Activity Trackers??

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  • amyr271
    amyr271 Posts: 343 Member
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    Sorry, I meant just walking around at work, cleaning - day to day tasks, shouldn't have used the term exercise
  • ThatMouse
    ThatMouse Posts: 229 Member
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    brianpperkins wrote: »
    amyr271 wrote: »
    The reason that I want it is to measure my daily exercise and so that I can make sure I'm moving enough!

    Step based movement? Cycling? Swimming? Lifting? It matters.

    This, completely.

    I bought the Polar Loop after doing a lot of research into various fitness trackers. I suggest you make a list of the features and requirements you have for your watch.

    Mine looked like this:
    • Must be able to measure HRs of 160+ (I'm young and my cardio HR gets pretty high at top intensity) - this ruled out most wrist-based HR watches at the time.
    • Must be able to be worn during karate and taiko (Japanese drumming involving much arm flailing) - this also ruled out a lot of wrist-based HR watches, as I needed an HR strap that could sync to a watch I left in my bag or pocket so it wouldn't be damaged or hurt someone during activity.
    • Had to have time, HR and calories (TDEE) displayed - a grand majority of fitness trackers don't track anything other than steps, which makes them useless for activities like lifting, sprinting and martial arts.
    • Must look good - surprisingly, many don't look good to me.
    • Must be semi-affordable.
    • Must be durable.

    Do up a list of "must have", "would like to have" and "can't have"s, then do your research.

    You could be spending $200+, make it a smart choice and a researched buy.

    Consider other factors, too, such as app integration (Polar doesn't integrate with MFP, unfortunately - it'd be great if it did) or social media integration (Polar has a nice community you can share your workouts with).
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
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    I have had the Jawbone, and a couple of the Fitbits. I have a Garmin now, and IMO they are the best. I have the Vivoactive and the chest strap heart rate monitor.

    It's worth at least checking out before making a decision.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
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    amyr271 wrote: »
    Sorry, I meant just walking around at work, cleaning - day to day tasks, shouldn't have used the term exercise

    I think once you get one, it will motivate you a lot.

    I thought they were a fad when I first got one, but you would not believe how much they motivate, and make activity and calorie tracking sooooooooooooo easy.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    amyr271 wrote: »
    Sorry, I meant just walking around at work, cleaning - day to day tasks, shouldn't have used the term exercise

    If all you're looking to track is step based activity, any pedometer will work for establishing trends. For all of the media hype, a Fitbit is only a pedometer with integration features. Expect about a +/- 10% error rate on step counting.

    If you bike or run outdoors, a device with GPS might be beneficial. If you swim and want to count laps, that narrows the list of devices for you.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
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    I have the newest Jawbone - the UP3 and so far so good. I had the older model (original) that I wore on my ankle and I felt it was very accurate for step counting. The UP app is awesome - the app will ask you if you did an activity based on your steps... so after I go for a walk or run it will ask me "Did you do an activity for x minutes?", then you can click "Yes" and enter type of exercise and intensity. You can also manually enter an activity in.

    I'm not confident this new Jawbone is as accurate with step counts as my old one - I wear it on my wrist and I'm pretty sure it logs steps when I'm moving my arms (sitting or driving), but then it doesn't log steps when I'm pushing a stroller or shopping cart or doing housework (when I'm carrying stuff around). Maybe it all evens out in the end though.



  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
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    If you have the money and like tech stuff, get it!

    It's really not necessary, though. I've lost a lot of weight and don't use any of them. I don't even take my pulse. I just swim and walk. When I've pushed too hard, I know it.

    I got a fitbit for Christmas and sold it on eBay.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    zdyb23456 wrote: »
    I have the newest Jawbone - the UP3 and so far so good. I had the older model (original) that I wore on my ankle and I felt it was very accurate for step counting. The UP app is awesome - the app will ask you if you did an activity based on your steps... so after I go for a walk or run it will ask me "Did you do an activity for x minutes?", then you can click "Yes" and enter type of exercise and intensity. You can also manually enter an activity in.

    I'm not confident this new Jawbone is as accurate with step counts as my old one - I wear it on my wrist and I'm pretty sure it logs steps when I'm moving my arms (sitting or driving), but then it doesn't log steps when I'm pushing a stroller or shopping cart or doing housework (when I'm carrying stuff around). Maybe it all evens out in the end though.



    pull the shopping cart...I have an older jawbone on my wrist and that's what I do.

    As for it logging arm movements when driving or working check and see...

    I love the app too...I set the timer for activities that are not step based and keep track that way too.

    I have Mapmyfitness linked in as well so for biking it works great.

    OP they are motivating...I was on the fence too but my husband sort of made me and I am so glad he did...

    I went from averaging 4k steps a day to 8k before exercise...

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