Do you still use your fitbit?

nablackb

Good morning!

My work is having a step competition over the next few months and they provided us a pedometer that's cheap, inaccurate and basically useless. I have a Fitbit flex that I decided to start using instead. I know there has been articles that shows Fitbit's aren't as helpful or accurate as people would hope them to be.

What are your thoughts on Fitbits? Which model do you have and why do you find it helpful/useful or not?

Any other constructive advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

murp4069

I have been using a Fitbit for a few years now. I've seen a lot of other threads where people have discussed how inaccurate their calorie burns are, but I've found mine to be very accurate. As for step count accuracy, it's pretty accurate. Of course you may get some extra steps from things like washing the dishes or brushing your hair, but at least for me it's pretty negligible over the course of a day. At the end of the day the Fitbit is a tool just like any other. Mine keeps me motivated to stay active throughout the day so I can reach my daily step goal. I also participate in step challenges with other users that help keep me motivated.

I currently have the Fitbit Blaze and like it a lot. The functionality is good and it's nice that I can customize the bands and everything with work outfits. I used to have the Flex, which I also liked. I like the Blaze more because of the additional functionality, but if you really just want to count steps, the Flex is fine.

tahxirez

I have also used a fitbit for years and have never had an issue losing weight or maintaining while eating most calories the fitbit and MFP gave me. I suspect that some of those threads have a lot to do with logging inaccuracy than with fitbit inaccuracy or I'm a special snowflake that burns almost exactly what fitbit says I burn. Also its interesting to note that before i had a fitbit I was logging exercise here and probably not accurately logging food and not losing a dang thing. Fitbit changed the game totally for me.

Chef_Barbell

Meh. To me, it's overrated, over hyped, uncomfortable and completely inaccurate compared to my previous activity tracker.

Sharon_C

I stopped using mine after about 3 years of constant use. I stopped losing weight when I started using mine because I think the calorie burn was so wrong (this is just my opinion and not verified by any scientific means).

However, if you're using it to just count steps then I say go for it.

IMO a Fitbit is good for people who have no idea how much they move throughout the day. I think it makes people aware of how little they move and maybe might motivate them to move more. I think it loses its effectiveness over time though for most people. Again, I have nothing to back this claim up other than my own opinion and use of the device.

Azercord

I completely agree with the post above. I also have a Blaze and it has been a great tool. It doesn't pick up too many extra steps either, if I sit at my desk for an hour it will often complain at me that I have taken zero steps and need to move around so nothing extra from work. The only place I've found that you really need to watch out is pushing carts around, there isn't enough movement in the wrist to register.

French_Peasant

I had an HR Charge that I used every day for half a year till it started to fall apart, then we glued it back together with gorilla glue, and I still used it every day even though it was butt-ugly AND covered in glue, then I finally exercised the warranty and got a discount on the (much prettier) Charge 2 (with the Tiffany-box-blue band), which I got about a month ago (and STILL use every day). Although inaccurate in tracking things like weight lifting, I do use it to track my heart rate, track my different exercises, and use it to push myself to get well over 10,000 steps a day (over 20,000 on the days I force my whole family to go hiking so I can get a lot of steps, LOL).

Taking a dispassionate look at it, it's probably fair-to-middlin' useful, but from the perspective that we are all oddballs that can be motivated by some strange things, it also kind of functions as a l'il mini coach sitting on my wrist and definitely pushes me to go the extra mile.

Emily3907

I stopped using my fitbit. I didn't find that it really helped me or encouraged me. I got a Polar hrm instead and like that much better. I only use it for my workouts. I get better data about my workouts and it gives me a better gauge on where to improve.

PAnn1

I just got my FitBit about a month ago and love it! I used to use my HRM watch and loved that, too! For me, accurate or not, it still shows me something, and I can see the difference in how many steps/miles I have done and strive to continually do better. Just like a scale, they aren't all accurate, nor is one scale the same as the next, but it still helps us to shoot to do better. I compare my numbers daily (not the scale, that's every 2 weeks). These things ARE all tools, as murp4069 said. You can use the tools however you need to, to see how good or bad you are doing.

gryphonwind

I have been using the Alta for about 10 months. It is accurate for the most part - except when I "power" walk -LOL - the arm swinging causes it to be UNDER for some reason - so I put it in my pocket - but it does well for everyday movement. I find the best part about it is the motivation I get from challenges with my family. They help me stay accountable as well. I had another step tracker "jawbone" and it was great but no one I knew had one so there was no way to challenge.

kikicooks

I think the steps are pretty much accurate except for the few extra you might get if you are moving arms only and not stepping. I just assume at the end of the day I actually have a little less than my FitBit says but it still motivates me. The challenges really help me move more too. I have Charge HR and have been happy with it after using a Flex for several months 1st. I had no problem with the Flex but just wanted one where I can see the steps on the band and having a watch is nice. I don't use the heart rate monitor as much as I thought it was but sometimes I look at it. Not sure how accurate that is, I haven't tested it.

ninerbuff

I had a Flex then got a Charge 2 because I got tired of pulling out my phone every time I needed to check the time. Gave the Flex to my DD and I like my Charge 2. I don't use it for calorie counting, just to count steps and check my activity level throughout the day. On average I've been doing 19,000 steps a day.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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jemhh

I use it to gauge my activity level. If my step number is way down and I haven't done some sort of non-stepping activity in its place (e.g., lifting weights) I know that I need to move more.

My Fitbit has never been close enough to accurate with my calories to be useful in that regard. But I've been counting calories long enough that I don't really need it for that.

WinoGelato

tahxirez wrote: »

I have also used a fitbit for years and have never had an issue losing weight or maintaining while eating most calories the fitbit and MFP gave me. I suspect that some of those threads have a lot to do with logging inaccuracy than with fitbit inaccuracy or I'm a special snowflake that burns almost exactly what fitbit says I burn. Also its interesting to note that before i had a fitbit I was logging exercise here and probably not accurately logging food and not losing a dang thing. Fitbit changed the game totally for me.

Pretty much all of this. I used a Flex synced with MFP while losing and now have a Charge HR and am maintaining pretty effortlessly. I have found it to be accurate for me and it's how I know that even as a petite female, it's possible to have a TDEE above 2000 and lose weight eating more than 1200 cals...

CSARdiver

It's a tool and as helpful as you need it to be. In all instruments there's a degree of accuracy that needs to be known. Just don't expect more than the instrument is designed for.

I started with a Flex and after a year it would not hold a charge. Called customer support and they checked diagnostics and sent me a new unit. I used that one for another year and upgraded to the Flex 2 a few months ago. It's a helpful pedometer. For HRM I prefer this increased accuracy of a chest monitor and use a Polar H7.

kksmom1789

I have had a fitbit for a year and and I have worn it everyday. I love it even if the calorie burn isn't spot on I still love to see how many steps I get I use the extra calories I get as a buffer in case we go out to eat or I want a tasty treat but I only eat 50%-75% of them back. I have lost 30lbs in the last year and I attribute getting my fitbit a huge help with that #

mitch16

I have a Fitbit Flex, primarily because my company sponsors step "competitions" that result in reduced health care premiums if you meet the goal (which is fairly easy--you just have to take 400K steps in something like 60 days... I usually get there in ~30 days). Even when we're not in the middle of the competition I still like to ensure that I am getting 10K+ steps most days (I work a sedentary office job). I also find the sleep monitor interesting. I do not, however, rely on Fitbit's calorie calculations.

Sabine_Stroehm

I've been using one for years.
First a flex, then a Charge HR.

I love the thing.

vingogly

I stopped using it when I started using the Health app on my iPhone. One less thing to carry around. I use it as a rough measure and motivator, so I'm not all that obsessed with accuracy.

happymum37

I started with a flex and then upgraded to a charge HR. I've always found it to be accurate. During ups and downs of dieting, it has varied in importance but when I'm doing well then it's a really good motivating tool. At other times it's just a watch

GYATagain

Started with the Flex a few years ago and switched to the Charge HR a couple years ago. I find, when I'm paying attention, that it helps remind me I need to move more. I do not use it to "eat back" any of the calories - I use MFP to log and track calories and stay within that range. I also use the Charge HR for my 5 a.m. alarm and have set it for other alarms. I also have a Polar hrm and wore that on the other arm with the band to see how the Charge HR measured up and found that it was pretty much the same - so can use the HR part while doing cardio. Have completed several "challenges" with other folks. With having a deskjob - it helps remind me to get my big ole' backside up and moving, like right now.....gotta go walk down the hall!

kgirlhart

I have a One and I love it. It clips to my bra so I don't have to worry about getting extra "steps" when I am washing dishes, etc. or missing steps when walking my dogs (I hold them close to my side so not a lot of arm swinging) or pushing a buggy at the grocery store. Plus it is discrete and I don't like to wear bracelets. I lost a little faster than expected while using it and now that I am in maintenance I still lose a little so I think that it actually underestimates my calorie burns. I have seen people say it overestimates calorie burn, but that has not been my experience.

happysherri

I stopped wearing my fitbit flex over the summer because I don't take enough steps to matter. I have a sit down job and would rather go to the gym after work and lift weights than concentrate on my lack of steps. I meal prep and focus on the foods I'm eating too. I realize you are entering a contest/competition for steps, however in my life I find counting steps worthless.

itsmyvwbeetle

I use the alta. It doesnt get all my steps, if I am walking slow then it doesnt count them. Also for me my alta actually gives me less calories then MFP based on burns and daily activity. I do like the hourly reminders to get up and move and I know it helps me be more active during my day.

kali31337

I love my Fitbit ChargeHR2. I work at a desk all day and it's been very helpful to remind me to get up and move every hour. Since, I've started working out regularly, it's been nice to track my workouts and the calorie burn...although I don't usually eat them back. I had another heart-rate monitor that was a little more accurate but it was a chest strap and wasn't very useful for everyday purposes.

3rdof7sisters

Fitbit Charge HR.
On 2/3/17 it will be 4 years that I have had a fit bit.
I think it is extremely accurate for step based activities.
A great motivator to get me to move more.
Their customer service is fantastic!
Love mine, or I would not have had one this long.

pacingoamy

I have a fitbit surge and love it. This model has gps so it's helpful on my jogs and hikes. I found it's just as reliable as carrying my phone. Likewise, I have a desk job where I have to purposefully MAKE myself get up and walk steps when I may not be able to bring my phone. The fitbit helps me by showing me how this is actively working to benefit me and the sync with MFP helps me concentrate on other things rather than exercise and step administration.

Ready2Rock206

I currently have the Alta. I've been using FitBit for years and I love it. I think so many people have such unrealistic expectations of what it should do and then they are dissapointed, but if you use it the way its intended to be used it is a great tool.

jdhcm2006

I've been using mine off and on for the past two years. I have the Charge HR, and I like it. It's comfortable enough, it does count my steps and stairs (which is nice). I got it b/c I work a lot of evenings and I was curious about the amount steps I was getting. Although, I won't like I felt like the Garmin Vivofit was a bit more accurate step wise, but it can't give a consistent heart rate reading b/c it has the chest strap. I'm thinking of moving on to an Apple Watch just b/c it's pretty. But the price tag for that thing has kept me from giving in.

The problem with activity trackers for me is that I can't wear them during pole b/c I don't want to scratch the pole, my tracker, and I don't want to get stuck trying to wiggle my wrist out of a position b/c the tracker is in the way.

But for everyday use, I do like the Fitbit, Garmin, and I've heard good things about the Apple Watch. I think it all comes down to how much money you want to spend and which features are most important to you.

CooCooPuff

I've been using my Fitbit Charge HR for two years or so to help me get an idea of my TDEE. I don't fret too much over accuracies, just consistency.

Even body scales aren't 100 percent, but I weigh everyday and aim for a steady downward.

quiarga

I've had the Fitbit charge for just over a year now. I could care less what the calorie burn says, I never even look at that part. I just try to always meet my step goal and stair count. And it's nice to see the time or who's calling without checking my phone! The sleep tracker is also interesting. I definitely see better results when I'm getting enough sleep, and when it shows and hour or two during the day where it thinks I'm asleep I realize I need to get up and move around more instead of being a couch potato). Use it for what works best for you!