Fitbit or Bodybugg?

I have read a little about both, and I do like the simplicity of the Fitbit Flex band, but I like the overall functionality of the Bodybugg system. But, I'd like to know some of your personal experiences with these items, especially if you've used both. Thanks!

Bodybugg http://my.apexfitness.com/vip/bb_enrollment_info_public.php

Fitbit Flex http://www.fitbit.com/flex

Replies

justformel

I have used them both. Years ago, wore the body bugg when it was first out, loved it! Then stopped and started again in the spring time this year, but then it was almost summer, so switched to the fitbit. I loved the tracking, miles, steps, floors, but I never trusted the calorie burn like with the BB. I ended up losing it one night, so went ahead and bought the new body media LINK, so now I can upload my burns whenever I want through blue tooth. :happy:

If you do other activities besides walking/running, I would go with the body media. You will like the reports it gives.

mzenzer

I have used them both. Years ago, wore the body bugg when it was first out, loved it! Then stopped and started again in the spring time this year, but then it was almost summer, so switched to the fitbit. I loved the tracking, miles, steps, floors, but I never trusted the calorie burn like with the BB. I ended up losing it one night, so went ahead and bought the new body media LINK, so now I can upload my burns whenever I want through blue tooth. :happy:

If you do other activities besides walking/running, I would go with the body media. You will like the reports it gives.

Thanks. Part of the attraction of the fitbit flex is the price and slim design, wake up feature, stuff like that. So with the Body Media is it a constant real time feed via bluetooth/wireless to a smartphone?

justformel

I wouldn't call it constant, like you can't open the app and have it be updated. You have to connect it to bluetooth, then go into app and upload. In total it takes less than a minute to do this. Some of the reviews said the battery wears down fast doing this, but I wore mine for a week before it died and I upload multiple times a day.

Amazon sells them for $117, but if you live near a Best Buy store, print off the screen from Amazon showing $117 and they will price match it, so you don't have to pay the $150 and you get it right away instead of waiting for shipping.

I geeked out for a few months and took what I ate vs what I burned and came up with "what I should have lost" vs what my scale had said over those 12 wks. It was less than a pound off. That gave me the trust in the numbers it is telling me I am burning and trusting my tracking abilities.

Back when I first wore the body bugg to the gym, many years ago, I had gotten some looks, questions, but now its so common, no one even blinks at it.

mzenzer

I wouldn't call it constant, like you can't open the app and have it be updated. You have to connect it to bluetooth, then go into app and upload. In total it takes less than a minute to do this. Some of the reviews said the battery wears down fast doing this, but I wore mine for a week before it died and I upload multiple times a day.

Amazon sells them for $117, but if you live near a Best Buy store, print off the screen from Amazon showing $117 and they will price match it, so you don't have to pay the $150 and you get it right away instead of waiting for shipping.

I geeked out for a few months and took what I ate vs what I burned and came up with "what I should have lost" vs what my scale had said over those 12 wks. It was less than a pound off. That gave me the trust in the numbers it is telling me I am burning and trusting my tracking abilities.

Back when I first wore the body bugg to the gym, many years ago, I had gotten some looks, questions, but now its so common, no one even blinks at it.

Great input thank you!

jenluvsushi

I used a body fit media for a long time. I think it has way better features than either of the two you mentioned. Once I was able to figure out what I was burning, I was able to stop wearing it as it got old having it on my arm all the time. It did motivate me to move more for sure. There are lots of online side by side comparison reviews of each and I would strongly recommend you google them to pick whats best for you.

NoExcuuuses

I love my fitbit ..

michael1976_ca

bump

Babygi6003

Awesome input! I am thinking about getting one also

wildrose53

I love my fitbit!

mzenzer

So to the two that responded they love their fitbit, what is it specifically you love? The whole package or is their one aspect of it you really like?

SJCon

Used both and love my Bodymedia link and will never go back to the Fitbit but I am looking at the polar loop as another choice.. The size and versatility of the FB is great but also cause it to be lost or washed a lot. The BMF is not very flexible for position and although you get used to it you are aware it is there when the elastic stretches a little. Oddly I find this as a comforting reminder that I want to lose weight. The BMF allowed me to establish a "true" TDEE which was a good 400 to 500 calories more than FB was reporting. That is about 30% of my daily allowance and so I struggled and than binged as such I was maintaining but not losing. Now with the BMF I am losing my 2 pounds a week very easily and consistently. The only complaints on the Bodymedia is that it is not waterproof and the armband can get uncomfortable when you are two sweaty, however once you know your burn you can take it off periodically and input the numbers manually. If I was a female I may object to it being so obvious and a fashion impact but it doesn't bother me as a guy. Maybe this month BodyMedia will come out with the new version that is waterproof and smaller but it is several months late now. The cost of the web connection is also a negative, but about the cost of an annual FB replacement due to loss.
If you just want something that deals with activity level day to day than the FB is the way to go but if you want something to contribute to your calorie burn and activity accuracy as much as possible now, than the BMF is the way to go.
The "Polar Loop is due out this month and it will act as an activity tracker like the FB and calculate calories BUT also marry up to a separate Chest strap to give you HRM tie in for exercises that FB and other trackers fail at, it is waterproof and can be used when swimming. I have compared my HRM to my BMF calories burned when doing the Elliptical and Treadmill and they are within about 2% so I no longer wear my HRM.

mzenzer

Used both and love my Bodymedia link and will never go back to the Fitbit but I am looking at the polar loop as another choice.. The size and versatility of the FB is great but also cause it to be lost or washed a lot. The BMF is not very flexible for position and although you get used to it you are aware it is there when the elastic stretches a little. Oddly I find this as a comforting reminder that I want to lose weight. The BMF allowed me to establish a "true" TDEE which was a good 400 to 500 calories more than FB was reporting. That is about 30% of my daily allowance and so I struggled and than binged as such I was maintaining but not losing. Now with the BMF I am losing my 2 pounds a week very easily and consistently. The only complaints on the Bodymedia is that it is not waterproof and the armband can get uncomfortable when you are two sweaty, however once you know your burn you can take it off periodically and input the numbers manually. If I was a female I may object to it being so obvious and a fashion impact but it doesn't bother me as a guy. Maybe this month BodyMedia will come out with the new version that is waterproof and smaller but it is several months late now. The cost of the web connection is also a negative, but about the cost of an annual FB replacement due to loss.
If you just want something that deals with activity level day to day than the FB is the way to go but if you want something to contribute to your calorie burn and activity accuracy as much as possible now, than the BMF is the way to go.
The "Polar Loop is due out this month and it will act as an activity tracker like the FB and calculate calories BUT also marry up to a separate Chest strap to give you HRM tie in for exercises that FB and other trackers fail at, it is waterproof and can be used when swimming. I have compared my HRM to my BMF calories burned when doing the Elliptical and Treadmill and they are within about 2% so I no longer wear my HRM.

Interesting thanks. I have read so much on both and I can say it's about 50/50 for or against either. The only negative I have heard about the fitbit is that some think it's a bit off, and the BFM is that it's a little cumbersome and not waterproof. Frankly I think I might get both, because I need something for my wife and I, but she is a nurse and it can't be in the way, and as you pointed out, women also may have a fashion issue with the BFM at times, Still thinking but great info everyone thanks!

qtgonewild

ive had the flex for about 8 days. my favorite feature is the wake up alarm. its so much more peaceful to wakeup to a vibration vs music from my phone alarm.

mamarundrc

I have the fitbit flex and I like it. I wear it all the time. I don't use it as much to "adjust" my calories for the day. For me it is a knowledge is power. It is nice to be able to judge my activity level. I do get quite a few "false" steps, especially at home. I have a 6 month old and if I rock him in the chair or bounce him in my arms, it does get counted as steps. If you are looking for something with extensive capabilities it might not be right for you, I would never rely on it solely for calorie adjustment. If you are looking for it as a for information only purpose, it is relatively inexpensive and looks kind of cool and once you get used to it, you hardly realize it is there.

exmsde

The market for fitness devices has become a bit like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. No doubt a year from now it will look vastly different from today.

I'm a fan of the Fitbit and think it is a fantastic device for those getting started on a fitness program, particularly one that is walking-centric. The more serious one gets about different activities the more other devices might become more useful than the Fitbit.

I have a Fitbit One and chose that over the Flex for two reasons. One was that I wanted a display. I carry a Nokia Lumia Windows Phone and right now nothing will sync with it. With the One I can check the display and then sync with a PC when I get home. With the Flex there is no way to see what you are doing until you can sync. Many other devices, and I haven't checked out the BB, don't even have PC sync. You must have an iPhone or (specific model) Android phone to sync at all. So they don't work for me. The other reason for the One over the Flex is that the One has an Altimeter for counting floors (ie, walking up stairs). When I travel I use that as a primary form of exercise (I.e., I'll walk up and down the staircase in the hotel). But the One is easier to leave on your clothing and ruin via washing while the Flex is both water-resistant and on your wrist. It's ok if you shower with it, etc.

Right now I'm pairing up my Fitbit One, Sportline Cardio Connect HRM, Runtastic, and my Lumia 1020 as a complete solution. I use Runtastic for all my outdoor activities and it can grab the information from the Sportline. Just starting to see if I can use that indoors as well.

My guess is that I'll be using completely different devices a year from now.

SJCon

Interesting thanks. I have read so much on both and I can say it's about 50/50 for or against either. The only negative I have heard about the fitbit is that some think it's a bit off, and the BFM is that it's a little cumbersome and not waterproof. Frankly I think I might get both, because I need something for my wife and I, but she is a nurse and it can't be in the way, and as you pointed out, women also may have a fashion issue with the BFM at times, Still thinking but great info everyone thanks!

Failed to point out the obvious maybe but the fitbit will not do more than a pedometer, it is certainly more accurate than the old pedometers and has a web feature but it will not capture effort in a lot of exercises like rowing, cycling, swimming, elliptical, etc. I am not even convinced it is accurate on a treadmill. So if you are a person that wants to quantify things than you will need a HRM as well. The Polar loop can be pre-ordered now for $99 at heartratemonitorsusa (SP?) and will ship by the end of the month. A chest strap is $64 and you can use the "Polar Beat" app with it as well. The app will map runs etc. This may be a better alternative for anyone that may be interested in a Fitbit. http://www.polarloop.com/us-en/

judyde

ive had the flex for about 8 days. my favorite feature is the wake up alarm. its so much more peaceful to wakeup to a vibration vs music from my phone alarm.

I'm thinking about the Fitbit Flex! I love that it is worn all the time, and it seems (from comments on amazon) that you can wear it while swimming! The video shows people in the rain wearing it.

I was thinking it would be my 50 pound loss reward. I'm down 27 pounds and at my pace of 1 lb per week, I won't be there by then. So next I'm looking at my birthday, 3/8. It's 21 weeks til 3/1 (when I'd have to order it) and then I'd be at 48 pounds lost. I am not going to order it until I'm actually down 50 pounds! So I'll see how it goes. Maybe it will be a Mother's Day gift. :-)

ChasingKatie

I had a fitbit, went to a bodymedia, went back to the fitbit. The bodymedia gives good data, but I really hated wearing it and they charge a monthly fee to use their website.

VegasFit

I had the Bodymedia and Bodybugg and I loved them and the accuracy. When I tracked correctly I lost weight accordingly. My only issue is the discreetness and the monthly fee. I just ordered the Loop and I'm excited to try that.

ChantalD75

I have the fitbit one... LOVE IT!!!

SlvrLyssa

I have an ultra fitbit which I like ok, it can get lost sometimes in my cloths if I forget to take it off. But I keep finding it thank goodness! I was curious about the flex, since it's water proof and mine is about to break in two. I'm not sure how accurate it is, though yesterday I walked on the treadmill and it gave me about the same calorie burn as the machine said. I mostly like the reminder and am not really interested in a monthly charge for the BB or BM. I will look up the Loop though, I hadn't heard of that before.