Considering a FitBit, couple of Q's?

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  • Versacam
    Versacam Posts: 109 Member
    Ah yes, sorry, you're right.. the Charge HR.

    Maybe I just need to take the plunge and get one! :)
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,236 Member
    I would actually consider the ZIP.

    More accurate step count than wrist based ones.

    HRM is NOT needed to calculate TDEE based on Step based activities.

    HRM is NOT CORRECT way to calculate TDEE for non-steady state aerobic activities. So calculating your weight training or calisthenics based on HRM is as, or more, inaccurate than looking up the values for those exercises in a book (or the Fitbit database which is what I would do instead ;-)

    So... that pretty much only leaves cycling as an activity that the HRM based Fitbit would excel at relative to the ZIP.
    But cycling is also well understood in terms of evaluating your burn based on time and speed and your TDEE for that time period can be evaluated even better by apps such as Strava and entered into your Fitbit account if you use something like a Zip.

    Floors count for your own motivation but are not factored into your TDEE

    Sleep is marginally useful (not really useful) and offers minimal insights if you already know what time you head to bed.

    HR is version 1; but works fairly OK (just doesn't hit the highs and lows as fast as other HRs, and has issues with excess sweat).

    GPS on the surge is also version 1 and can stand improvement compared to more mature GPS watches.

    All in all, knowing what I know now, I would probably pick up a zip if my charge HR broke. Though to be honest if I was buying one for the first time I would still get the Charge HR and then read back the advice and say I should have listened to it :smiley:

    So buy from somewhere where you can return with impunity.
  • Versacam
    Versacam Posts: 109 Member
    Okay, I'm getting the Zip.. it's cheaper and I will mostly use it on days out walking etc.. and use my Polar HRM for other exercise (cycling etc)..

    Will I be okay wearing it for a day here and there, or should I wear it every day?

    It's mostly for days out where I don't want to wear my HRM, but I know I'll be walking a lot and want a rough calorie burn..
  • Versacam
    Versacam Posts: 109 Member
    Thanks Pav, that was a good summary and was very useful for me! You should work for FitBit :)
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Versacam wrote: »
    Okay, I'm getting the Zip.. it's cheaper and I will mostly use it on days out walking etc.. and use my Polar HRM for other exercise (cycling etc)..

    Will I be okay wearing it for a day here and there, or should I wear it every day?

    It's mostly for days out where I don't want to wear my HRM, but I know I'll be walking a lot and want a rough calorie burn.

    Fitbits calculate your TDEE. No need to wear a Zip at night, as it doesn't track sleep. But wear it all day, every day.

    Do not log any step-based activity—your Fitbit will track it for you. Log non-step exercise (like swimming or biking) either in Fitbit or in MFP—never both. Exercise logged in MFP (for example, your HRM burns) overwrites your Fitbit burn during that time, so there's never any "double dipping."

    Does your HRM sync with Fitbit? That way your HRM sends your burn to Fitbit, Fitbit sends your TDEE to MFP, and MFP adjusts your calories for you: https://www.fitbit.com/compatibleapps
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    I'd recommend wearing the Zip every day. Every day is a chance to be more active and motivated to move. The FitBit EXCELS at tracking incidental steps and activity you do day-to-day that's hard to quantify. Just doing house chores burns makes you more active than sedentary. Track it. Learn your habits. Learn how you can be more active every day to burn calories every day (not just via set exercises, but just by living a more active life).

    Just my recommendation.
  • Versacam
    Versacam Posts: 109 Member
    My sleep is okay, plus I'd hate wearing anything at night, so no need for that function for me..

    Okay, so just wear it in the day and let it sync, but keep adding in my gym and mountain bike sessions with my HRM.. The Polar doesn't sync with MFP, I have to enter it manually.

    Great info everyone, you've all been really helpful! :)
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    I love my Zip. You wear it on your body rather than on your wrist, so it only captures steps and not arm movements.

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