Not counting steps accurately whilst pushing pram, wheelchair, lawn-mower, shopping trolley or golf cart

[TNJGB]

I and others have previously mentioned that only a very small proportion of steps are counted with the Samsung Watch-3 whilst pushing any form of wheeled machine. Whilst I have the Watch-3 I still wear my old wrist FitBit as it counts steps fairly accurately whilst pushing any of these machines, I have also used a very old FitBit in my pocket for comparison and its step count is within 1% of the wrist FitBit, neither of which have any GPS. I have tried swapping between wrists and this makes no difference.

Why is it FitBit can measure the steps when pushing a machine but the Samsung Watch-3 cannot? It is not a faulty Samsung Watch as the sensors all work on test and it also measures steps when not pushing a machine. I can only assume there is something in the firmware or software than is not interpreting the sensors whilst pushing a machine.

Has anyone found a way around this issue?

[AlexGbr]

In my opinion counting steps is one thing, while you push something or not move is not counting steps, anyway try to reset or to check of updates for it hard to believe but it can happen.

[AndrewL]

@AlexGbr: I think this has something to do with your arm position while pushing the objects, as if they're held out in front of you, as opposed to being by your side, this can affect the accuracy of the step count. Do you find that the count is more accurate when you arms are in their natural position while walking? 

[TNJGB]

The watch will count steps whilst walking with arms swinging. It will not count steps when holding the handle of any object and undercounts steps when your hand is not swinging such as in your pocket. Other brands of wrist step counters do work when pushing objects or when you have your hands in your pockets.

Here is the last weeks step count as measured by Samsung Watch 3 and Fitbit Inspire on the wrists and a Fitbit One in my trouser pockets. Every day I have walked at least 7000m pushing a golf trolley.

	Samsung Watch 3	Fitbit Inspire HR	Fitbit One
Sat	11121	19777	19309
Fri	8418	16568	15936
Thu	9040	17802	18067
Wed	9293	18617	19267
Tue	6636	13571	14183
Mon	5971	10210	10471
Sun	10310	20120	18320

[DianDD]

My old Fitbit used to count properly even when pushing a trolley. The Samsung galaxy watch 4 counts nothing! At my work I push trolley for many many many hours and from 25000-30000 steps I am now at 5000 ridiculous and the only way to get my step count is to let the Samsung health app count on my phone but it drains battery