Fitbit accurate?

armydreamers
armydreamers Posts: 175 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does the regular plain old Fitbit (NOT the HR version) accurately measure calories burned? Since it's not monitoring you're heart rate, i guess it's just an estimate, but I'm curious how accurate that estimate is. I want to buy an HR but don't want to spend that much right now. Thanks! :)

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    I bought the Flex because I wanted something that would help keep me more active. It's done a good job with that, and gives a pretty good estimate of my calories burned. I've lost weight, and kept it off, and the Fitbit has been instrumental in this. Helps me keep an eye on how much I'm supposed to eat on a given day.

    They all do estimates, though having the HR as a reference point may give a better estimate. You'd have to try it out to see.

    Check Amazon and/or groupon for deals - I've seen a lot of posts about both of those sites having sales on some of the Fitbits :)

    ~Lyssa
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    It's an estimate, just like the goal MFP gives you is an estimate. Some may find it to be pretty close to 100% accurate, others may not.
  • armydreamers
    armydreamers Posts: 175 Member
    Would the ChargeHR be more accurate than the Flex?
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    the reported experiences of users here seems to be that the Fitibt calories broadly match their rate of change of weight. The accelerometer in a Fitbit One is aware of the intensity of your activity by vibration without knowing your heart rate.
  • Colorscheme
    Colorscheme Posts: 1,179 Member
    Fitbits TDEE and TDEE calculators I've used seem to be spot on, so yes, I do think works.
  • srecupid
    srecupid Posts: 660 Member
    It's all estimates. The more data it has to factor into the estimate equation the more likely it is to be accurate. Whether it works for you or jot though us the real question. Maybe try it and then compare results to the predicted results.
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
    My HR seems to be quite accurate. If anything it slightly under-estimates my TDEE. I can't vouch for any of the other models, though.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    The answer is "definitely maybe".
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    it provides a good estimation once you know how to use the data versus your actual weight loss progress.
  • becalee26
    becalee26 Posts: 185 Member
    I lost 20lbs with the hr charge. I went on to buy the HR model but kind of wish I didn't. The charge was just as good. Don't know about the flex.

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