Will Pokemon Go Work On A Treadmill

If you’re trying to combine your cardio with catching creatures, you might be wondering: will Pokemon Go work on a treadmill? The good news is, yes, it absolutely can. With a bit of setup and the right approach, you can turn your indoor run into a productive gaming session. This guide will show you how to make it work effectively, so you can hatch eggs, earn candy, and stay fit without leaving your home gym.

This is the core question for fitness-minded trainers. The game uses GPS and movement data to track distance. A treadmill doesn’t change your physical location, but it does create movement. The trick is helping the game recognize that movement as valid distance for your Buddy Pokemon and eggs. It’s not always perfect, but many players see consistent results by following a few key strategies.

How Pokemon Go Tracks Your Distance

To make the treadmill work, you need to understand the game’s mechanics. Pokemon Go doesn’t use a pedometer. Instead, it checks your GPS location at set intervals and calculates the distance you’ve traveled between those points.

GPS Pings: The game pings your location about every 4 minutes (or 250 meters). It draws a straight line between these points.
Speed Cap: There is a maximum speed (believed to be around 10.5 km/h or 6.5 mph) for earning distance. Go faster, and it won’t count.
Adventure Sync: This is the most important feature for treadmill players. It allows the game to read step data from your phone’s health app (Google Fit or Apple Health) even when the app is closed.

Essential Setup Before You Start Running

Proper setup is 90% of the battle. Get this right, and you’ll see much better results.

Enable Adventure Sync: Open Pokemon Go, go to Settings, and toggle on Adventure Sync. Grant all necessary permissions.
Connect Your Health App: Ensure your phone’s built-in health app is installed, updated, and has permission to track steps and distance.
Calibrate Your Motion Data: On Android, use Google Fit to track a “Walking” or “Running” workout. On iPhone, the Health app automatically pulls data from your device.
Close The Game: For Adventure Sync to work best, fully close the Pokemon Go app during your workout. Running it in the background can sometimes interfere.

Choosing the Right Treadmill Speed

Speed matters alot. If you run too fast, you’ll exceed the game’s speed cap and get no distance. A brisk walk or light jog is often most effective.

Ideal Speed Range: Aim for a pace between 3.5 mph (5.6 km/h) and 6.5 mph (10.5 km/h).
Walking Pace: 3.5-4.5 mph is extremely reliable for hatching eggs.
Jogging Pace: You can go up to 6.5 mph, but be prepared for some distance to potentially not sync perfectly.
Avoid Incline-Only Tracking: A steep incline at a very slow walk may not generate enough consistent movement for your health app to record accurately.

Step-by-Step Treadmill Workout Routine

Here’s a simple 30-minute workout plan designed to maximize your Pokemon Go rewards.

Warm-up Walk (5 mins): Start at 3.0 mph. Open Pokemon Go to ensure your game is synced, then close it completely.
Brisk Walking Interval (10 mins): Increase to 4.0 mph. This is your prime egg-hatching speed. Focus on your form and let your phone track your steps in your pocket or armband.
Jogging Interval (10 mins): Increase to 5.5 mph. This can help earn Buddy Candy for Pokemon that require shorter distances. Keep your phone secure.
Cool-down Walk (5 mins): Return to 3.0 mph. After stopping, wait a minute, then open Pokemon Go to let Adventure Sync update your distance.

Maximizing Your Rewards

It’s not just about distance. Use your treadmill time to achieve specific goals.

Hatch Multiple Eggs: Use Super Incubators to reduce the required distance by one-third.
Earn Buddy Candy: Set a Buddy Pokemon that needs 1km, 3km, or 5km per candy. You’ll earn candy steadily during your workout.
Complete Walking Tasks: Check your Field Research and Special Research for tasks like “Walk 2km” and time your workouts to finish them.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Sometimes things don’t sync right. Don’t get frustrated; try these fixes.

No Distance Logged: Ensure Adventure Sync is on. Check that your health app recorded a workout. Sometimes restarting both the health app and Pokemon Go helps.
Inaccurate Distance: The game often credits distance in chunks, not continuously. Be patient after opening the app. It may take a few minutes to update.
Phone Placement: Your phone needs to move in a way that simulates walking. A stationary phone on the treadmill console may not work. Keep it in your pocket or on an armband.
Battery Saver Modes: These can sometimes disable motion sensors. Turn off battery saver during your workout for best results.

Safety Tips for Gaming on a Treadmill

Safety always comes first. A distracted runner is an accident waiting to happen.

Do NOT Play With App Open: Staring at the screen while running is dangerous. Use Adventure Sync with the app closed.
Secure Your Phone: Use an armband or a secure treadmill phone holder. Never hold it in your hand.
Use Audio Cues: If you want notifications, use Bluetooth headphones to hear when an egg hatches, rather than looking down.
Stay Aware: Pay attention to your body and the treadmill. Keep a hand on the rail if you need to adjust your balance.

Making It Fun and Sustainable

The goal is to enjoy both your workout and the game. Here’s how to keep it engaging.

Set Game Goals: “Today I will earn 3 candies with my Buddy.” This gives your run a clear purpose.
Create Playlists: Sync your egg hatches with your music. Start a new egg at the start of a playlist and aim to hatch it by the end.
Join a Virtual Group: Coordinate with friends to do treadmill workouts at the same time and share your results afterwards.
Track Fitness Progress: Notice how your ability to maintain the ideal “hatching speed” improves over weeks as your fitness increases.

FAQ: Your Treadmill Questions Answered

Does walking on a treadmill count for Pokemon Go?

Yes, especially with Adventure Sync enabled. The game uses step data from your phone’s health app when the game is closed, so treadmill walking can count effectively.

Why is my treadmill distance not counting in Pokemon Go?

Common reasons include: Adventure Sync being off, the game still running in the background, your speed being to high, or your phone’s health app not having the correct permissions. Check your setup steps.

What is the best speed on a treadmill for Pokemon Go?

A speed between 4.0 mph and 5.5 mph (6.4 to 8.9 km/h) is generally considered the sweet spot for reliably tracking distance without hitting the speed cap.

Can I hatch eggs on a treadmill?

Absolutely. Hatching eggs on a treadmill is one of the most reliable ways to do it, as you can maintain a steady, perfect pace for the entire distance needed.

Should I have Pokemon Go open on the treadmill?

No, it’s not recommended for safety and effectiveness. Close the app and let Adventure Sync work. It’s safer and often more accurate for distance tracking indoors.

Combining Pokemon Go with your treadmill routine is a fantastic way to stay motivated. By setting up Adventure Sync, managing your speed, and prioritizing safety, you can make significant progress in the game while hitting your fitness goals. Remember, consistency is key—both for hatching rare Pokemon and for building a healthier you. Give these strategies a try on your next indoor run.