness watch comes with multiple smart functions such as stopwatch, alarm clock, breathing guide and sedentary alert, enhancing convenience to your daily routine. The tracker is compatible with iPhone Android Phones which run on iOS 8.0 or Android OS 4.0 & Bluetooth 4.0 or above. Please note that it is not compatible with tablets or computers.
  • Reminders for You: The fitness tracker watch operates by touch button, NOT touch screen. To enhance your wearing comfort, please do not wear the watch too tightly to avoid excessive friction that may cause skin abrasion. Make your watch a rest after prolonged use.
6
Empower Your Lifestyle with Bluetooth Call Fitness Smartwatch for Women/Men, Alexa, Health and Sleep Tracker Smart Watch, Compatible Android iOS, Ideas Gift on Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving Day

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

Empower Your Lifestyle with Bluetooth Call Fitness Smartwatch for Women/Men, Alexa, Health and Sleep Tracker Smart Watch, Compatible Android iOS, Ideas Gift on Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving Day

  • ✅【Compatibility and Integration】The women's and men's smartwatches seamlessly integrate with other devices and applications. Compatibility with smartphone operating systems (iOS or Android) and the ability to make and answer calls, and receive notifications, and messages directly on the watch. Additionally, the smart watches are designed to withstand daily wear and tear and are resistant to water, making them suitable for various activities.
  • ✅【Advanced Health and Fitness Tracking】Smartwatches for women and men that offer comprehensive health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, and workout tracking. Accurate and detailed data insights help us stay motivated and make informed decisions about our health and wellness.
  • ✅【7-Day Battery Life And Quick Charging】 Having a decent battery life is crucial for us to ensure that our multifunctional smartwatch lasts throughout the day without frequent recharging. Quican Bluetooth Smartwatch offers long battery life and has quick charging capabilities.
  • ✅【Customization and Style】Personalization options and over 100 watch faces, Available in 6 colors, and the straps are interchangeable (the strap fits 22 mm). Fitness smartwatches that allow us to customize the appearance to suit our style and preferences.
  • ✅【Customer Support and Return Policy】Having access to responsive customer support and a flexible return policy provides us with peace of mind. In the event of any issues with our waterproof bluetooth smartwatch, Quican is ready to assist and offer a hassle-free return process.
7
Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep & Swim Tracking, Black/Black, One Size (S &L Bands Included)

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep & Swim Tracking, Black/Black, One Size (S &L Bands Included)

  • Use built-in GPS to see your pace and distance on screen during outdoor runs, rides, hikes and more and see a workout intensity map in the app that shows your heart rate changes along your route
  • With Active Zone Minutes, feel a buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones during exercise, and celebrate when you earn extra minutes outside of exercise
  • Get a 90-day free trial of the Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress. Unlock it all in the Fitbit app. (Valid payment method required. Cancel before free trial ends to avoid subscription fees. Offer valid for new Premium users only).Operating temperature: -20° to 60° C
  • Use 24/7 heart rate to track resting heart rate & better measure calorie burn. Syncing to mobile devices requires Bluetooth LE and internet connection. Syncs with Mac OS X 12.2 and up, iPhone 5S and later, iPad 5 gen. and later, Android 7.0 and later
  • See your SpO2 nightly average and range on wrist, and view trends over the past week in the Fitbit app (SpO2 is not available in all markets. The SpO2 feature is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition or for any other medical purpose)
  • Track your skin temperature each night to see how it varies from your personal baseline (Not available in all markets. Only available in the Fitbit app and only displays variation. Not intended for medical purposes)
  • Track workouts in real-time with 20+ goal-based exercise modes. It’s also swimproof and water resistant to 50 Meters, so you can track swims, wear in the shower and more
  • Multi-day battery lasts up to 7 days and up to 5 hours when using built-in GPS (varies with use & other factors). Track sleep stages & review your in-app Sleep Score for an easy way to see how well you slept
8
Health Fitness Tracker with 24/7 Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Blood Pressure, Sleep Tracker, 5ATM Waterproof Activity Trackers with Step Tracker, Pedometer (S & L Bands Included)

Rating is 4.3 out of 5

Health Fitness Tracker with 24/7 Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Blood Pressure, Sleep Tracker, 5ATM Waterproof Activity Trackers with Step Tracker, Pedometer (S & L Bands Included)

  • 【24H Accurate Health Monitoring】Measure your Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Blood Pressure and Stress with this Fitness Tracker. Understand your physical state, especially for high-intensity or outdoor work such as high temperature, brainstorming, stay-up and get professional analysis on how to relax in a healthier and better way. Amzhero Fitness Tracker also analyzes sleep quality and score your sleep quality to help you adjust your sleep habits
  • 【24 Sports Modes & Fitness Tracker】Amzhero Fitness Tracker supports 14 sports such as walking, running, mountaineering, swimming, yoga, hiking, cycling, treadmill, etc . Accurately record all-day activities like steps, distance, calories burned, miles walked, active minutes and give professional analysis on improving your sports and daily habit
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  • 【15 Day Battery Life& 5ATM Waterproof】Fully charge for 2 hours, support 15 days standby time. Large capacity and low power consumption design offers longer endurance. Amzhero fitness watch is designed with 5ATM waterproof, you can wear it when washing hands, in the rain and swimming
  • 【1-Year Warranty Promised & Wide Compatibility】Compatible with iPhone, Samsung etc., built-in BLE5.0 and 300mAh lithium-ion battery. Our free APP "Gloryfit" supports iOS 9.0 / Android 6.0 or above smartphones. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any problem
9
DATAFY Smart Watch for Men Women with Bluetooth Call, Fitness Trackers Watch with Heart Rate Sleep Monitor, Alexa Built-in 1.8" DIY Dial 100 Sports Modes IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for iOS (Beige)

Rating is 4.2 out of 5

DATAFY Smart Watch for Men Women with Bluetooth Call, Fitness Trackers Watch with Heart Rate Sleep Monitor, Alexa Built-in 1.8" DIY Dial 100 Sports Modes IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for iOS (Beige)

  • 【24/7 Health Trackers Watch】Fitness tracker watches offer health monitoring features to help you build a healthier lifestyle. Android iOS watch offers 24h continuous real-time heart rate, sleep monitoring (deep/light sleep), blood oxygen (Sp02), stress, guided breathing exercises, menstrual health tracking and sports activity monitoring. 100 exercise modes, monitor steps, distance and calories with real-time statistics at your fingertips.
  • 【Make/Answer Calls & Read Message】Smart watch for android iOS phones with a built-in speaker, when connected to your phone via Bluetooth, you can answer/dial clear calls directly from your smartwatch. You can also read app message notifications (the watch can't send or return SMS, Bluetooth distance 8-10 meters). With smartwatch for women and men, you don't miss any important information when you are working out or can't reach your phone.
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  • 【1.8'' Large Touch HD Screen & DIY Dials】With the latest upgraded technology, this fitness watch for men women equipped with 1.8 inch ultra clear full touch colour screen, smooth and sensitive. The app also provides 100+ exquisite dials, you also can DIY watch background as you like. Running watch suitable for a variety of wearing scenarios, change freedom between sports and leisure, show your unique personality. What you will receive: smart watch*1, charger*1.
  • 【Long Battery Life】This men smart watch is powered by a 300mAh battery. With 100% power, it can last up to 7 days of normal use, 30 days of standby, and only takes 2 hours to fully charge. No more charging every day! It can support android and iOS phones(Android6.0 and above IOS 9.0 and above). *Not suitable for PC or tablet. DATAFY provide life time technical support and 12 months warranty, buy it with confidence.


Do fitness trackers track steps differently for individuals with different heights or body types?

Yes, fitness trackers may track steps differently for individuals with different heights or body types. The accuracy of step tracking can be affected by several factors, including stride length, arm swing, and body composition.


People with shorter heights might have shorter stride lengths, resulting in more steps being recorded compared to someone taller with longer stride lengths covering the same distance. Similarly, individuals with different body types may have variations in arm swing while walking or running, which can affect the step count measurements.


Additionally, some fitness trackers use different sensors and algorithms to estimate steps, which might introduce variations in accuracy for different individuals. It is important to note that the accuracy of step tracking can vary across different fitness tracker models and brands as well.


Are fitness trackers accurate in tracking steps?

Fitness trackers, particularly those equipped with motion sensors or accelerometers, are generally accurate in tracking steps. However, the accuracy may vary depending on the specific brand, model, and individual usage. In most cases, fitness trackers can provide a fairly accurate estimate of the number of steps taken throughout the day. Nevertheless, it's important to note that no technology is perfect, and fitness trackers may occasionally miscount or misinterpret certain movements, leading to slight inaccuracies.


Can fitness trackers synchronize step tracking data with other health and fitness apps?

Yes, most fitness trackers can synchronize step tracking data with other health and fitness apps. Fitness trackers often have companion apps that allow you to connect and sync your data with popular health and fitness apps like Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, Strava, Fitbit App, and more. This integration helps consolidate and analyze your data from different sources, providing a more comprehensive picture of your overall health and fitness.


Do fitness trackers count steps if the wearer is using a treadmill or elliptical machine?

Yes, most fitness trackers can count steps accurately even when the wearer is using a treadmill or elliptical machine. Fitness trackers usually employ accelerometers or similar sensors to detect movement and translate it into step counts. While on a treadmill or elliptical, the device can still track your steps based on the motion of your wrist or body. However, keep in mind that step count measurements may not be as precise as when you're walking or running outdoors, as treadmill or elliptical workouts involve repetitive movements and may not fully replicate the natural gait pattern.


How do fitness trackers handle collective steps taken during activities involving both arms and legs, like swimming or rowing?

Fitness trackers use various methods to estimate and track steps during activities involving both arms and legs, such as swimming or rowing. Here are a few ways they handle these scenarios:

  1. Accelerometer-based motion tracking: Fitness trackers often include an accelerometer, which measures movement and acceleration. During activities like swimming or rowing, the accelerometers detect the overall motion patterns and movements of the body. Although it may not accurately measure steps in these activities, it estimates the intensity, duration, and calories burned using algorithms specific to the activity.
  2. Heart rate monitoring: Some fitness trackers use heart rate sensors to estimate the intensity of the activity. By tracking your heart rate during swimming or rowing, the device can infer the level of effort being exerted and provide more accurate estimations of calories burned.
  3. Customized algorithms: Fitness trackers employ complex algorithms designed to recognize specific activity patterns. Manufacturers develop specialized algorithms for different activities like swimming or rowing. These algorithms are refined using machine learning techniques and large datasets to improve accuracy over time.
  4. Manual activity selection: Many fitness trackers allow users to manually select the type of activity they are performing, including swimming or rowing. By choosing the exact activity, the tracker will adjust its calculations and provide more accurate data based on known patterns associated with that activity.


It's important to note that fitness trackers might not provide precise step counts for activities like swimming or rowing. However, they can still monitor overall fitness metrics like heart rate, duration, distance, and calories burned.

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