Anyone have a fitbit? Any good?

arnottr3

Thinking of buying a fitbit. Before I invest 200 bucks I was wondering if it's worth it.

peleroja

Well, what are your goals, and how do you expect the Fitbit to help you achieve them?

I have the One (less than $100 and clips to my bra so it's out of sight) and I find it to be very helpful as I maintain my weight and try to improve my running, because it helps me figure out exactly how active I am and how much I'm burning, so I'm more comfortable eating enough to fuel my workouts appropriately and run longer and faster. The calorie burn estimation has been very accurate for me and a helpful tool in balancing my calorie needs with my activity level. But that's me and my needs, which might be a lot different from yours.

autumnblade75

Why not create a free Fitbit account and see if the data looks like anything you'll consider valuable? If you have an IPhone, I believe you can even track your steps with that, and you don't even need a device. I have an android, so I'm not 100% about that, but it's what I've heard.

I consider that the data I get from my device was worth the $150 I spent on it, so long as the battery lasts a year... I'll let you know next August. The battery in the Charge HR not being user-serviceable was nearly a deal-breaker.

CaffeinatedConfectionist

I have a Flex, so it was nowhere near that expensive, and I find it moderately useful. The calorie burn estimate has been helpful when paired with my own TDEE estimate and observed data, and I like that it tracks my sleep, but I mostly enjoy having it as that little, annoying reminder when I have suuuper low days, like when I'm stuck in meetings all day at work or something; it can help remind me that I really ought to get off my butt. But it hasn't vastly changed my exercise habits in any way, just has been something of a mindfulness tool.

arnottr3

My goal is to lose weight right now then gain muscle. So I wanted to count calories, steps and heart rate. I seen you can join challenge groups to compete with calories and steps. Figured it would keep me more motivated with healthy competition. I didn't know about the battery I'll have to look into that. I'll check out the flex too. Maybe try that one out if cheaper and then go fitbit if like what they do. Thanks guys and gals.

shadowofender

I have a one and I mostly use it to make myself more active now that I know what a typical day consists of. I found I was way lazier than I thought, so I go out of my way to take more steps. I do not use it with calories because it's just a way for me to be more self aware and it works great for that.

arnottr3

Perfect that's what I was looking for. I figured if I see how many steps I take it will make me push to reach more. Thanks.

Kell2912

I have a charge HR and i find it invaluable. it syncs with mfp and the info i get about my active minutes, Heart rate and amount of time I've had my heart rate in cardio or fat burning zone is invaluable. I also use it to track my weight. If these are things you are looking to track and in conjunction with mfp it is so worth it

Rhayahana

I have a Garmin Vivosmart HR. Slightly more expensive but the Charge HR is too large on my wrist and refuses to read my heartrate because light can get to the sensor. Plus I just think the Fitbit devices are butt-ugly

For accurate HR readings, you'll still need a chest strap. I have so far found all activity trackers really lacking in that area. It works fine for resting HR, but for activities not so much. After a full hour of intense cardio several devices told me my HR was in the 78-100 range. I'm pretty fit but not that fit! As a comparison, my HR only monitor with chest strap gave me 158-160 as a reading. The band will occasionally get the right reading, but it's still iffy. Also, if it's too loose or too tight on your wrist it will mess up readings.

In my experience, any activity tracker will constantly remind you to be more active, to try and meet your step goal, take the stairs because you want to hit that number, etc. It's even made me go to bed on time so I can see the satisfying yellow graph instead of the blue one in the garmin app. So I would definitely recommend getting an activity tracker, it really does work!

arnottr3

Ok thank you I'll look into both. Maybe the Garmin first. I read somewhere that fitbit had a lawsuit fir inaccurate HR reading so that's why I posted. Also looked at the leaf but has bad reviews for inaccurate readings because not close enough to skin and bulky.

joshenya

I've been using various Fitbit devices for years and love them. Their customer support is great when an issue has come up as well. I've compared my HR in the dr's office and on gym equipment (which I don't normally depend on, anyway) and it's always similar. I use the Charge HR currently.

xxghost

I would highly recommend FitBit. I used a Flex for two years. Literally every single day. When I finally upgraded to a Charge HR on my birthday, my Flex still held a charge for a full week, and looked brand new.

My Charge HR is really fantastic. I don't eat back all my exercise calories, or swear by the HR monitor, because I know that the numbers are not going to be perfect. But it does a nice job of telling me that I'm not REALLY pushing as hard as I think I am. I jog longer or bike harder to keep my heart rate up, and I like that a lot.

At the most basic level, that 10,000 step goal gets me off the couch. I love the challenges - I just spent two hours at the gym to beat a coworker! I lost quite a bit of weight just by keeping an eye on my step number, and moving more. Not to mention the customer support is awesome. I had a defect in my HR, and they sent me a replacement no problem.

Give it a shot, and let me know what you think!

Kapoten

I have a Fitbit Charge HR and the Aria scale, both of which sync with MFP. I love them! I realized that I am not as sedentary as I assumed, so I can eat more than I thought. The heart rate monitor also helps me get a better estimate of the calories burned during a workout, again giving me a better idea of how much I should be eating. I previously had a Fitbit Flex and didn't like it nearly as much as the Charge HR.

penciljockey123

I have a fitbit zip and love it. It really helps me stay on track and put in a few extra steps if I find myself short of my daily goal. I also like how it syncs itself with mfp.

anothermop

khatmott wrote: »

I have a charge HR and i find it invaluable. it syncs with mfp and the info i get about my active minutes, Heart rate and amount of time I've had my heart rate in cardio or fat burning zone is invaluable. I also use it to track my weight. If these are things you are looking to track and in conjunction with mfp it is so worth it

I totally agree! I also like to watch my sleep habits. If I'm more restless on certain nights, I try to think about what I've eaten that day, if I had drinks after 8 pm, or whatever. It's very cool.

ChristineS_51

I have a Misfit Shine, but just last week I "inherited" my daughters Fitbit Flex as she has upgraded to an Apple Watch. I like the Fitbit better than the Shine - which I lost for several months (twice) once I found it in the fridge fruit crisper, once in the tumble dryer, still worked perfectly so the Misfit Shine is tough, and waterproof - wore it when I went swimming, in the shower. But the Fitbit does seem better for me, I walk for fitness and it tracks my steps - altho there is a discrepancy between what the Fitbit counts in distance and what MapMyFitness says, so that is weird. But I have found the Fitbit very motivating and joined a challenge with my friends, made me move more. I have the black strap but the Fitbit does have other colours if you are into colour coordination! Good luck :-)

curioumz

arnottr3 wrote: »

Thinking of buying a fitbit. Before I invest 200 bucks I was wondering if it's worth it.

I only have the first one Fitbit Flex! But I absolutely love it!!!
It links right with this My Fitness Pal! It's cool to see them work together! The Fitbit relays my treadmill workout and MFP shows how many extra calories I could eat! Lol!
Of course I don't!

kuroshii

If all you care about are steps, the Zip is only around fifty bucks It uses a replaceable 2025/2032 battery that lasts for several months (vs recharging) and it's tiny. On a clip (or in a pocket) instead of a bracelet. I've had mine for over three years now and still love it.

jeepinshawn

Non hr charge here, don't know know what I would do without it. I love it!

mmteixeira

As many have said, it depends on what information you want...

I have a Charge HR - I use it for "timed sessions" - when doing P90x3, 21 Day Fix or just running on the treadmill I start a timed session. This tracks my heart rate among other things during the session. Once done, I stop the session. When I sync it, I have an approximate count of calories based on my heart rate during the session. I can then add the session to MyFitnessPal with a reasonably approximate calorie count.

I plan to start running this Spring (once the weather breaks) and I might consider a Surge (for the GPS). I have only had Fitbits so I can't compare but the HR does exactly what I want from it...

airangel59

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users

They are releasing 2 new models...Alta and Blaze.

I've got the Flex (since July 2013) , had the Force before it died & then was recalled and I also have the Garmin Vivofit (first one). I'm looking to get the Alta when it comes out.

I personally find the dang thing very motivating. I lead a pretty sedentary life.

allieparkia

I have a charge HR, got it for Christmas. I love it! Keeps me aware of my activity and helps me control my food. I also love that it connects with MFP.

arnottr3

Sounds like the flex and charge hr are the top picks. I'm gunna wait till alta comes out and check reviews because it looks pretty nice. If bad reviews ill go with charge hr I think. Thanks guys and gals. Sounds like they really motivate and are worth it.

JustMissTracy

I love my Flex...got it for Christmas, and I haven't gone a single day without wearing it, or making use of it's features. Best gift of the year! Very motivating, especially if you are competitive in nature.....I compete with my own numbers for activity minutes, sleep minutes etc....WORTH the $$$

SexyGamerGal

I recently got a fitbit charge hr. I love looking at my steps it has definitely got me more active and It reminds me to go to bed earlier so I can meet my 8 hr goal since before I was getting 4-6 hours of sleep per night. I considered waiting for the fitbit blaze since it is the charge hr almost but touch screen and more controls such as controlling your music but, I figure if my charge hr works through Christmas I may ask my hubby for an upgrade. I would buy this all over again I honestly love it so much. If you do buy make sure to check your wrist on the side of the box. I know several of us have had to return a small for a large etc because sales people didn't know about sizing.

arnottr3

Thanks. I decided the charge hr because the new alta doesn't have heart rate. Was just going to order online in small. Thanks for the heads up. Probably saved me some headache if it doesn't fit. I'll get one at the store.

LCbaby0x

i absolutely love mine. When you buy it message me so we can do some challenges!

yyyy1313

I'm a big fan of fitbit. Like others mentioned, seeing how inactive you are throughout the day really motivates you to get moving. Its fun hitting a goal and then trying to see if you can exceed it. Plus if used with that aria scale you can see progression on fat loss versus muscle loss/gain, and just make adjustments as needed.

Another sweet feature is, if you like using myfitnesspal to track your food, its completely compatible with fitbit and the data carries over to both websites.

arnottr3

LCbaby0x will do. yyyy1313 I'm going to check out that scale thanks for mentioning. My issue right now is eating to little calories. I lost weight but the gym I go to checked body mass and was the same so they said I'm burning muscle. Would be handy to have to make adjustments in what I'm eating.

lyndefisher

My husband and I both have a FitBit Charge and love them. Keeps us motivated!

kuroshii

OK so you're apparently *more* active than you're estimating. A fitbit (or other tracking device that ties to MFP) can help with that too! It will adjust your calories upward, and your macros will scale to match so you can make sure you're getting enough protein etc.