Garmin watch doesn't count steps on the treadmill unless I remember to put it in my pocket? Why can't i add steps that it doesn't count?

Garmin watches count steps from movement. Garmin will not use virtual steps from traveled distance like the Fitbit.

How do you get a distance on the treadmill without the steps being counted?

e7andy said:

How do you get a distance on the treadmill without the steps being counted?

I think the implication is that they wear the watch on their wrist and hold the treadmill handrails while they walk (so their watch arm isn't moving). That's why they need to put the watch in their pocket for movement to be detected.

But yeah, it's hard to imagine how they get distance without steps, unless they're looking at the distance on their fitbit and they manually edit the activity distance afterwards. Or unless they use a footpod which Garmin will use for distance (but not steps).

There is an alternative if you want steps to be counted without the watch, but it's not cheap. You can get the HRM-PRO chest strap which counts steps (and other "activity tracker" metrics, like calories and intensity minutes), if you're not wearing your watch. However, this would still require you to take off your watch, so it's not really a better solution than just putting your watch in your pocket. It's really more of a solution for situations where you absolutely can't (or won't) wear a watch but you still want to count steps.

(Ofc it sucks that Garmin will talk to footpods that can measure cadence (steps per minute), but Garmin refuses to count steps using those devices. They want you to buy the HRM-PRO for that.)

That is mostly correct. I walk on the treadmill while working so am not swinging my arms nor holding the rail. I'm actually typing. My daughter gave me the suggestion of putting the watch in my pocket. I also don't like that the garmin watch doesn't calculate miles you have to add that as well. I wish I could have a watch with the features I like from  both watches

The watch will calculate the distance but you need to let the watch count steps.

But it doesn't unless it is in my pocket. Could you tell me where it shows the miles? I only see steps

Nevermind I found it. Thanks,

Angie 

If you log a treadmill run or indoor walk you will see the distance in the activity. You can also see the calculated distance from logged steps in the steps page 

Thanks