Give your wrist a break from wearing 24/7 fitness trackers that monitor your health, activity and sleep. If you’re wondering whether you can wear a Fitbit on your ankle to get accurate metrics or if it is even recommended, you are at the right place.
Fitness enthusiasts tend to push their limits and experiment with new and improved ways of generating accurate metrics. So them trying to wear their Fitbits on their ankle for a more accurate step count isn’t bizarre. While Fitbits, like most smartwatches, are meant to be worn on the wrist, some users reported better step tracking, especially while on the treadmill.
Let’s get right into it and see if a Fitbit on the ankle is more accurate than on your wrist.
Can You Wear A Fitbit On Your Ankle?
Yes, you can wear a Fitbit on your ankle, but Fitbit does not officially recommend it. Fitness enthusiasts who have experimented with wearing a Fitbit on their ankle have reported that it can generate an improved step count, particularly for activities where arm movement is minimal, like on a treadmill, for those who like to hold on to the handles.
However:
- Fitbit’s warranty does not cover damage caused by wearing the device anywhere other than the wrist.
- Fitbit sensors are optimised for wrist-based blood flow detection; therefore, heart-rate tracking can become significantly less accurate.
- Fitbit does not manufacture ankle straps; therefore, you need a third-party strap.
When to Wear A Fitbit on Your Ankle
You may get better step accuracy if:
- You don’t swing your arms much while walking or running.
- You like to hold on to the handles while on the treadmill.
- You need a more comfortable position to wear your smartwatch other than your wrist.
- You have a job that limits hand/arm movement, such as a desk job.
Note: Heart rate, calorie, and zone metrics will not be accurate from the ankle.
Pros of Wearing A Fitbit On Your Ankle
1. Better Accuracy for certain activities
You can wear a Fitbit on your ankle for much more accurate tracking of your steps when compared to wearing it on your wrist. As the device is closer to the ground, it is able to note every pace, step, and distance covered a lot more precisely.
2. Precise Detection Of Movements
Wearing a Fitbit on your ankle enables accurate tracking of your physical activities and exercises, including walking, running, cycling, etc., by following the user’s movements a lot more precisely.
3. Comfortable Sleep Tracking
Fitbit users who make use of the device for tracking their sleeping patterns have stated that wearing the device on their ankle is a lot more comfortable than using it on their wrist. It reduces the chances of interference, ensuring that the user gets uninterrupted sleep time.
Cons of Wearing A Fitbit on Your Ankle
1. Limited Access to Display
Users who wear a Fitbit on their ankle will have limited access to the display screen. They will find it difficult to view their fitness progress and information generated by their fitness tracker, as it is all the way down on their ankle.
2. Damage Prone
When you wear a Fitbit on your ankle, it is much more susceptible to damage as the band straps could easily get loose or break due to intense movements, which results in the Fitbit device falling down, resulting in severe damage.
3. Discomfort
Wearing the Fitbit device on your ankle will constantly rub against your ankle, causing irritation and discomfort. Moreover, it will feel unfamiliar when you wear a Fitbit on your ankle to new places or to your place of work.
4. Inaccurate Heart Rate & Calories Burned
Fitbit’s sensors are calibrated for the wrist, not the ankle. This makes HR, calories, and Active Zone Minutes unreliable.
5. No Warranty
The creators of Fitbit have made an official statement claiming that damages inflicted on the device caused by wearing the device on the user’s ankle will not be covered in the warranty, thus making it void.
Best Fitbit Models to Wear on Your Ankle
We have listed some of the best Fitbit devices for you to wear on your ankle when paired with third-party ankle bands for your comfort.
1. Fitbit Inspire 2 / Inspire 3
Compact and lightweight, the Fitbit Inspire series is one of the easiest to fit inside ankle straps.
2. Fitbit Flex 2
Older but extremely light and comfortable to wear on the ankle for those of you who have it.
3. Fitbit Ace 2 (for kids)
This child-friendly fitness tracker works well with an ankle strap if used exclusively for step tracking.
4. Fitbit Charge Series
This wearable tech works with third-party ankle straps that enable you to wear it on your ankle very easily. However, heart rate and GPS tracking won’t be accurate when not worn on the wrist.
Wrap Up
Heart rate, calories burned, step and sleep tracking are vital metrics that directly affect the health and lifestyle of the user concerned. Irregularities and inaccuracies in the data collected could be critical for users, especially those who make use of the device to treat medical conditions.
Although you can wear a Fitbit on your ankle, it works against the norms set by the creators and could result in inconsistencies in metrics other than step count. If you do give this method a try, let us know your experience in the comments.
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