What is required for a FitBit?

ChristyP0303

I have considered getting a FitBit but looking at their website, I am confused. Looks like the FitBit itself is $99. Do you also have to buy a band for an additional $99? Is there a monthly subscription also required?

Krisnicole22242

I assume your talking about the fit bit flex? If so it comes with the tracker and two bands (small and large) for the one price. It does not require a monthly subscription., I think they offer something like a personal trainer subscription but its not needed to use the fitbit

Texgal9816

I have a FitBit One. In the box came the wrist band (for sleeping) and the clip to go on your clothes. The Fitbit Dashboard is free and can link to MFP but they also have an upgraded version which $. Over all if you use the basic things its free (other than the 99 dollars)

Bootjockey

Hi Here,

It sounds to me like what your asking is: "If I buy a FitBit, do I need to buy anything else to make it work with MFP?"

My experience is with the FitBit One.

With the FitBit One, you do not. It CAN sync to an iPhone or Android, and you CAN subscribe to a package from FitBit.com, but, you don't NEED either.

When you buy a FitBit One, you get:

The FitBit One
A dongle to plug into the PC in a USB port. This provides both syncing and charging functions.
A dongle to plug into the PC to provide wireless connectivity to the FitBit One. So you don't have to actually plug it in to the dongle to sync it. Just wear it nearby, and it syncs automatically.
The FitBit One also does sync to an iPhone using Bluetooth, or an Android phone (also BT). It does NOT require it. At least one of the models of the FitBit does REQUIRE that, I think, but, not the One.

So, I bought my FitBit One, and never bought anything else. I use it with MFP and FitBit.com's website, without any subscription fees.

I do sync it to an iPhone, but, it's my work phone, and if/when I have to give that up, it won't affect my use of the FitBit One any.

I find my FitBit One an invaluable tool. I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone.

I hope this helps!

-David / BootJockey
-257 pounds

lynty2

Bump

shadow2soul

Francl27

Check amazon though, I got the one for $89 there a few weeks ago.

ChristyP0303

I have a FitBit One. In the box came the wrist band (for sleeping) and the clip to go on your clothes. The Fitbit Dashboard is free and can link to MFP but they also have an upgraded version which $. Over all if you use the basic things its free (other than the 99 dollars)

I was looking at the FitBit One. I was on their website and it looks like there is some kind of band you can purchase for an additional $99. I'm assuming for it to calulate your calories and such, it will need to know your heartrate? How does it do this just from being strapped on your clothes?

shadow2soul

I have a FitBit One. In the box came the wrist band (for sleeping) and the clip to go on your clothes. The Fitbit Dashboard is free and can link to MFP but they also have an upgraded version which $. Over all if you use the basic things its free (other than the 99 dollars)

I was looking at the FitBit One. I was on their website and it looks like there is some kind of band you can purchase for an additional $99. I'm assuming for it to calulate your calories and such, it will need to know your heartrate? How does it does this just from being strapped on your clothes?

It doesn't monitor heart rate.

Your tracker and Dashboard show an estimated number of calories burned for that day based on your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), which we calculate using the height, weight, age, and gender information you provided us with when you set up your Fitbit account.

When you sync your tracker, Fitbit replaces your estimated calorie burn with your tracker's data. If you manually log activities, the calories burned by doing those will be taken into account as well.

When you haven't synced your device or logged any activities, Fitbit tries to guess how many calories you have burned if you got out of bed, got dressed, went to your day job, came home, and did nothing much more than walk to your car.

Once you start logging activities, Fitbit stops estimating and uses the data you've provided instead. The more you wear your tracker, the more accurate your calorie burn data will be.

In other words, it's :

estimated BMR (based on height, age, weight and gender)
+
daily activity (steps taken and how fast they were taken)
+
Logged exercise (anything other than walking/jogging)
=
calories reported by fitbit

example:

estimated BMR: 1536
+
daily activity : 309
+
logged exercise: 0
=
1845 calories for the day


As for the band, are you sure you weren't looking at the Fitbit Flex. The only things on fitbit's website that they charge $99 for are two of the fitbit models (One and Flex). They also come with everything you need.

ChristyP0303

Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks for the help!