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As a cross-country skiing enthusiast, you might be wondering if there’s any way to track your performance. You’ll be surprised to know that it is entirely possible to track cross-country skiing using a Fitbit.
Can I Use Fitbit for Cross-Country Skiing?
Active users of the device know that Fitbit offers several modes and options, but none of them include a way to track cross-country skiing directly.
Fortunately, this does not mean that you cannot track the sport entirely. A couple of workarounds discussed below will allow you to track the activity with a Fitbit.
How to Use Fitbit for Cross-Country Skiing?
1. Fitbit Charge 3 or Versa 2
Some older Fitbit models, such as the Fitbit Charge 3 or Versa 2, do not have a built-in GPS. This means that your best option is to choose the Workout mode, where you can set up a custom activity on the activity page.
The workout mode will track your activity and later sync it to your smartphone, where you can use the Fitbit app to rename your workout to cross-country skiing. Such models rely on your phone’s GPS to calculate distance and calories.
2. Fitbit Charge 4 or 5
However, exciting new features on the Fitbit Charge 4 and 5 include an extensive list of exercise modes and a built-in GPS. These models come with an Outdoor Workout option, specifically designed for workouts that do not have steps, such as skiing, kayaking, or swimming. With the addition of the in-device GPS, users can efficiently keep track of their distance, calories, and route, all in real-time.
3. Fitbit Ionic or Sense
The Fitbit Ionic and Sense also have a built-in GPS. While Ionic is specifically designed for swimmers, the relatively pricey Fitbit Sense comes with 20 Exercise modes. For cross-country skiing, one would again have to choose the Workout mode and manually rename it afterward.
Other Fitness Trackers for Cross-Country Skiing
There are several other options in the fitness industry that may benefit an unsure buyer. The Garmin Vivoactive 4, which comes with 20 sports profiles, includes cross-country skiing by default. Additionally, the Polar Vantage M2 supports 130 sports. The newer models of the Apple Watch, such as series 5 and 6, support third-party apps like Strava, specifically designed for cross-country skiing.
