Fitbit, Jawbone or something else???
rides4sanity
Posts: 1,269 Member
I've been reluctant to add yet one more source of data. Curiosity and perhaps incentive to move more have me shopping around.
What are your thought?
What are your thought?
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Replies
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I use my phone, Galaxy S4, largely as I started it running. I look at it now and again but it doesn't really tell me anything I didn't know already.
On days I'm in wall to wall meetings I don't walk much, at weekends I walk more. Given that I plan in my running and riding it's not driving any different behaviours around moving more.
The days I do a decent length run keep my average high though.
What I would observe is the false positives. I had about 80 minutes on my Brompton this morning and it's recorded that as 5000 steps.
all that said, I have thought about a Garmin Vivosmart, partly for my partners benefit. I'm not sure it'll do much for me, but she might see some benefit.0 -
I also use a garmin edge 510 and absolutely love it. Tied to my duotrap speed/cad, stages power meter and chest strap, it does everything I want for biking. I'd like to play with some of the other fitness trackers just out of curiosity but I'm not allowed to have any wireless or Bluetooth devices in the building where I work so can't justify it.0
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I was given a Forerunner as a present. I wear it everyday & like the fact that it tracks all my steps. Besides the data, I also like that it provides actual pace so that I can make sure that I am not slacking towards the end of a run.0
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I've been using Endomondo/Strava to track my rides and I've been pretty happy with that. As long as I'm not using the phone's screen the battery lasts me plenty. I mostly ride marked routes, but if I'm venturing off on something new I'll actually print a cue sheet and wrap it around my bars for reference.
Lately I've added a FitBit Flex and I can't say that I've been disappointed. It's pretty innocuous, but I do feel compelled to try to hit those step goals I've set for myself. It also has a silent alarm that I kinda like as well. Both this and Endomondo are linked to MFP so I really haven't had to put much thought into using either.0 -
Fitbit...are pedometers and help zero with biking. Get either Garmin or Polar multisportswatches with HRM to measure your activity.0
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Like other has posted, they are pretty useless for cycling (and in my opinion, everything else also). Get a Garmin if you want GPS and data for analysis. For ultimate setup, a power meter also. I went with my phone, HTC One M7, IpBike, and Golden Cheetahs, which has most of functionality of a Garmin & connect. Unfortunately my phone started acting up so I bought a Sony Xperia Active ($100) which does not care that I sweat like a .... and can take a beating (it flew off going 25+mph and only got two dents on each of the left corner, no cracks in the glass; bad epoxy on the mounting adapter by yours truely). I also use OSM and download the tiles with home WiFi, so no data useage. Battery was at ~80% after 2 1/2+ hours ride, continuously recording and dispay. I suspect with a SIM, battery drain will be more (2 more months until contact expires). Incidentally the app can also be used to track running/walking (phone size is perfect). The virtual power is pretty good for calories count and with some indoor trainers; and good enough until prices drop for power meters (crossing fingers that Watteam is not a vaporware).0
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I have both types. My bikes are decked out with power meters, speed/cadence sensors, and I wear a HR strap, all tied to a Garmin Edge 510. For running, I use a Garmin footpod, HR strap, and at the moment the Wahoo Fitness app on my phone. I also wear at Garmin Vivofit 24/7 (at least until Amazon gets around to shipping my new Garmin Fenix 3).
For me, these devices serve different purposes. The bike data is the bike data, and it's purpose is to motivate me, help me train, and help me track changes in fitness on the bike. The run data is just kind of incidental for me, since I only run consistently when I'm traveling for work. The Vivofit encourages me to get up from my desk during the day and move around.0 -
I'm kind of in the Nunkster camp. Garmin + spd/cadence + HRM + Power meter for cycling but I think you already use one on the bike?
For running I just changed over from a Garmin Forerunner to a Polar M400 which I really like. The M400 can also do daily activity monitoring but the software is not quite there yet so I'm still using my Vivofit.
I will say the Vivofit has been very consistent and I love not having to charge the thing all the time. Had it 10 months wearing it 24/7 and original battery still going strong. This was a major reason why I chose the Vivofit over the Fitbit or Jawbone etc. Also it can sub in for runs and such when you wear an HRM.0 -
I will say the Vivofit has been very consistent and I love not having to charge the thing all the time. Had it 10 months wearing it 24/7 and original battery still going strong. This was a major reason why I chose the Vivofit over the Fitbit or Jawbone etc. Also it can sub in for runs and such when you wear an HRM.
This sums up my decision to go with a Vivofit as well. I had a fitbit flex for awhile and I kept forgetting to charge it. I'd realize I'd been wearing the thing for 2 or 3 days with it dead. I've had my Vivofit a bit over a year and never had to mess with it. I'm trading up to the Fenix 3 for running and activity tracking though. At least I will if Amazon ever ships it.
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I've never used any of these fitness devices before but I saw the FlyFit yesterday and I would definitely use it. http://www.myflyfit.com/0
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I was considering an upgrade from the Garmin Vivofit to a Vivosmart (which somewhat supports cycling activities with speed and heart rate) when I learned of the new Garmin Vivoactive. The Vivoactive is a bit more money (at about $250) but it addresses walking, running, swimming, cycling, and golf activities. I've already confirmed the Vivoactive will pair with my Scosche Rythym+ HRM and my Ant+ speed and cadence sensors on my bikes. My Vivoactive just shipped yesterday so I expect I'll receive it by next week some time. I will then transition from my 1st generation Garmin Vivofit (which also pairs with my Scosche Rythym+ HRM) over to my new Garmin Vivoactive. A first look review of the Garmin Vivoactive can be read here: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/01/vivoactive-smartwatch-vivofit2.html
By request, I have already committed to posting my impressions of the Garmin Vivoactive and the Scosche Rythym+ after I gain a bit of experience using it while walking, swimming, and cycling. I'll be happy to forward my impressions to you regarding "daily life with Vivoactive" if that helps.0 -
As far an activity tracker pick one you like, but on a bike to get better on a bike the only thing you can do is ride more and if you are a seasoned cyclist and want more, then a power meter is it. HR can be manipulated (caffeine, sleep, etc) but a watt is a watt.
Couldn't agree more.
I upgraded from a first-gen Garmin Vivofit to a Garmin Fenix 3 this week. I've been wearing the Fenix for since Tuesday and I love it so far.
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Hmm -- I really can't afford a power meter still. The Google Store has an App called Cycle Power Meter for $7.99. The reviews are pretty positive that it works as good as any of the very expensive attach-to-your-bike kinds. I'm going to use it this summer and see how it goes. I do currently have a Jawbone UP24 but I'm not crazy about it. I've been on the fence about using a Polar or some other heart rate monitor. FitBit has come out with a version that now monitors your Heart Rate. And they just introduced a next version up that will also count cycling activity. That's a first for any of these type of activity monitors. Since I use Strava so much I'm leaning to just getting the Charge. My girls each have a Fitbit version so we could have some friendly family competition if I move to Fitbit. As you can see, I haven't quite talked myself into it just yet.0
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If you are already utilizing strava and have a source of at least rpm/cadence and speed for your bike, strava should already give you a virtual power output. no need for another app just for that unless you just want to. That's all I used until I purchased a Stages Crank for my road bike.0
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verdemujer wrote: »Hmm -- I really can't afford a power meter still. The Google Store has an App called Cycle Power Meter for $7.99. The reviews are pretty positive that it works as good as any of the very expensive attach-to-your-bike kinds. I'm going to use it this summer and see how it goes. I do currently have a Jawbone UP24 but I'm not crazy about it. I've been on the fence about using a Polar or some other heart rate monitor. FitBit has come out with a version that now monitors your Heart Rate. And they just introduced a next version up that will also count cycling activity. That's a first for any of these type of activity monitors. Since I use Strava so much I'm leaning to just getting the Charge. My girls each have a Fitbit version so we could have some friendly family competition if I move to Fitbit. As you can see, I haven't quite talked myself into it just yet.
Try StravaPlus, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/stravaplus/dhiaggccakkgdfcadnklkbljcgicpckn?hl=en, but it's for after ride analysis. Haven't use it since I ride with IpBike which has VP but it's not the same as a real PM; good on a trainer.
Waiting on Watteam and hope it comes true. Targeting xmas for real PM as a reward once I hit my weight loss target.0 -
I personally prefer Ride with GPS over Strava because I use my bike for commuting and touring rather than sport, where navigational directions are really important and power output, heart rate, and what not are less important.
The ease of planning routes online and getting directions from your phone are really easy with RwGPS and they have recently partnered up with Wahoo Fitness to create the RFLKT computer that can sync with numerous Bluetooth devices and syncs with your phone as well. If you have an Apple phone, the RFLKT+ syncs with ANT+ and works with your phone as well.
Here's the kicker: It's $130 for the RFLKT+ and it can give you turn-by-turn directinos from Ride with GPS on your phone.
I'd love to see another GPS cycle computer* beat that price.
*I believe that the Wahoo doesn't actually have GPS or anything else built in. That's why it's so cheap. However, by syncing with your phone, it gets all the information it needs to give you useful, accurate data. You can also buy speed and cadence sensors, HRM, and any ANT+ device separately.0 -
There have been a lot of various products that try to emulate a direct-force power meter but all of them that I've seen have been lacking. Some of them work well in certain circumstances but the single biggest benefit of a power meter is accurate, repeatable, and consistent recording of power output on the bike. It's hard to see how anything that *isn't* a direct-force meter can accurately replicate that. It seems to me you could actually find yourself worse off using a pseudo-power meter and basing your training on something that was giving you bad data without you knowing it. All that being the case, if it were me I'd just stick with heart rate, speed, and cadence until you can afford a true power meter. Make no mistake: training with HR is effective. Pro cyclists did it for many years and some of them still do. Read about it, figure out which zone breakdown you want to use, buy, find, or build a training plan, and, above all, be disciplined about following it. You *will* see results.verdemujer wrote: »Hmm -- I really can't afford a power meter still. The Google Store has an App called Cycle Power Meter for $7.99. The reviews are pretty positive that it works as good as any of the very expensive attach-to-your-bike kinds.
This is correct. The RFLKT is essentially just a remote display for your phone. The phone is what does all the heavy lifting. That can work, but speaking personally, I've had very mixed results with using phones as cycling computers. Between battery life problems, issues with the app dying, etc. I've given up on it. Using a dedicated cycling computer has been a much, much more reliable option for me.chivalryder wrote: »*I believe that the Wahoo doesn't actually have GPS or anything else built in. That's why it's so cheap. However, by syncing with your phone, it gets all the information it needs to give you useful, accurate data. You can also buy speed and cadence sensors, HRM, and any ANT+ device separately.
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I use a Microsoft Band. It has really good bike support. Does a good job of estimating calorie burn. Also tracks pulse high, low and average during the ride. It also integrates with Strava and MFP. It tracks steps as well as calories burned throughout the day. The band also tracks sleep better than the Up. It also has smart watch features like notifications and message display on the Bands screen. You can check your calendar while your away from your phone. It can measure UV levels, which is important where I live. It also supports several different exercises including running and weights. The phone app is available for Android, IOS and Windows phone. I was shocked at how good this band is especially since it comes from Microsoft.
I've tried the Vivosmart and it lasted 5 days before it died.
Here's what a ride report looks like.
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