Skip to main content

How to Convert Activities to Steps and Distance

Turn time spent biking, swimming, or stretching into step credit—here’s how to use the activity converter in the Stridekick app.

Updated this week

🔁 What is the activity converter?

The activity converter lets you convert time spent doing common non-stepping activities—like yoga, cycling, or swimming—into:

  • 👣 Steps

  • 📏 Distance

  • ⏱️ Active minutes

By default, any activity you convert will output total steps, distance and active minutes. If your device already tracks some of this data, we suggest only adding the data your device doesn't track. Otherwise, you'll double-count data. Converted data is added to your existing totals for the day and scored into your challenge.

⚠️ Heads up: You’ll need to contact Stridekick support or your challenge admin to enable the activity converter in the app. Once activated, you’re good to go!


🧍‍♀️ Who Should Use the Activity Converter

The Activity Converter is designed for participants without a wearable device.

If you track your activity using a smartphone only, you can’t always capture movement from workouts like yoga, strength training, or spin class.

👉 Think of it as your backup tracker when your phone can’t follow you to the mat or the pool.


🚫 Who Should Not Use the Activity Converter

If you wear a Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, or any other connected wearable, you already have the most accurate activity data flowing into Stridekick.

When you also convert and log activities manually, you risk double-counting your effort. Here’s why:

  • Your wearable already tracks your steps, distance, and active minutes.

  • The converter adds new totals on top of that data.

  • Result: inflated stats, inaccurate challenge scores, and frustration for everyone.

💡 In short:

The Activity Converter is a supplement for non-wearable users—not a boost button for wearable users.


📲 How to Use the Activity Converter

  1. Open the Stridekick app

  2. Tap the floating “+” icon or select Add activity

  3. Tap Convert an activity

  4. Choose:

    • The activity you did

    • The duration

    • The date (up to 7 days back)

  5. Tap Calculate

  6. Review the generated totals and uncheck any metrics you’ve already been credited for

  7. Tap Save activity

✅ You’ll see a confirmation message once your activity has been saved.


⚠️ Use the Converter in Good Faith

The converter relies on the honor system.

If it’s reported that a user is abusing the feature (like logging exaggerated totals), their account may be warned or removed per our Community Guidelines.


❓FAQs

Can I use the converter and sync a device?

Yes! Converted data is added on top of your synced device data for the day.
👉 To avoid duplicates, uncheck any metrics your device has already logged.


How far back can I log a converted activity?

You can log converted activities for today + the past 6 days (7 total days).
We recommend logging once a day to keep challenge stats current.


How do I delete a converted activity?

You can delete converted activities from the app just like manual entries.
Learn how to delete a logged activity.


Do I have to connect a device to use the converter?

Nope! You can use the converter without a connected device.
Just dismiss the dashboard message about connecting one.


How do converted activities affect challenge scores?

Your converted data will be scored into any active challenges you're in.
Once a challenge ends, scores are final—edits made after that won’t apply.

Any entries added or removed after your challenge ends will save to your Stridekick account but will not update in your challenge.

Please note that grace period rules always apply.


Why doesn’t the distance match my workout?

The converter doesn’t reflect your actual workout distance.
Instead, it calculates the walking/running equivalent based on:

  • Activity duration and intensity

  • Conversion rate: 2,000 steps = 1 mile (or ~3,219 steps = 1 km)

This creates a fair playing field for everyone in the challenge, regardless of activity type.


Is the activity converter available to everyone?

Yes! As of September 7, 2023, the converter is available to all Stridekick users. You’ll just need to contact Stridekick support or your challenge admin to enable manual activity entry and the activity converter in the app. Once activated, you’re good to go!

Did this answer your question?