Fitness/Activity Trackers?? ⌚️⏳

arl0310

I'm curious about the fitness trackers that work as pedometers, heart rate monitors, sleep monitors, and some even have more ways to track your daily movement and exercise. Some are outrageously priced, such as the garmin vivofit, but I'm wondering if there is a moderately priced one that someone enjoys and it works just as well?
What are your thoughts on activity trackers? Useful or waste of money/time?

kpatricesmith

I recently purchased the very well reviewed Fitbit Charge HR (which cost even more than the Vivofit, I believe) and at first, I was completely in love with my new toy. It was a great motivator that inspired me to log back into MFP after a long haitus, to start taking daily lunch-hour walks to get those step counts up, and to get back into the gym.

But after only a couple of weeks, the shine is starting to wear off. The heart monitor is not terribly accurate and the device gives me wildly discrepant step counts and distance estimates for the same walking route. In the end, I find myself relying more on the Map My Fitness app for walking (it's VERY accurate) and my old chest strap heart monitor for more intense workouts. The sleep tracking provided some interesting insights, but not enough to warrant keeping this device.

Coming off this experience, I'd say that trackers are terrific for people who have not been attentive to diet and fitness in the past because seeing all of your stats at a glance in the dashboard is quite motivating. But for someone who already logs food and movement into MFP, I'm not convinced there's enough value added over the long haul.

arl0310

kpatricesmith wrote: »

I recently purchased the very well reviewed Fitbit Charge HR (which cost even more than the Vivofit, I believe) and at first, I was completely in love with my new toy. It was a great motivator that inspired me to log back into MFP after a long haitus, to start taking daily lunch-hour walks to get those step counts up, and to get back into the gym.

But after only a couple of weeks, the shine is starting to wear off. The heart monitor is not terribly accurate and the device gives me wildly discrepant step counts and distance estimates for the same walking route. In the end, I find myself relying more on the Map My Fitness app for walking (it's VERY accurate) and my old chest strap heart monitor for more intense workouts. The sleep tracking provided some interesting insights, but not enough to warrant keeping this device.

Coming off this experience, I'd say that trackers are terrific for people who have not been attentive to diet and fitness in the past because seeing all of your stats at a glance in the dashboard is quite motivating. But for someone who already logs food and movement into MFP, I'm not convinced there's enough value added over the long haul.

Thank you so much for your detailed response, it definitely helped clear up a couple of questions I had about fitness trackers. I do already enter my distances on mfp when I walk or anything exercise related, but I don't see how my daily steps should be entered as exercise alone. I was just curious to how well they worked since they cost a pretty penny, I would enjoy having one as an extra motivator like you said, but if it doesn't last long or keep giving accurate data then I'm not sure if I should bother with it. I will check into the app you mentioned though. Thanks!!!

mwyvr

I use my phone and the free android Google Fit app for basic step and activity tracking. For running, and cycling, I use. Strava, which also feeds into Google Fit and as it turns out MFP. For a very long time (600km) of running since last fall that's all I used.

For me the simple Fit app completion graph was all I needed as motivation and a reminder to be active every day. Strava gave and still gives me detailed info on what I've done and progress.

Fit Bit and other trackers held some appeal but didn't offer much above and beyond what my phone was able to provide, that mattered to me.

That all said, I have since added a Garmin Forerunner GPS watch as a tool specifically to help with my running training and to a lesser extent to support cycling. The model I have is definitely not a general purpose "fitness tracker" but is a specialised tool for those two sports. It doesn't do sleep or steps or volleyball or hot yoga for example.

Beyond the heart rate, pace, cadence, speed, distance and myriad other metrics it captures, the watch is water and sweat proof, to 50 meters. My phone is not, and I'd already killed one smartphone screen with water damage from my running. Another screen repair or two and the running GPS watch would be paid for.

The watch also make it possible for me too monitor pace and heart beat in real time which my phone at the small of my back, in a zip lock bag, in a SPI Belt, does not. The watch also contains any workout and training plans I am currently following... I particularly like this for interval training and hill running.

That all said if it took a Fit Bit or similar product to get me moving, I'd spend the money. But since Google Fit was doing that for free already... and I was highly motivated enough by that.. I returned the Jawbone. UP2 my lovely wife got me for Christmas, opting instead to wait until I was ready for and in need of the Garmin.

bennett180790

i have the polar loop and could not be happier. i had the fitbit Hr which was shite and sent it back for a refund. i had a polat FT4 before and a garmin GPS watch. i have had no trouble with the Loop and it is extremely accurate. You need to buy the HRM strap seperatley but even so it comes in cheaper than fitbit. My polar app has worked everyday where the fitbit one rarely worked. go for a polar loop or a polar activity tracker

mwyvr

Optical heart rate monitors don't have a particularly stellar reputation at this point; one arm mounted optical monitor is getting decent reviews.

The chest strap monitors overall have been more reliable but even those can have problems over time as straps wear.

Of course if HR isn't something one is interested in then there are all kinds of options.

nstock

A lot of phones now a days have a pedometer on them, where you can enter your weight, height, age, water intake, food, etc. I have a Samsung, and just use it for the pedometer and occasionally my heart rate.

annaskiski

No one for the Apple watch?

Consumer Reports tested it against their highest rated HRM:

“We pitted the Apple Watch against our highest-rated heart rate monitor here at Consumer Reports,” says electronics editor Glenn Derene. “Wearing both, our testers hit the treadmill — first walking slowly, then a little faster, then a jog back to a walk.”

The test found there “were no significant differences” between Apple Watch and the dedicated heart rate monitor, with both reporting similar readings.

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/04/27/apple-watch-performs-well-in-consumer-reports-tests/

If you're going to spend a couple hundred bucks, get a monitor that does more......

TeaBea

What type of activity / exercise do you do? How many bells and whistles do you want? How much you want to spend?

Activity monitors are meant to track step based activity. If you sync them to MFP you will get calorie adjustments depending upon your steps. This is great for people who have both sedentary and active days. Heart rate monitors (HRMs) are designed for steady state cardio. So if your exercise is cycling, then an activity tracker with a HRM attachment may be a good investment. But if you expect your HRM to give you an accurate reading for strength training it's not gonna happen.

Bells and whistles are things like....the device will buzz when you have been sitting too long, some will read stairs climbed, many will track sleep habits.

I have a FitBit One.....this one is not worn on the wrist, so it doesn't mistake arm movement for steps (Flex drawback). I like that I can sync it to MFP (long list of devices...check the apps menu). The syncing keeps me more honest. My cardio is step based, so the calorie count seems pretty accurate.

Another factor.....is the site free? FitBit's site is free, but I know there are trackers out there that require annual fees.

Soccermavrick

TeaBea hit it on the nose. What are you using it for?

My wife loves the Fitbit HR, though she gets annoyed from time to time if she is carrying stuff, and the monitor does not count the steps since her arm was not moving. And the step count motivates her. She previously had a Bodybug, but it was locked into a website that had a huge annual maintenance fee. Me I wanted a better Heart-rate monitor and use the Polor FT80, but it requires a chest strap. And it goes not have GPS so when I go trail running, I get my H/R but not the distance. That and the uplink for me is a bit glitchy, so it is more For My Information, than tracking here.

So I recommend that you figure out or think about what you are doing with it, then figure out what you need, and your do and do not like. (Do you mind a chest strap? Do you plan to wear it all day, day and night? What do you want to track? What would you like to track? Can it or will it upload to your moble devices?) In addition, a number of the major websites allow you to see examples of what reading you will get.

brianpperkins

annaskiski wrote: »

No one for the Apple watch?

Consumer Reports tested it against their highest rated HRM:

“We pitted the Apple Watch against our highest-rated heart rate monitor here at Consumer Reports,” says electronics editor Glenn Derene. “Wearing both, our testers hit the treadmill — first walking slowly, then a little faster, then a jog back to a walk.”

The test found there “were no significant differences” between Apple Watch and the dedicated heart rate monitor, with both reporting similar readings.

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/04/27/apple-watch-performs-well-in-consumer-reports-tests/

If you're going to spend a couple hundred bucks, get a monitor that does more......

That review is meaningless and panders to the Apple Fanboy/Fangirl realm with its lack of detail.

Recommending the Apple Watch to a person that thinks the Vivofit is outrageously priced shows you are more concerned with hyping your chosen toy than addressing the OP's desires and needs.

annaskiski

brianpperkins wrote: »

That review is meaningless and panders to the Apple Fanboy/Fangirl realm with its lack of detail.

Recommending the Apple Watch to a person that thinks the Vivofit is outrageously priced shows you are more concerned with hyping your chosen toy than addressing the OP's desires and needs.

Wow dude, didn't mean to hit a nerve.

I apologize on behalf of all people using the Apple watch as a fitness tracker.....

brianpperkins

annaskiski wrote: »

brianpperkins wrote: »

That review is meaningless and panders to the Apple Fanboy/Fangirl realm with its lack of detail.

Recommending the Apple Watch to a person that thinks the Vivofit is outrageously priced shows you are more concerned with hyping your chosen toy than addressing the OP's desires and needs.

Wow dude, didn't mean to hit a nerve.

I apologize on behalf of all people using the Apple watch as a fitness tracker.....

Those who put fandom ahead of fact don't hit a nerve, they just need to be countered with reality. You recommended a device that starts at nearly triple the cost (using MSRP ... a comparison of Amazon pricing has the Apple Watch at over four times the price of a Vivofit) of the one the OP described as "outrageously priced" while citing a flawed report of a non-detailed test. The fact you deem yourself worthy of apologizing for a group is absolutely laughable.

annaskiski

brianpperkins wrote: »

Those who put fandom ahead of fact don't hit a nerve, they just need to be countered with reality. You recommended a device that starts at nearly triple the cost (using MSRP ... a comparison of Amazon pricing has the Apple Watch at over four times the price of a Vivofit) of the one the OP described as "outrageously priced" while citing a flawed report of a non-detailed test. The fact you deem yourself worthy of apologizing for a group is absolutely laughable.

I'm baffled how you can call it a flawed report when you haven't seen it yet. Consumer Reports is still testing. They just released the results of the first set of tests.

Don't worry, the next set might be bad, and you can rejoice!

brianpperkins

The test you keep posting links to doesn't say what it means by "significant differences" nor does it fully describe the testing. If seeing that as flawed baffles you, it says a lot about you.

I've noticed you don't address the fact you recommended a product that is 3-4x the cost of what the OP describes as "outrageously priced" ... does that simple cost comparison baffle you as well?

annaskiski

brianpperkins wrote: »

The test you keep posting links to doesn't say what it means by "significant differences" nor does it fully describe the testing. If seeing that as flawed baffles you, it says a lot about you.

I've noticed you don't address the fact you recommended a product that is 3-4x the cost of what the OP describes as "outrageously priced" ... does that simple cost comparison baffle you as well?

Wow dude, you really need your blood pressure checked. Why are you so freakin' mad?

"Outrageously priced" can mean different things. Is it 'outrageously priced' because it only does one thing? Is it just a pedometer?

Last time I priced the Fitbit Surge (before XMas), it was just under $200. Since the apple watch starts at $350, is it more economical since it has more functions?

If it doesn't make sense for you, don't buy it....

brianpperkins

So simple concepts baffle you and you mistake speaking in fact for getting mad. I would lower myself to "dude" like speak ... but I'm better than that.

annaskiski

brianpperkins wrote: »

So simple concepts baffle you and you mistake speaking in fact for getting mad. I would lower myself to "dude" like speak ... but I'm better than that.

LOL ok. I will leave you then so you can spread you wisdom....

Dude

Upstate_Dunadan

Told you...

AurobindoSaha

Hi

With due my respect and acknowledgement to benefits of all modern fitness trackers, please allow me to share my opinion.

I was fascinated and motivated by seeing people around me wearing fitness bands and I was provoked to buy one. And kept searching for something which gives best value for money. For me the requirement was simple. I needed a device that can tell me on daily basis, that I have met exercise goal. My cholesterol are in borderline, so daily walking is important for me.

Started went to local stores and checked FitBit, Vivofit, and so on, and then gradually I asked myself what I really need a fitness toy for? If its just a device to keep track of my exercise then probably a pedometer is enough. I needed something simple and reliable and not very costly. I finally bought Omron HJ-321 from Target ($17). Its a simple device that tells how many steps you walked. And the bonus is it counts aerobic steps separately. Aerobic steps are counted when I walk more than 10 minutes continuous or 110 pitch (steps per minute). I needed to know whether I walked 10K steps per day. Other info are also available like Calories Burn, Distance Covered, Time, etc and reading units are shown in metric or ISO standard. It keeps 7 days data in memory and counter resets automatically at midnight. Its reliable, small to slip in my pocket.

I think the use of these devices is realized with self discipline and will power. Pedometer is more than what I need for now to reduce weight and stay healthy. My myfitnesspal is the tool I need to keep track of the calories from food.

With these two tools (the pedometer & myfitnesspal), backed by my will power, I think I have all I need to keep me in shape.

Thanks,
Aurobindo

rosebette

I just got a a FitBit HR last week and I really like it. I think it's quite accurate. In fact, my daily burn is almost exactly what my TDEE is. It's very easy to sync with MFP. I guess the only drawback is for those of us who think one of these devices will give us permission to eat more. If anything, the opposite is true. MFP is pretty accurate for strength training, yoga, etc. but overestimates burns for high intensity cardio like kickboxing and zumba. My biggest fear is if I have a sedentary day (which I haven't yet), it will show that I'm using under 1000 calories a day, which means I'd really have to adjust my diet even more!

CoachJen71

I have an odd question about the optical wrist HRs. If the light seeping in underneath them causes problems for accuracy, could you wear a sweatband over them to keep things darker?

brianpperkins

CoachJen71 wrote: »

I have an odd question about the optical wrist HRs. If the light seeping in underneath them causes problems for accuracy, could you wear a sweatband over them to keep things darker?

It might ... but it also eliminates the ability to see the device and get a reading. For the time being, wrist mounted HRMs are inherently inaccurate.

DebzNuDa

arl0310 wrote: »

I'm curious about the fitness trackers that work as pedometers, heart rate monitors, sleep monitors, and some even have more ways to track your daily movement and exercise. Some are outrageously priced, such as the garmin vivofit, but I'm wondering if there is a moderately priced one that someone enjoys and it works just as well?
What are your thoughts on activity trackers? Useful or waste of money/time?

Now I am curious since I bought the Vivofit. Mine was only $100.00 (well, after the tax and all). When I was looking at FitBit they looked about the same price. Not to be nosey, but how much are y'all spending on yours if you don't mind? Oh and YES, I love my Vivofit.

Lefty1290

I bought a Misfit Flash for cheap in January and I like it. It keeps me motivated to exercise. I like that I can clip it to my shoe and get more accuracy when walking/running or cycling.