Activity Trackers A Gimmick?

StrayAlien

I really think that activity trackers like the FitBit are a gimmick. I done research on these devices and they are extremely inaccurate in calories burned/steps taken/heart rate monitoring while doing activities.

Christine_72

I bloody hope not!! I've had a fitbit for nearly a month and thus far I'm believing calories burned.
My weigh in day is this Friday, we shall see just how accurate it is then....

Christine_72

Also, I've got the zip, I wouldn't bother with the HR monitor devices

Hornsby

Can you show us some of your research on them? I'm indifferent to activity trackers but would love to read some research.

3dogsrunning

They aren't really meant to be exact but they are very good at giving an overall picture of activity levels. Many people have the habit of doing a big workout, then do nothing for the rest of the day. Some find it motivating to keep active.

I've known a few people who have a had great success with them and the calorie levels. Like anything else, it is an estimate, a starting point. It's up to you to adjust from there.

Necessary, no. Useful, for some.

AllanMisner

StrayAlien wrote: »

I really think that activity trackers like the FitBit are a gimmick. I done research on these devices and they are extremely inaccurate in calories burned/steps taken/heart rate monitoring while doing activities.

The basic point, activity trackers get people moving more. That in and of itself is enough to make it worth the cost.

Adc7225

I can say that my Fitbit keeps me moving and while I do not pay much attention to all the data that it collects and reports I do like to have at least my steps and active minutes tracked.

Some people look to gadgets to be live changing and provide them with out of this world data. I pretty much see them as grown up toys that require a reasonable mind to utilize.

bioklutz

I thought about asking for one for Christmas but they just look like an overpriced pedometer to me...

zdyb23456

I have a Jawbone and I think the steps taken are pretty accurate... I've tested it out by counting out 100 steps, then syncing and it's been pretty accurate. Now, the distance and calories burned I doubt are accurate, but I ignore those numbers. I'm interested in keeping my step count up and it motivates me to keep moving.

franklin505

I have a Fitbit Zip and it has kept me motivate and moving more. I try to make 10,000 steps a day, which I seem to do easily now. I sometimes eat back the exercise calories and sometimes I don't. The Zip is fun and I love it, I am losing weight so who cares about accuracy.

StrayAlien

I think they are good motivation for people but wouldn't use the calories burned data for MFP. If I did I would take at least 30% off the total calories burned for the inaccuracy of these devices. Better to underestimate to avoid disappointment at the scales.

Just keep in mind they are not 100% accurate.

mwyvr

Lab-accurate? No.

Do they need to be? Nope.

My phone is the only activity tracker I own and that little completion circle graph in Google Fit was enough to keep me motivated through a rainy Northwest winter. It did not then and still doesn't track calories burned but I knew that my activity level was way up over prior years while my food consumption had not changed much. Sure enough... my clothes started fitting better, then looser and then I was pulling in my belt one, two, three and then four notches. All without tracking calories in or out... but with Google Fit being a constant reminder.

To be fair I did have Strava going from day one and I'm glad off it because the additional data Strava gave me that Google Fit doesn't, like calorie estimates, which I find slightly high, was useful. What I appreciated most were comparisons that showed improvement. I still like those.

Technology was a factor in some of us getting unfit or fat. I think it's fitting, pardon the pun, that technology is helping some of us get fit again.

Gimmick? No way.

Just_Jon

bioklutz wrote: »

I thought about asking for one for Christmas but they just look like an overpriced pedometer to me...

My feelings exactly. I use a Garmin for running and have tried a few different kinds of pedometers (mount on shoe, belt, and wrist), but none of them were really close to being accurate. If you are always walking with the same gate, they might be good, but your stride length changes with incline and pace.

If the gimmick works for you, then keep at it, but for me it just didn't work.

Justygirl77

StrayAlien wrote: »

I really think that activity trackers like the FitBit are a gimmick. I done research on these devices and they are extremely inaccurate in calories burned/steps taken/heart rate monitoring while doing activities.

I'm experiencing the placebo effect!

Mezzie1024

I have a cheapie pedometer that does what it needs to, and I'm going to purchase a waterproof watch so I can track my swimming improvements. I had a heart rate monitor a while back, but, honestly, how heavy I was breathing was just as accurate a measuring tool.

That's all I need. I'm not saying the other trackers aren't fun, but for my goals, they aren't necessary.

runnerchick69

I'm not sure they need to be spot on. I use a Garmin for running and an older Garmin I have for cycling so I'm not too worried about whether my Zip is dead on. I use it to be sure I'm getting in my steps for the day and I'm burning sufficient calories above what I burn with daily exercise. I do think they can be highly motivating for someone that is just starting too.

mangrothian

I love my charge. No activity tracker (including the manual tracking in mfp), is ever going to be accurate, but if it gives me extra motivation to keep moving around instead of sitting on my squishy behind, then so be it. I also love the step competitions with the people you can have. A little competition always makes me move more

BramageOMG

I walk with a woman who has long strides, like a gorilla. Our walk is around 2 miles and her phone shows 3900 steps and 1.9 miles and mine shows 2.1 miles and 4400 steps... But we both got out and walked. I have been doing 10K step a day for the last year in addition to anything else I do (Gym / Running) so the accuracy is somewhat irrelevant (I don't eat back calories).. down 68 lbs and at maintenance!

alpy50

I am really tempted to get one that also tracks sleep. I find the more data I have, the more motivated I am because the data is personalised and changes depending on what I do or don't do. This week, for instance, I decided to cut out alcohol altogether as it ruins the next two days as well (I am constantly hungry even though earlier in the week I was doing great on less calories).

I don't mind the data not being completely accurate - it's sort of as if you had scales that always said you were 4lbs heavier than you actually are. If you keep using them, you will see results even if they do not reflect your true weight.

Marilyn0924

I have a fitbit flex and recently upgraded to the fitbit charge. I've personailzed my settings with my measured walking stride (I don't run) and TDEE and when used in conjunction with the phone app, it measures distance via gps and my steps fall within my stride parameters. Calorie burn matches within a percentage or 2 in comparison to my Polar HRM. (I double check it occasionally)

Yes, it's a glorfied pedometer, but for me, it's made me more aware of my daily activity and I have adjusted my routines to incorprate more walking into my day.

3dogsrunning

StrayAlien wrote: »

I think they are good motivation for people but wouldn't use the calories burned data for MFP. If I did I would take at least 30% off the total calories burned for the inaccuracy of these devices. Better to underestimate to avoid disappointment at the scales.

Just keep in mind they are not 100% accurate.

Based on what?

Nothing is accurate outside of a lab.

Calorie burned estimates are only on side of the equation. If someone is completely off on their intake, it doesn't really matter. It is all about consistency.
Lots of people do just fine following the calorie suggestions. Others have to adjust.

Christine_72

If nothing else, getting a fitbit has got me moving.
When I first got it I was averaging 2,000ish steps a day. Now I get between 20,000-25,000 steps a day!

melodyis4reals

I have a 15 dollar pedometer and it motivates me

curlywagg

I have just got a MiFit and for me it is a motivation on the days I don't work to keep moving and get the steps in. I have research them and for I found I wanted one that just did steps as I did not need anything else. I know that you can obtain incidental step that have not happen so as @StrayAlien said I will be taking 30% of the total it tells me so not to over log.

Alatariel75

I think they're very useful to get people moving more, my Fitbit certainly has for me. The amount it says I burn a day total seems to accord roughly with the TDEE calculators I have tried online, and when I eat the amount it tells me, i tend to lose the amount it predicts (barring any hormone related or other extraneous issues).

I know for a fact that it is not that great with steps, in the few months I've had it at least 4 times I've hit my 10,000 steps (thus it vibrates) while I was driving, sitting down and putting my shoes on, or pulling up my pants. But I sure as hell move more! I have the HR and the burns it gives me for non-stepping exercise seem reasonable.

Plus, the social part keeps me going when I may just cop out for the day. Never underestimate competition!!

LOVEMYFAMILY_1206

franklin505 wrote: »

I have a Fitbit Zip and it has kept me motivate and moving more. I try to make 10,000 steps a day, which I seem to do easily now. I sometimes eat back the exercise calories and sometimes I don't. The Zip is fun and I love it, I am losing weight so who cares about accuracy.

I totally agree! I bought my fit bit 6 weeks ago and have lost 11 pounds so far. It is very motivating and I am enjoying exercise again.

EvgeniZyntx

StrayAlien wrote: »

I think they are good motivation for people but wouldn't use the calories burned data for MFP. If I did I would take at least 30% off the total calories burned for the inaccuracy of these devices. Better to underestimate to avoid disappointment at the scales.

Just keep in mind they are not 100% accurate.

What do you think is 100% accurate? What does "extremely inaccurate" even mean?

I evaluated mine (Fitbit) for about a month while at maintenance. I found that it was, for me, during maintenance accurate to 5% daily burn versus a)weight change due to eating at estimated TDEE, b) four different HRMs for running, c) reasonably accurate vs HRM when entering cycling on their website.

As has been noted, primary purpose is to get people to move and share fitness. Seems to do the job.
My cost to operate has been about 10 cents a day so far or a tenth of my gym membership.

They've allowed me share activity with my family (various members have them) and friends. I'm going to say it's a useful motivator and not a gimmick.

SezxyStef

StrayAlien wrote: »

I really think that activity trackers like the FitBit are a gimmick. I done research on these devices and they are extremely inaccurate in calories burned/steps taken/heart rate monitoring while doing activities.

do you have one? ever used one? tried it? They aren't just about tracking steps/hr/calories burned they track other things.

Where is the research?

Steps are correct and you can set then to be very accurate by calibrating it after each walk/run.

It's like saying treadmills are gimmicks...they are exceptional inaccurate for burns but....do they not get you moving.

Danyloz

I have had the Polar fitness watch for 2 weeks and I have to say it seems pretty accurate and it is a great motivation.

Glinda1971

I love my flex. It showed me I was moving a lot less than I thought. And it motivates me to hit my 10k steps. So fit me, it also serves as motivation to get me moving more.

melcasa

I have the MIO Fuse. It tracks heart rate, steps, cals burned, distance, etc. I think it is helpful to see how much you have or have not done in a day. It is also a watch so that is helpful and motivates me to wear it daily. I think anything can be a gimmick, it's about what you want out of it.