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Does a Treadmill Count for Pokémon GO? Unlocking Fitness and Fun

Yes and no. Whether a treadmill counts for Pokémon GO depends on several factors, including the use of Adventure Sync, how you hold your phone, your speed, and whether the game is actively open. Using a treadmill can contribute to hatching eggs and completing challenges, but it requires understanding the game’s mechanics and some strategic approaches.

Treadmills, Adventure Sync, and Pokémon GO: A Deep Dive

Pokémon GO leverages your phone’s sensors and GPS to track movement and translate it into in-game distance. The magic behind making a treadmill work with Pokémon GO lies primarily in understanding Adventure Sync.

Understanding Adventure Sync

Adventure Sync is an optional feature that allows the game to track your steps and distance even when the app is closed. This is crucial for treadmill users. If Adventure Sync is enabled, your phone uses its accelerometer to count steps. These steps are then synced with Google Fit (Android) or Apple Health (iOS) and eventually translate into distance within Pokémon GO.

The Open-App Treadmill Paradox

If you play Pokémon GO with the app actively open while on a treadmill, the results are often disappointing. The game relies heavily on GPS data, and the relatively static location of a treadmill workout often confuses the system. The game might sporadically register movement, but it’s generally unreliable.

Leveraging Adventure Sync on a Treadmill

Here’s how to effectively use a treadmill to gain distance in Pokémon GO using Adventure Sync:

Enable Adventure Sync: Ensure Adventure Sync is enabled in the Pokémon GO settings.
Phone Placement: How you carry your phone makes a huge difference. Holding onto the treadmill handles often nullifies step counting because your arm isn’t swinging naturally. To counter this, try:
- Wearing an arm band.
- Placing the phone in a pocket (be mindful of it slipping out).
- Using a running belt.
Natural Movement: Focus on a natural arm swing while walking or running. This helps the accelerometer in your phone accurately track your steps.
Close the App: Ensure the Pokémon GO app is closed (not just minimized) while you’re on the treadmill. This forces the game to rely on Adventure Sync.
Sync and Check: After your workout, open Pokémon GO to allow Adventure Sync to sync your steps and distance. The game may take a few minutes to register the distance.

Speed Considerations

Pokémon GO has speed limits. If you move too quickly, the game won’t register the distance. The game generally counts distance up to about 10.5 kilometers per hour (6.5 miles per hour). If you exceed this speed, especially when the app is open, the game may display a speed-lock warning and stop tracking distance.

Tricks and Alternatives

If you’re not getting the results you want with the above method, you can find alternative ways to accumulate in-game distance.

Shaking/Swinging Your Phone: Some players have reported success with shaking or swinging their phones at a consistent pace. However, be cautious, as excessive shaking can damage your phone.
Roomba Method: Strategically placing your phone on a Roomba can simulate movement and trick the game into registering distance, although this is not a guaranteed method.
Location Spoofing: Use of third party location spoofing apps is strictly against the ToS and can result in a ban from the game.

FAQs: Treadmills and Pokémon GO

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using a treadmill to play Pokémon GO:

Will Pokémon GO track distance if I hold onto the treadmill? No. Holding onto the treadmill prevents your arm from swinging naturally, which is essential for accurate step counting.
Does walking slowly on a treadmill help hatch eggs? Yes, but only if Adventure Sync is enabled and your phone is tracking your steps. Slow walking is less likely to trigger the speed lock.
What happens if I run too fast on the treadmill for Pokémon GO? If you exceed approximately 10.5 kilometers per hour (6.5 miles per hour), Pokémon GO may stop tracking your distance due to its speed limits.
Does Pokémon GO count steps without Wi-Fi? Yes, Adventure Sync counts steps without a data connection. The distance syncs when you open the game with an internet connection.
How accurate is Adventure Sync on a treadmill? Accuracy can vary depending on the phone, its sensors, and how consistently you move.
Why isn’t Adventure Sync tracking my progress? Ensure Adventure Sync is enabled in the game settings and that Pokémon GO has permission to access your location and physical activity data in your phone’s settings.
Can I use DeFit to simulate walking on a treadmill? DeFit is a third-party app that simulates steps. Using such apps could be risky and may lead to a ban.
Does walking around my house count for Pokémon GO? Yes, Adventure Sync tracks steps even when walking around the house, contributing to egg hatching and challenge progress.
How many miles is 10,000 steps in Pokémon GO? 10,000 steps is roughly equivalent to 4-5 miles.
Is using a treadmill the same as walking outdoors for Pokémon GO? For Pokémon GO, the game primarily tracks distance. However, in real life, walking outdoors may burn more calories due to varied terrain.
What speed does Pokémon GO count as walking? Pokémon GO generally counts speeds up to 10.5 kilometers per hour (6.5 miles per hour) as walking.
Why is my egg distance not registering in Pokémon GO? Ensure Adventure Sync is active, and Pokémon GO has the necessary permissions. Also, verify that you’re not exceeding the speed limit.
Can I get banned for spoofing my location to play Pokémon GO on a treadmill? Yes, location spoofing is a violation of Pokémon GO’s terms of service and can result in a ban.
Do incense work on treadmills?

Incense requires you to physically move from one geographic location to another in order to draw Pokemon. It does not work on treadmills.

What if I have problems with DeFit not working? Reboot your device and reinstall. Verify the game can access your location and physical activity data in your phone’s settings.

Conclusion: Combining Fitness and Gaming

While directly playing Pokémon GO on a treadmill may not yield the best results, leveraging Adventure Sync can be a smart way to combine fitness with gaming. Remember to focus on natural movement, phone placement, and staying within the game’s speed limits to maximize your gains. Happy hatching!

Interested in learning more about the intersection of games, learning, and society? Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Does treadmill count for Pokemon Go?