Help with FitBit/MFP

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AliciaRenee1
AliciaRenee1 Posts: 21 Member
in Getting Started
Hey everyone,

Can I please get some help/advise on which FitBit is the best to use in conjunction with MFP? I am at a total loss as to which would provide me the most data to help me achieve my goals.

Thanks!

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  • 50extra
    50extra Posts: 751 Member
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    I use a fitbit blaze, I like it because its almost looks like a smart watch, seems how the only watch I have is HUGE I stopped wearing one all together because I am too cheap to buy another nice one. I like that I can buy different bezels and bands for barely any money off of amazon and I like that it has a colored screen. A note about the bands is many people break their bands and its a pain to get replacements on any other one except the blaze. This is a very common problem.

    However, to answer your actual question, I would say that the Charge HR, Blaze or Surge would be best because they track the most information. They have continuous heart rate monitoring where the others don't. As far as the app is concerned I imagine that all trackers use the same interface, the only thing being some of them don't continuously chart HR, others don't count floors climbed, some don't track sleep (many believe the sleep tracking is inaccurate but I like it).

    There are many things to consider when buying an activity tracker. For me, the only two things that my fitbit doesn't have is GPS (it does piggyback off of my phone when I have it) and no fitbits are waterproof. If I wasn't so cheap I would probably upgrade to a watch that was full waterproof with integrated GPS.

  • trevorw52
    trevorw52 Posts: 48 Member
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    lm on my 5th fitness band. i think you have to work out what you want it do. they all count steps what exercise are you looking for the fitness band to track. the range is huge fitbit pairs well with MFP. i hope this helps. its hard trying to work out what one will work best for you
  • naturemama68
    naturemama68 Posts: 8 Member
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    I have a Fitbit HR2 and it works great with MFP. It has a lot of great features - check them out on the Fitbit web page (monitors heart rate, counts stairs, reminds you to move if you set it up that way, you can program in activities you do - hike, bike, circuit train, etc.) One poster mentioned that it's hard to get bands for anything except the Blaze. I haven't had a problem and have several that I change according to what I'm wearing - in fact, too many bands to choose from at Amazon so don't worry about that at all!
  • 50extra
    50extra Posts: 751 Member
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    naturemama68 wrote: »
    I have a Fitbit HR2 and it works great with MFP. It has a lot of great features - check them out on the Fitbit web page (monitors heart rate, counts stairs, reminds you to move if you set it up that way, you can program in activities you do - hike, bike, circuit train, etc.) One poster mentioned that it's hard to get bands for anything except the Blaze. I haven't had a problem and have several that I change according to what I'm wearing - in fact, too many bands to choose from at Amazon so don't worry about that at all!

    I stand corrected, I haven't looked at the Charge HR2 but now that i see it, I see they have removable bands. All of the other early fitbits didn't have removable bands so when the band broke they were useless.
  • AliciaRenee1
    AliciaRenee1 Posts: 21 Member
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    Thanks for your help everyone. I'm not a huge fan of watches but as I will be needing to wear my fitbit one that works as a watch seems sensible. I do want the sleep tracking because my sleep is crap at best but also as I work night shift (the joys of nursing) it would be helpful for me. Stair tracking is needed as well as I take the stairs as much as possible (except when escorting a patient). I am thinking of either the Blaze or Charge HR2 as my main one and the Alta HR as my secondary - when im at home doing my "home circuit". It goes without saying I do want my steps tracked and if I do get back to swimming later this year I may look into one that is waterproof (there is one in the FitBit range that is but has no screen etc just dots).
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    AliciaRenee1 wrote: »
    Thanks for your help everyone. I'm not a huge fan of watches but as I will be needing to wear my fitbit one that works as a watch seems sensible. I do want the sleep tracking because my sleep is crap at best but also as I work night shift (the joys of nursing) it would be helpful for me. Stair tracking is needed as well as I take the stairs as much as possible (except when escorting a patient). I am thinking of either the Blaze or Charge HR2 as my main one and the Alta HR as my secondary - when im at home doing my "home circuit". It goes without saying I do want my steps tracked and if I do get back to swimming later this year I may look into one that is waterproof (there is one in the FitBit range that is but has no screen etc just dots).

    I did some checking myself and chose the Charge 2 over the blaze for a couple of reasons.

    Blaze was too big and it was 100$ more for on screen workouts and music control...yah no. Who uses those on screen workouts. I feel fitbit wants something that looks like an apple watch and this was their answer...

    The charge does everything the blaze does except those two things mentioned....

    I recently purchased the flex too..for the summer sports in the water such as kayaking etc.
  • trevorw52
    trevorw52 Posts: 48 Member
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    only the fitbit flex 2 is waterproof.and that has no display. Garmin has waterproof fitness trackers and theres a couple of others .As i said before know what you to track and buy accordingly
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    trevorw52 wrote: »
    only the fitbit flex 2 is waterproof.and that has no display. Garmin has waterproof fitness trackers and theres a couple of others .As i said before know what you to track and buy accordingly

    it's not waterproof actually...it's swim proof meaning it is water resistant not waterproof.

    It does have a "form" of display. From text notifications, to reminders to move etc with their lights etc.

    I will say this as well...people will not find one that does everything they want...just is not going to happen.
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
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    I love love love my charge 2. I got it at a great price, I love the removable bands, and for me it is extremely accurate. I do wish it was water proof, but that is a small thing I am willing to give up. I currently dont have anywhere to swim anyways, when I do, I might look into another type of fitness band. I dont think you can go wrong with the charge 2 honestly.
  • MoveitlikeManda
    MoveitlikeManda Posts: 846 Member
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    i got the felx 2 to track swims,

    I love it, is accurate on steps and swim tracking.
    only problem I have is that when pushing the pushchair i have to put it in my pocket as it tracks as a bike ride lol
    I dont mind not having the screen, the dots tell me how Im doing with my step goal and I like the app on my phone to see everything
  • thatnerdydude
    thatnerdydude Posts: 11 Member
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    Ive had 3 fitbits over the past couple years.. I currently wear the charge 2 and LOVE IT .. I rely on the heart rate measurements and step tracking when im running and / or in the gym quite heavily
  • AliciaRenee1
    AliciaRenee1 Posts: 21 Member
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    I have been reading there are a lot of issues with the sleep tracker on the Charge 2, how have you found it? @thatnerdydude
  • boshofftanya4
    boshofftanya4 Posts: 1 Member
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    Charge 2 is the best! Very accurate and gives you all the info you need.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    AliciaRenee1 wrote: »
    I have been reading there are a lot of issues with the sleep tracker on the Charge 2, how have you found it? @thatnerdydude

    I have a charge 2 and the sleep feature is great...it took a while to get the rem part rolled out but that's fine.
  • AliciaRenee1
    AliciaRenee1 Posts: 21 Member
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    So I bought the Charge 2 (lucky me there was a huge special that brought it down from $248 to $159) and finally got a new scale (not a FitBit one but one that does still work out body composition). Finally figured out the set-up with my laptop and will sync it with my phone tomorrow. Thanks for your advice everyone! I am kinda glad i didn't get the Blaze as even though i'm "fat" my wrist and lower arms aren't so it would of looked big, chunky and out of place on me, even the Charge 2 is taking some getting used to as the only thing I have worn on my wrist for years is my MedicAlert bracelet. I am thinking I may need to get a One or Zip for work with Infection Control etc etc but I am a happy customer for now.
  • thatnerdydude
    thatnerdydude Posts: 11 Member
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    AliciaRenee1 wrote: »
    I have been reading there are a lot of issues with the sleep tracker on the Charge 2, how have you found it? @thatnerdydude

    TBH I have sleep apnea and just started using a CPAP .. The CPAP has its OWN sleep tracking app with data I find MUCH more valuable than what the fitbit reports. That whole breathing thing is kinda important ya know ! :-D

  • AliciaRenee1
    AliciaRenee1 Posts: 21 Member
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    thatnerdydude wrote: »
    TBH I have sleep apnea and just started using a CPAP .. The CPAP has its OWN sleep tracking app with data I find MUCH more valuable than what the fitbit reports. That whole breathing thing is kinda important ya know ! :-D

    I am actually having a sleep study done next Wednesday night. I don't think I have sleep apnoea just poor quality sleep and issues getting to sleep related to PTSD induced insomnia. I do talk in my sleep (hilarious for anyone around including my 13yr old) and snore at times however that also seems to be when I have a sinus issue. Oh well will find out in a week!

    I didn't tolerate CPAP well in ICU in March when they switched me from BiPAP to CPAP (severe asthma) so I do hope that I don't need CPAP :(

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