I want a new fitness tracker, suggestions?

ButterSideDown

Hi everyone,
I currently have a Bodymedia Fit Link armband, but the monthly fee is a pain, and it's not always convenient wearing an armband. I'm considering getting a new fitness tracker, maybe the Fitbit Charge HR? Does anyone have this? What do you think?

Any other suggestions? I do want something with a HRM. Thanks in advance

Sophsmother

ButterSideDown wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I currently have a Bodymedia Fit Link armband, but the monthly fee is a pain, and it's not always convenient wearing an armband. I'm considering getting a new fitness tracker, maybe the Fitbit Charge HR? Does anyone have this? What do you think?

Any other suggestions? I do want something with a HRM. Thanks in advance

I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal talking about how inaccurate the activity trackers are. Anywhere from 10-20 percent inaccurate.

When shopping for one, just keep this quote from WSJ in mind: "Activity trackers are best at detecting brisk walking, jogging or running—activities that produce strong arm movements.

Steps taken around an office or while puttering around a home are difficult to pick up, according to Ray Browning, a professor at Colorado State University who directs the Physical Activity Energetics/Mechanics Laboratory. In addition, trackers mistake some movements for walking, such as waving the arms, while entirely missing physical activities that ideally should be captured.

“Cycling, not great,” Mr. Browning said. “Elliptical training, not great. Yoga, terrible. There are some pretty significant limitations.”"

A quick search online will show you the more popular brands and what features they include. But just know that if dead-on accuracy is your goal, you won't get it.

Thencalisays

I love my fitbit, I just have the zip thought. I think the Charge HR looks awesome! The fact that it is getting your HR really helps more accurately calculate you burn (I would imagine). Yes activity trackers are not an exact science, but they do improve accountability and motivation. I also love that fitbit has challenges for friends. I use that and I have a garmin FR 15 (which I don't recommend, garmin's software is subpar and customer service leaves much to be desired) it is a gps and activity watch and I don't notice a big difference between what it picks up and what my fitbit picks up (clip vs watch).

kimberlydgarcia

I have the Fitbit HR. I really like it. It is obvious that it is not 100% accurate but I like that I can compare my progress with current recordings. I am very happy with my purchase.

mom2ava07

I got the fitbit hr a few days ago, and I really like it

rushfive

Hello,
I am new to the activity tracker, just recently got the Fitbit Charge HR and really liking it so far. As already said, not completely accurate, but that is fine for me. The sleep log is very interesting and informative. I never realized I woke 7 times a night, knew I did at least 3 times.
I have compared the hr with my polar on my treadmill and each time I check they are the same, so that is good. The mileage may be off some but not enough for me to complain.
The website is very good also and is free (they do offer a cost for premium service).

shadow2soul

I don't have the Charge HR, but I do have the Surge. I've had it for about a month so far and as of right now I love it. While 30 days isn't really enough time to judge accuracy, it seems to have been correct so far. Based on my 30 day average burn from the Surge vs my 30 day average intake, I should have lost 4.27lbs. I've lost 4.5. So right now it looks pretty close to being correct and I would suspect that the Charge HR would probably hold the same accuracy since they are supposed to use the same calorie burn formulas with the HR data. I can't guarantee that everyone will experience the same accuracy I'm having so far with it. Even with the older models, the results on accuracy were mixed. Still yet, I find them very motivational and I love the data they provide for me.

I've also had a Garmin VivoFit and while I loved the device, the software was just plain horrible. I had it for 54 days and listed it on ebay the day after my Surge arrived from amazon.

Then prior to the VivoFit, I had a Flex and a Zip (other Fitbit models). With these my average calorie burn was usually underestimated by sometimes around 400 calories. So I was always losing faster than expected, but hey that's not a bad problem to have at this stage. Maintenance would take a little bit of tweaking, but it wasn't something so horrible that I wouldn't have been able to figure out a work around. I had bad luck with the Flex and customer service was great. They sent me a brand new one to replace the defective one I had and didn't even want me to return the defective one to them. The Zip however was great, I bought it first as a trial. I wanted to know if I would like the device and use it. What can I say, I fell in love and when I upgraded to the Flex I gave my Zip to my mom (who also loves it).

wolfordwebsites

I have a fitbit one that you wear on your hip and it works amazingly well for me. I've lost 2 pounds every week for eight weeks.

ButterSideDown

Thanks everyone! Yes I understand the inaccuracies, and I don't use gym equipment or do yoga, so it doesn't bother me if it can't pick those up well. I run outdoors, so just getting a general idea of steps and heart rate is good enough. I'm going to order the Charge HR tonight

Hagoal

I have Garmin vivofit - paid around $100 at target and I love it. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in your tracker. I wanted something that looks like a wrist watch and displays my progress on the screen not just on my phone. Its pretty easy to operate. I am pretty happy with its accuracy. More than anything, it keeps me motivated and that's what I wanted.