fitbit advice

wink212

I'm looking to purchase a fitbit but I want to get some opinions on it. Does if acurately count calories burned? How does if measure? I don't want it to just count steps. Does it measure, for example, plank work or crunches?

hurricanegirl13

It's a fancy pedometer. So, no, it doesn't count planks and crunches. A HRM would be more useful in that situation.

http://www.fitbit.com/product

codycsweet

It counts steps so any anaerobic move things walk, run, Zumba, etc. for me what my Fitbit zip has done is make me realize how little I was moving. Now I get up and move, I make conscious movement throughout the day like getting up and going to the printer several times at work instead of just once. Stretching my legs with a walk on my break, park a little farther away, today I went grocery shopping even though my hubby was supposed to go just so I could get my steps in.
Fitbit, HRM, and counting calories is all just a good estimation. My Fitbit and HRM for cardio stuff is pretty close to giving the same calorie burn. Personally I feel lost without my Fitbit now. I have been working out consistently since I got mine in June 2013 and that's a first that I have gone so long usually would make it in 3 month spurts.

There is also a Fitbit group in here if you want to research further

Edit. Fitbit has been the best invest I've made when it comes to fitness. Love it

WALKSMARATHONS

I'm looking to purchase a fitbit but I want to get some opinions on it. Does if acurately count calories burned? How does if measure? I don't want it to just count steps. Does it measure, for example, plank work or crunches?

The Fitbit contains the same accelerometer as the WII, in other words, a very good one. Fitbit is probably the best device of its kind on the market and I have been very happy with mine until it got broken. I am awaiting the Flex which I got free from cashing in Air Miles.

No accelerometer can possibly measure planks or crunches. They can only measure motion in any of 3 directions and they translate it into steps and/or calories burned. The energy used in a muscular contraction is beyond the scope of any device of known technology. Heart rate can give you an approximation of calories used but otherwise, only higher mathematics by the ilk of Einstein can hope to achieve your goal. Fitbit is probably the most accurate device of its kind when used within its limits.

KarenJanine

I'm looking to purchase a fitbit but I want to get some opinions on it. Does if acurately count calories burned? How does if measure? I don't want it to just count steps. Does it measure, for example, plank work or crunches?

If you want to count planks or crunches, probably the best tool for you would be the Body Media Fit. This is worn on the upper arm and responds to changes in body temperature to measure calorie burns.

Fitbit only counts steeping movement activities, although non-stepping activities, such as swimming or cycling, can be logged additionally in the same way as on MFP.

HRMs similarly are not useful for strength training or semi-static exercises such as planks, yoga etc as they are only designed to calculate calorie burns during steady state cardio, where the heart rate is elevated for a prolonged period.

wink212

Thanks so much for the advice! Think I'll go ahead and order one.