How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?

Step up your workouts with the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running on certain Fitbit devices.

Most devices automatically track several exercises, including a walk, run, or elliptical workout. For more information, see How do I track my activity with my Fitbit device?

20+ exercises are available in the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running. Choose the option that best matches your activity (for example, if you attend a spin class, use Spinning). If your exercise isn’t included, choose Workout.

Add your favorite exercises to the shortcuts list. For more information, see Can I change or reorder the exercises on my Fitbit device?

Stick figure riding a bike next to the word "Bike" Stick figure pushing an object next to the word "Bootcamp" Stick figure running next to the words "Circuit training" Stick figure on an elliptical machine next to the word "Elliptical"
Stick figure with a golf club next to the word "Golf" Stick figure with a backpack and walking stick next to the word "Hike" Stick figure running by a timer next to the words "Interval workout" Stick figure kicking a hanging target next to the word "Kickboxing"
Stick figure kicking next to the words "Martial arts" Stick figure doing pilates next to the word "Pilates" Stick figure running next to the word "Run" Stick figure on a stationary bike next to the word "Spinning"
Stick figure climbing stairs next to the words "Stair climber" Stick figure swimming next to the word "Swim" Stick figure with a tennis racket next to the word "Tennis" Stick figure running on a treadmill next to the word "Treadmill"
Stick figure walking next to the word "Walk" Stick figure lifting weights next to the word "Weights" Stick figure doing mountain climbers next to the word "Workout" Stick figure doing yoga next to the word "Yoga"

Add your favorite exercises to the shortcuts list on your device. For Fitbit Ionic, Fitbit Sense, and Fitbit Versa series, all exercises are available in the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running . Note that Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 don't have a shortcuts list.

  1. Tap the Today tab Fitbit logo in black, which looks like 13 circles in the shape of a diamond, where the circles are larger from left to right > your profile picture > your device image.
  2. Tap Exercise Shortcuts and make your changes:
    Screenshot of the account settings in the Fitbit app with the Exercise Shortcuts button highlighted
    • Tap + Exercise Shortcut to add an exercise.
    • To remove an exercise, swipe left on a shortcut and tap Delete (on Windows 10, tap the trash can icon).
    • To reorder the exercises, tap Edit. Press and hold a shortcut, and drag it up or down to change its position.
  3. Sync your device.
  1. From the fitbit.com dashboard, click the gear icon An icon of a gray gear.
  2. Click your device image.
  3. Click Exercise Shortcuts > Edit and choose an exercise to add to your shortcuts list.
  4. Click Save.
  5. To reorder the exercises in the shortcuts list, click and drag an exercise to change its position.
  6. Sync your device.
  1. On your device, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running and swipe to find an exercise. If GPS is available, an icon appears in the top left as your device tries to connect.
  2. Tap the exercise to choose it.
  3. Tap the play icon Play icon inside a gray circle to start the exercise, or tap the flag icon (Ionic and Versa series only) to set a goal. If you set a goal, tap the play icon in the bottom right to start.
  4. Tap the middle of the screen to scroll through your real-time stats.
  5. To pause or end your workout, tap the pause icon. To resume, tap the play icon Play icon inside a gray circle. Note that if you set an exercise goal, your watch vibrates and flashes when you reach the goal.
  6. To end the workout, tap the flag icon Icon of a checkered flag and confirm.
  7. Review your workout summary, and exit the app.
  8. To see your GPS data, tap the Exercise tile Icon of a stick figure running inside a partially-filled gauge in the Fitbit app.

Note: On Versa 2, you can also ask your voice assistant to start a workout for you. For more information, see How do I use a voice assistant on my Fitbit smartwatch?

  1. On your device, press the button until you see the Exercise screen.
  2. Tap to find an exercise.
  3. Press and hold the button to start the exercise. If GPS is available, an icon appears in the top left corner as your phone tries to connect.
  4. During your workout, tap your tracker to scroll through real-time stats. Your progress toward your maximum heart rate is shown on an indicator next to the number of beats per minute.
  5. To pause your workout, press the button. Then press the button again to resume the exercise.
  6. To end the workout, press and hold the button. A flag icon and congratulatory message appear.
  7. Press the button to see a summary of your results. Press the button again to cycle through your stats.
  8. Review your workout summary, and exit the app.
  9. To see your GPS data, sync your tracker and tap the Exercise tile Icon of a stick figure running inside a partially-filled gauge in the Fitbit app.
  1. On your tracker, open the Exercise app The exercise app icon used on many Fitbit trackers, which looks like a stick figure running and swipe to find an exercise.
  2. Tap the exercise to choose it.
  3. Tap Start or Set Goal. If you set an exercise goal, press the button to go back and tap Start.
  4. Tap the play icon Play icon inside a gray circle to begin. If the exercise uses GPS, you can wait for the signal to connect, or start the exercise and GPS will connect when a signal is available. Note that GPS can take a few minutes to connect.
  5. Tap the middle of the screen to scroll through your real-time stats.
  6. When you're done with your workout or want to pause, press the button. If you set a goal, your tracker vibrates and flashes when you reach the goal.
  7. To end the workout, press the button again and tap Finish. Swipe up to see your workout summary. Tap the check mark to close the summary screen.
  8. To see your GPS data, sync your tracker and tap the Exercise tile Icon of a stick figure running inside a partially-filled gauge in the Fitbit app.
  1. On your tracker, open the Exercise app The exercise app icon used on many Fitbit trackers, which looks like a stick figure running and swipe to find an exercise.
  2. Tap the exercise to choose it. If GPS is available, an icon appears at the top as your device tries to connect.
  3. Tap the play icon A play icon consisting of a white triangle outlined in gray to start, or swipe up to set an exercise goal. If you set a goal, press the button or buttons to go back and tap the play icon A play icon consisting of a white triangle outlined in gray.
  4. Tap the middle of the screen to scroll through your real-time stats.
  5. To pause or end your workout, press the button or buttons. To resume, tap the play icon A play icon consisting of a white triangle outlined in gray.
  6. Press the button or buttons again, and tap Finish to end the workout.
  7. Swipe up to see your workout summary.
  8. Press the button or buttons to close the summary screen.
  9. To see your GPS data, sync your tracker and tap the Exercise tile Icon of a stick figure running inside a partially-filled gauge in the Fitbit app.
  1. Open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running and swipe to find an exercise.
  2. Tap the exercise to choose it. If the exercise uses GPS, you can wait for the signal to connect, or start the exercise and GPS will connect when a signal is available. Note that GPS can take a few minutes to connect.
  3. Tap the play icon Orange triangle to begin the exercise, or swipe up to choose an exercise goal or adjust the settings.
  4. Tap the large stat to scroll through your real-time stats. To pause your workout, swipe up and tap the pause icon Pause icon inside an orange circle. Note that if you set an exercise goal, your watch vibrates and flashes when you reach the goal.
  5. When you're done with your workout, swipe up and tap the end icon Flag icon inside an orange circle > End. Your workout summary appears.
  6. Tap Done to close the summary screen.

Note: You can also ask your voice assistant to start a workout for you. For more information, see How do I use a voice assistant on my Fitbit smartwatch?

You might unintentionally press the button on your watch when you bend your wrist. This may happen during activities such as a workout that require you to move your wrist a lot. Try wearing your watch higher on your wrist to avoid hitting the button. For tips on how to wear your watch, see How do I wear my Fitbit device?

Tap the screen to check different stats during your workout, including calories burned, time elapsed, and your heart rate and heart-rate zone.

On-device screenshot of a workout where the current heart rate is 162 bpm, the gauge around the heart icon is a little over three-quarters full, and the text reads, "peak"

On Ionic, Sense, and Versa series, you can also customize the stats shown on the screen:

  1. On your watch, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running.
  2. Swipe through the list of exercises to find the one you want to customize.
  3. To customize the stats:
    • Ionic, Versa, Versa Lite Edition, and Versa 2—Tap the gear icon in the top left Icon of a gear > Customize Stats. Make your choices for the top, middle, and bottom stats.
    • Sense and Versa 3—Swipe up to see the exercise settings. In the Show stats section, tap Top, Middle, or Bottom to choose the stats you want to see.
  4. Return to the exercise screen:
    • Ionic, Versa, Versa Lite Edition, and Versa 2—Press the back button to return to the exercise screen.
    • Sense and Versa 3—Swipe down until until you reach the exercise screen with the play icon Orange triangle.
  5. Tap the play icon to start the workout.

Capture GPS data, including a workout intensity map that shows your pace, distance, and heart-rate zones, with built-in GPS or connected GPS, depending on your device. Only activities where you cover physical distance outdoors, like a run, walk, hike, or bike ride, offer GPS tracking.

Screenshot of a GPS-tracked run in the Fitbit app

For more information, see How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

Receive time or distance-based updates on your Fitbit device during a workout.

  1. In the Fitbit app, tap the Today tab Fitbit logo in black, which looks like 13 circles in the shape of a diamond, where the circles are larger from left to right > your profile picture > your device image.
  2. Tap Exercise Shortcuts.
  3. Tap Run.
  4. Tap Show Laps, and choose your settings.
  5. Sync your device.
  1. On your watch, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > swipe to choose an exercise.
  2. Tap the gear icon Icon of a gear in the top left.
  3. Find Show Laps, and change the setting to Automatically.
  4. Find Automatic Lap Settings, and choose the cue type and frequency.
  5. Press the back button to return to the exercise screen.
  6. Tap the play icon to start the workout.
  1. On your watch, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > swipe to choose an exercise.
  2. Swipe up to open the exercise settings.
  3. In the Laps section, tap Auto count, and choose the cue type and frequency. Tap the screen to confirm your choice.
  4. Swipe down to return to the exercise screen, then tap the play icon to start the workout.

For certain Fitbit devices, if you stop moving during a run—such as at a traffic light—exercise tracking pauses automatically while you’re still (known as auto-pause). Your device vibrates to indicate that activity tracking is paused.

Resume your run, and your device vibrates again when exercise tracking restarts. If your device doesn’t detect activity for 10 consecutive minutes, a message appears on your screen asking if you want to end the exercise.

Note that Ionic and Versa series devices also pause a bike ride automatically.

To turn auto-pause on or off:

  1. On your tracker, open the Exercise app The exercise app icon used on many Fitbit trackers, which looks like a stick figure running > Run.
  2. Swipe down to find Auto-Pause, and tap to change the setting.
  1. On your device, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > Run.
  2. Tap the gear icon Icon of a gear in the top left.
  3. Find Auto-Pause, and tap to change the setting.
  4. Press the back button to return to the exercise screen.
  5. Tap the play icon to start the workout.
  1. On your device, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > Run.
  2. Swipe up to open the exercise settings.
  3. In the Auto-pause section, tap the switch Icon of a toggle switch with the toggle in the far-right position to turn on the setting.
  4. Swipe down to return to the exercise screen, then tap the play icon Orange triangle to start the workout.

Turn on the always-on screen option to prevent the screen from turning off during a workout. Note that this feature decreases your device’s battery life.

  1. On your device, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > swipe to choose an exercise.
  2. Tap the gear icon Icon of a gear in the top left.
  3. Find Always-on Screen, and tap to change the setting.
  4. Press the back button to return to the exercise screen.
  5. Tap the play icon to start the workout.
  1. On your device, open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running > swipe to choose an exercise.
  2. Swipe up to open the exercise settings.
  3. In the Always-on display section, tap the switch Icon of a toggle switch with the toggle in the far-right position to turn on the setting.
  4. Swipe down to return to the exercise screen, then tap the play icon Orange triangle to start the workout.

On Fitbit Ionic, and Fitbit Versa series*, during a workout you can control music playing on your phone or in an app on your watch. On Fitbit Blaze, you can control music playing on your phone.

  1. Start a workout on Blaze.
  2. Press and hold the top button to see the track playing on your phone and to open the music controls. For more information, see How do I control music with my Fitbit device?
  1. Start playing music either on your phone or on your device. If you play music stored on your device, press the back button to return to the clock screen.
  2. Open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running and start a workout.
  3. Swipe down from the top of your screen. After your notifications appear, swipe down again to open the control center. Tap the Music icon Icon of a purple music note to open the music controls. For more information, see How do I control music with my Fitbit device?
  1. Start music playing in an app or on your phone.
  2. Open the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running and start a workout. To control music playing while you exercise, double-press the button. Your shortcuts appear.
  3. Tap the music controls icon Icon of a purple music note. For more information, seeHow do I control music with my Fitbit device?
  4. To return to your workout, press the button.

*Note that you can't store music on Versa Lite Edition.

Depending on your device, automatically track swims to capture pool lengths, duration, distance, and pace, or use the Exercise app Icon used for the Exercise app on many Fitbit smartwatches, which looks like an orange stick figure running to see real-time duration and other stats.

For more information, see How do I track my swims with my Fitbit device?

Connect another app, such as Strava or Runkeeper, with your Fitbit account to track your workouts in 1 place. For more information, see How do I connect my Fitbit account with another app?