This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Why doesn't my Garmin count steps while cutting grass?

Former Member over 5 years ago

I understand that my arms aren't moving but wouldn't it count the steps by the distance I'm walking? Or do I need to use the walk activity for that to count?

Top Replies

mjcutri over 5 years ago +2

I used to have the same problem, but I started putting my vivoactive 3 in my pocket when I cut the grass and it counts my steps now
mtsarpilot over 5 years ago +1

I don't think it is the swinging of the arm that triggers step counting, it is the small up/down motion detected by the accelerometer. Putting your hand in your pocket will still count steps even though…

All Replies

0 HUMODDA over 5 years ago

This really depends on your device. E.g. my vivosport is much less sensitive than my Forerunner 935, which seems to have a very sophisticated steps counting algorithm in combination with high quality accelerometers. So if your Garmin is from the lower price range, maybe it could not detect your steps properly.

Another explanation could be if you use a gas lawn mower, which might produce too many vibrations for the algorithm to work properly

0 lindajm22 over 5 years ago

I don't cut the grass at my house, but it's the same if I am holding onto the grocery cart. Steps are not counted if you are holding onto something that does not trigger a step. It doesn't just know that you are moving. I just bought the 945 and my previous Garmin is the 935 so it's not about having a lower end Garmin. It only knows you are moving if you are either moving your arm that has the watch, or if you have an activity going with GPS. But even with GPS I don't think it would count your steps if it didn't feel the steps.

0 mjcutri over 5 years ago

I used to have the same problem, but I started putting my vivoactive 3 in my pocket when I cut the grass and it counts my steps now

0 mtsarpilot over 5 years ago

I don't think it is the swinging of the arm that triggers step counting, it is the small up/down motion detected by the accelerometer. Putting your hand in your pocket will still count steps even though there is no arm motion because it detects every impact of the feet to the ground. Just as with lawn mowing, it did not detect any steps when I pushed a wheelchair for > 4 miles the other day. The watch is stable and not detecting any up/down impacts.