Fitness Trackers: Which is the best ... ? (And do you have a Basis?)

Quieau

I am looking for an activity tracker type device that will measure MY calories burned (preferably both at rest and during intentional activity/workouts). Thing is, I don't want one that just references a database of averages, like MFP does. I want one that actually measures MY burn based on heart rate, movement tracked, my stats, etc. I asked my doctor for recommendations and he said that the only one that does this is Basis. Is that true? Do you know of any others, and/or do you know if Basis actually is capable of measuring the burn of the person who wears it? Hope the question makes sense. I don't even know if that level of tech exists yet, and I don't want to invest if I'm going to get the same level of analysis that logging exercise on MFP would give me. I am looking for MY burn (again, if the technology exists to do that).

Do you have a Basis? What is your experience with it? They just announced they're coming out with a new model called "Peak" and I've got my finger on the trigger but wanted input from the experts before investing.

(I gave up waiting for my Amiigo! Pfffffft!)

Thanks for your (kind, thoughtful) responses!

Q.

M_from_PA

UP3 comes close to what you're looking for; the technology is changing quickly. It might be worth waiting a bit longer to see what else comes out in the next year or so.

Philp0718

Polar Loop. I've had it for about a week now and LOVE IT!

Its a tracker work on your wrist to count your steps (so far seems pretty accurate), syncs via Bluetooth to an app on your phone, and it comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor for your workouts (also connects via Bluetooth)

http://www.polarloop.com/

SpecialKH

Body Media. They don't advertise like the Fitbits, etc. But I wanted the same thing - what do I burn, not what is the average.

All of the other devices only use accelerometers coupled with complex formulas based on averages.

Body Media is the only one that also measures skin temp/sweat. When you exercise you pump lots more blood through your body therefore the surface heats up and you sweat to regulate the body temp. Body Media is 95% accurate in estimating calories burned and the more you wear it, it 'learns' your body.

Lots of people don't like it because you wear it on your upper arm and it's not as subtle as a wrist band. Other people don't like it because you have to pay for a membership to their activity manager interface ($6.95/month). Personally if I'm willing to pay that for NetFlix I should be willing to invest that in my health. I spend that on one glass of wine out at a restaurant.

I have one with bluetooth that I sync with my iPhone. At first I would sync every couple hours out of curiosity and I'd use up the battery in about 3 days. Now I sync in the morning to see where I ended my previous day and I sync at some point in the evening, usually after working out/before dinner so I can gauge what I have for dinner. Now it lasts 7-8 days. I wear it 24/7 except showers and I have extra elastic armbands so I can wash/air dry them and rotate them.

ETA - Also BodyMedia is the ONLY device that is registered and recognized as a medical device with the FDA - that should tell you something.

Mister_Al

BodyMedia was aquired by Jawbone. The tech has "apparently" been used in the UP3.

Old_Man_McGucket

DCRainmaker has an in depth review of several of the popular ones here...

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/activity-monitors

Azdak

Right now the hot new girl in school is the Basis Peak.

WalkingAlong

Quieau wrote: »

I am looking for an activity tracker type device that will measure MY calories burned (preferably both at rest and during intentional activity/workouts). Thing is, I don't want one that just references a database of averages, like MFP does. I want one that actually measures MY burn based on heart rate, movement tracked, my stats, etc. I asked my doctor for recommendations and he said that the only one that does this is Basis. Is that true?
Q.

They all use database averages, even the Basis. Some use more data points than others. You don't get much more accuracy from adding data points, though.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/activity-monitor-accuracy-fitbit-jawbone_n_5516156.html

The Basis actually fared poorly in that test.

Quieau

Thanks, all! Appreciate your input!

shadow2soul

Basis isn't going to be the only Activity Tracker with a HRM built in for much longer.

Fitbit is coming out with 2 new models. The Charge HR and the Surge.
Microsoft also just released the Microsoft Band which has 24hr HR monitoring.

Than of course there are the Polar Loop and Garmin VivoFit which can both sync with chest strap HRM's.

judy11351

That review WalkingAlong was for the basis band not the basis peak.

Upstate_Dunadan

The Microsoft Band. I just got mine and it monitors your heart rate throughout the day and tracks calories burned, amongst a ton of other things.

Praying

I use the polar ft7

Praying

Praying wrote: »

I use the polar ft7

it will track resting if you leaving the chest monitor on but it is designed for use during excercise.

Upstate_Dunadan

No chest band needed with the Band. I've wanted a fitness tracker for a long time, most notably with HR monitor, but there's no way I'd wear a chest monitor at the gym, or anywere else for that matter.

randomtai

SpecialKH wrote: »

Body Media. They don't advertise like the Fitbits, etc. But I wanted the same thing - what do I burn, not what is the average.

All of the other devices only use accelerometers coupled with complex formulas based on averages.

Body Media is the only one that also measures skin temp/sweat. When you exercise you pump lots more blood through your body therefore the surface heats up and you sweat to regulate the body temp. Body Media is 95% accurate in estimating calories burned and the more you wear it, it 'learns' your body.

Lots of people don't like it because you wear it on your upper arm and it's not as subtle as a wrist band. Other people don't like it because you have to pay for a membership to their activity manager interface ($6.95/month). Personally if I'm willing to pay that for NetFlix I should be willing to invest that in my health. I spend that on one glass of wine out at a restaurant.

I have one with bluetooth that I sync with my iPhone. At first I would sync every couple hours out of curiosity and I'd use up the battery in about 3 days. Now I sync in the morning to see where I ended my previous day and I sync at some point in the evening, usually after working out/before dinner so I can gauge what I have for dinner. Now it lasts 7-8 days. I wear it 24/7 except showers and I have extra elastic armbands so I can wash/air dry them and rotate them.

ETA - Also BodyMedia is the ONLY device that is registered and recognized as a medical device with the FDA - that should tell you something.

All of this for me... I had my BMF for over a year and it has been scary accurate.

auddii

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Quieau wrote: »

I am looking for an activity tracker type device that will measure MY calories burned (preferably both at rest and during intentional activity/workouts). Thing is, I don't want one that just references a database of averages, like MFP does. I want one that actually measures MY burn based on heart rate, movement tracked, my stats, etc. I asked my doctor for recommendations and he said that the only one that does this is Basis. Is that true?
Q.

They all use database averages, even the Basis. Some use more data points than others. You don't get much more accuracy from adding data points, though.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/activity-monitor-accuracy-fitbit-jawbone_n_5516156.html

The Basis actually fared poorly in that test.

So, I read the actual study that article was based on, and i kind of want to see pictures of the participants because it seems like they'd look a little ridiculous covered in all those monitors plus the VOmax mask.

Results were interesting though. I'm curious how all the new monitors that incorporate continuous HR will hold up when compared to the bodymedia.

Sadly, the thing I don't like most about the bodymedia is that it straps to the arm, and my arms are so loose and flabby now that I've lost a lot of fat in them, I think it would look horrible. I'm too vain for my own good...

Hornsby

There is no such device.

spingirl605

Why when I go to the body media website and try to purchase one, I get transferred to the jawbone site and only their products show up??? I understand that they were bought out, but now I'm interested in the body media and I don't know how to buy one??

CarolAmanda

I like my jawbone up24 but plan to upgrade to the fitbit charge or the up3. Any rumors about when the up3 will have continuous heart rate monitoring? what I read said in a future software update.

jerber160

here's a stupid question.. does a fitbit work if you wear it on your ankle?

WalkingAlong

A Fitbit won't estimate calories well on your ankle, but people do sometimes use them that way. I did a test of a One on the torso (where it's supposed to be worn) vs. on an ankle, and the calorie burn was almost 3 times higher on the ankle, because it thinks your torso is generating all that motion its detecting. A wrist-worn model probably would do less over-estimating on the ankle than a torso one, though.

judy11351 wrote: »

That review WalkingAlong was for the basis band not the basis peak.

Does the Peak use a different technology? It looks like it's using the same optical HR monitoring the original Basis uses.

Azdak

WalkingAlong wrote: »

A Fitbit won't estimate calories well on your ankle, but people do sometimes use them that way. I did a test of a One on the torso (where it's supposed to be worn) vs. on an ankle, and the calorie burn was almost 3 times higher on the ankle, because it thinks your torso is generating all that motion its detecting. A wrist-worn model probably would do less over-estimating on the ankle than a torso one, though.

judy11351 wrote: »

That review WalkingAlong was for the basis band not the basis peak.

Does the Peak use a different technology? It looks like it's using the same optical HR monitoring the original Basis uses.

The reviews I have read so far have indicated that, for whatever reason, the Peak is significantly more accurate than the previous Basis devices. This is the review that I read that seemed to give a good explanation: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2843515/basis-peak-review-this-is-the-band-to-buy-if-you-obsess-over-heart-rate-and-sleep-tracking.html

I am not endorsing the Peak, just pointing out, as the other poster, that the review of the older model is not applicable to this one.

WalkingAlong

Thanks. It does sound like they changed it to actual, continuous HR monitoring. I did appreciate that Basis was very upfront about their original not being continuous like a HRM, when it came out.

That band has some nice features. It's much nicer looking than the original Basis and I love that you can put an off-the-rack watchband on it.

I'm usually not a 'visible fitness device' wearer but I've had a Fitbit Charge on the last couple weeks and the call notifications are something I miss when I don't wear it. The Basis and the MS Band will have those.

Quieau

In the reviews I've read (like Cnet) the HR function is crappy/inaccurate in ALL of them. Bummer. I might as well just use the one on here for that level of accuracy.

EMTFreakGirl

I figure they're all about the same so I went with the "fashionable" choice...waiting on my Shine to be delivered!

bio79

I have the basis peak and I love the 24/7 hr monitor and that I can swim with it. It has all the sensors you can imagine and it works great so far.