Your opinion on fitness devices

I am looking to get a device to help keep track of my fitness/activity. In your opinion, what is the best to get, that fill the most requirements i.e. calories, pedometer, heart rate etc? And is the Fitbit Force any good? Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Replies

  • _runbitchrun
    _runbitchrun Posts: 205 Member
    I am in the market for one as well.
    My dad got me a 'Sync' for christmas, and it counted steps and how many calories you lost.
    I wanted one that worked with any work out, so I want a HRM.
    I'm looking to get a Polar- Its a watch, it tracks for running (certain ones) and has the chest band to tell you how many calories you've burned.
  • stephierue
    stephierue Posts: 110 Member
    Polar Heart Rate Monitors. I love mine & have only ever heard other people say the same! There's several models. Simple is best IMO.
  • Melionfire
    Melionfire Posts: 343 Member
    I have the force and love it because I get a good idea of how active I am throughout the whole day and it really motivates me to move more however I also use a heart monitor to get a better estimate for the calories burned during my workouts. The fitbit is also fun because it syncs to Mfp and will add calories on the days you are more active.
  • reicherfamily
    reicherfamily Posts: 10 Member
    Melionfire, the Force doesn't monitor your heart rate during workouts?

    Thank you all for your responses.
  • Blokeypoo
    Blokeypoo Posts: 274 Member
    Hi. I have had a Fitbit One since starting maintenance in Feb 2012 and fully credit it for maintaining for the first time at age 46 having dieted all my adult life. I love it.

    I didn't want an HRM for exercise periods, I wanted a device I could wear all the time which would encourage me to increase activity across the board (horses for courses!) and it does just that. As a nurse I also needed one not on the wrist.

    If I plan my food on MFP the night before (links with my Fitbit) where I have set my cals at sedentary then the Fitbit app/website tells me to get moving to earn what I want to eat - perfect!

    I lost my wt on Biggest Loser site but came here when subscription ended. I run MFP and Fitbit in parallel (I like comparison/research/data!) and they are rarely more than 50 cals apart at end of each 24hr period (I lean towards Fitbit when deciding how much more to eat as slightly less generous allowance but minimal difference really).

    Good luck!
  • I have a BodyMedia Core band. It tracks calories expended, works as a sleep monitor, etc. Drawback is that this one has to be plugged-in to download the data (which I do once a day or so.) There is a bluetooth model as well, and I have been planning to upgrade models in the future. That model gives you info in 'real-time' via your computer or smart phone. I have it set to sync with MFP and RunKeeper, of which it has done flawlessly. Battery life is at least 8 full days, as I never plugged it in on my most recent trip. No visual display, but one is available separately. To me, the sensitivity of the monitor outweighs that one drawback and it is not that difficult to take a pulse.

    Use of my band, as well as MFP has certainly been a support to my weight-loss goals.

    If you use this referral link and decide to purchase, it will give you 15% off: http://bodymedia.extole.com/m/1270648960