Flagstaff Trackers: Altitude Lies About Senior Steps?
By Franklin Everett ShawForget the gym memberships promising you’ll “feel the burn.” Let’s talk about something real: accurately tracking your steps in Flagstaff, Arizona, when you’re a senior. It’s not as simple as slapping on a Fitbit and walking around Buffalo Park. The altitude throws everything off, and generic advice just doesn’t cut it.
The air in Flagstaff is thinner. At nearly 7,000 feet, there’s less oxygen. This means your body works harder for every step, making a walk feel more strenuous than it would at sea level. Your wearable tracker, however, doesn’t know this. It’s just counting steps based on arm movements or stride length, leading to a significant discrepancy between perceived exertion and recorded activity. This can be incredibly frustrating and demotivating, especially when you’re trying to reach specific fitness goals.
So, how do we fix this? We need to calibrate your tracker to Flagstaff’s unique environment. This isn’t about hacking the system; it’s about getting accurate data that reflects your actual effort.
First, let’s address the stride length. Most trackers use an estimated stride length based on your height and gender. This is a good starting point, but it’s rarely accurate, especially at altitude. Here’s a step-by-step guide to calibrating your stride length:
- Find a flat, measured surface. A track at NAU’s Skydome is ideal, but any 50-foot stretch will do.
- Walk the distance at your normal pace, counting your steps. Do this three times.
- Calculate your average stride length. Divide the total distance (150 feet) by the total number of steps you took across all three trials. Then divide that number by three.
- Enter this value into your tracker’s settings. On a Fitbit, you’ll find this under “Personal Info” in your account settings. On an Apple Watch, you’ll need to calibrate it through the Workout app (more on that later).
This adjusted stride length will immediately improve the accuracy of your step count. But it’s not the whole story.
GPS is your friend. Many trackers have built-in GPS or can use your phone’s GPS. Utilize this feature when you’re walking outdoors. GPS tracking doesn’t rely on step counting alone; it measures the actual distance you’ve traveled. This is particularly useful in Flagstaff, where elevation changes are common. A walk uphill will burn more calories than a walk on flat ground, and GPS tracking can help your tracker account for this.
Now, let’s talk about specific devices. Fitbits are popular, but their default settings can be misleading in Flagstaff. Beyond adjusting stride length, pay attention to the “Active Zone Minutes” feature. This metric tracks the time you spend in different heart rate zones. Because of the altitude, you’ll likely reach higher heart rate zones more quickly than you would at sea level. Use this information to adjust your workout intensity accordingly. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially when you’re first starting out.
Apple Watches offer more sophisticated calibration options. The Workout app allows you to calibrate your watch for specific activities, including walking and hiking. To do this, start a workout using the Workout app and walk or hike for at least 20 minutes. The watch will learn your movement patterns and adjust its algorithms accordingly. Repeat this process several times in different locations around Flagstaff to ensure accurate calibration across varying terrain and elevation.
One common pitfall is relying solely on step count as a measure of fitness. In Flagstaff, this is especially problematic. Focus instead on a combination of metrics, including heart rate, active zone minutes, and perceived exertion. Pay attention to how you feel during your workouts. Are you breathing heavily? Are your muscles fatigued? Use this information to guide your training, rather than blindly chasing a specific step count.
Another challenge is consistency. It takes time and effort to calibrate your tracker and adjust your workout routine. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Stick with it, and you’ll eventually find a system that works for you. Consider joining a walking group in Flagstaff. The camaraderie and support can help you stay motivated and on track. The Flagstaff Senior Center often organizes such groups.
Remember, the goal isn’t to achieve some arbitrary number of steps. It’s to improve your health and well-being. By understanding the challenges of tracking activity at high altitude and taking steps to calibrate your tracker, you can get accurate data that reflects your actual effort and helps you achieve your fitness goals. Don’t let the thin air fool you; you’ve got this.