Fitbit (And Similar products)

AZ_Danny

So I almost bought a Jawbone UP because I'm worried that my sleep patterns may be part of the reason to blame for my lack of motivation to be active (always tired even though I "sleep" 7-8 hours every night. I figured that's what set it apart from just buying a pedometer.

So I look on amazon to look at reviews and they are HORRIBLE (like an overwhelming majority of 1-star reviews; all saying it stopped working in a matter of days/weeks) so I looked for an alternative.

I see Fitbit, which costs less and looks like it does a little less, but it still tracks what you eat, your activity, and your sleep; so I figured it may be a valid alternative. The reviews are better. A lot of 5 and 4 star reviews... but still a disturbing number of 1-star reviews.

Is anybody using Fitbit, Jawbone UP, or a similar product? Did you in the past and you are not now? Please share with me if it's worth the investment and potential head ache. Thanks.

Kitship

I absolutely love my fitbit. I have never had a Jawbone so can't comment on that. All I know is that the Fitbit has been extremely motivational and reliable. I also lost my Fitbit shortly after purchasing it, and Fitbit sent me a new one free of charge. They have awesome customer service. Good luck!

dvogel20

I use the fitbit zip - the one that does not track sleep - and I love it. It really keeps me motivated, and I linked it up with myfitnesspal so I can eat a little more if I exercise. I've lost 15 lbs since I combined fitbit with myfitnesspal near the end of January. I see no value in tracking my sleep, but I know people who have the wrist band and they all seem to like it.

rosevalleygirl23

I use a fitbit one. I would have to say that the company seems to stand by their product and easy to deal with when you have a problem. The clip for mine broke and they replaced it immediately.

I don't use it for sleep tracking regularly, but I guess it could give you a rough idea if that's an issue.

Do you have health insurance? Can you get a sleep study done?

vdcalvert

I use a Fitbit One (for about two months) and my wife uses the Force (for about a month). I prefer the One since I just put it in my pocket during the day and wear on my wrist at night. My wife gets irritated a little with the force since you need to be moving your arms for it to capture "steps". She makes me push the cart in stores and hold the dog's leash when walking, now. I like them and haven't had any problems, but we haven't had them long. There have been issues with it syncing with MFP, but that's just a minor annoyance. I like that it gives me goals to shoot for and does the tracking for me. I think the sleep data is decent, but if you're that concerned, go to the doc and get a sleep study. I found out last year that I have severe central sleep apnea. No obstruction - the brain just forgets to breathe. Have a CPAP now and sleep better than I have for a long time. My opinion is to get the One and also get a sleep study. Good luck.

Also, if you get the One, the velcro on the wrist band is not the strongest and I had issues with it coming off at night. My solution is to wear a rubber bracelet (like the Livestrong things) over the strap they give you. No issues since.

H0neybug

I purchased a fitbit flex the first of the year. It was a glorified pedometer that cost $100. It wasn't very good at syncing. It did not calculate my calorie burn based on my activity...it couldn't even tell if I was walking up stairs or level ground.

What I was looking for was something that would give me accurate calorie burn rates based on my heart rate during an activity. It's easy to log the standard 60 minutes of "zumba", but my zumba is not as dancey and more kickboxing, but I guess I'll never know.

It seems that the technology should be there. I have a Sportline watch that takes my heart rate, it just doesn't calculate it into calories burned.

AZ_Danny

Was just recently able to purchase health insurance thanks to the ACA (not to be too political, but I definitely have benefited from it) and am just starting to tackle issues with energy/weight loss. In fact, in a bit I'm going to the clinic to enroll in their weight loss program.

MusicDreamsThoughts

In my opinion..
FitBit is one of the BEST companion's to assist you on your new lifestyle change.

It's well worth it

AZ_Danny

I use a fitbit one. I would have to say that the company seems to stand by their product and easy to deal with when you have a problem. The clip for mine broke and they replaced it immediately.

I don't use it for sleep tracking regularly, but I guess it could give you a rough idea if that's an issue.

Do you have health insurance? Can you get a sleep study done?

Thought I hit the "quote" button.... anyway, last reply was directed towards you lol

jesiann2014

I have the Firbit Zip and LOVE it! I'm determined to get in at least 10,000 steps a day, most days more. Syncs with mfp and it's just satisfying to see those cals burned!

suttercm

I've had the Fitbit Force since December and love it! I especially like the sleep tracking as I have a hard time sleeping through the night. I'll be able to take the sleep records with me to the doc to see what alternative we can look into.

Aello11

ok - tech geek here --- I have used the up, fitbit flex and a Basis watch all work relatively well. The biggest difference I noticed is the Basis only starts counting steps if you actually are walking (trips to the kitchen doesn't add steps) - which I kind of like tells me how much I am actually doing continously. Sleep patterns all three of these "track" but the fitbit and up are monitoring arm movement, while the Basis says it is also looking at skin temp and HR to detemine when you are asleep. All are a bit pricey, but I really like the Basis.

EreborsPrincess

I use the fitbit zip - the one that does not track sleep - and I love it. It really keeps me motivated, and I linked it up with myfitnesspal so I can eat a little more if I exercise. I've lost 15 lbs since I combined fitbit with myfitnesspal near the end of January. I see no value in tracking my sleep, but I know people who have the wrist band and they all seem to like it.

I'm getting the Zip this afternoon - glad to hear you like it and that it's a good motivator.

ythannah

I have the Fitbit flex wristband, primarily for tracking sleep, because my quality of sleep has gone for *kitten* since perimenopause.

I will say I've never been able to get it to start and stop a sleep record by tapping on it, which you're supposed to be able to do. I just note the time I went to bed and input that into the log manually the next morning, along with the time I got up.

I'd say it's pretty accurate. It shows me waking up during the night more frequently when the SO is home than when I'm alone, which is exactly what happens.

In an odd kind of way, it's also kinda interesting to see exactly what time I get up to pee in the night, because there will be a log of the steps. Lol.

tbucks

I have used the jawbone up and currently use the fitbit one.

I like the fitbit one because you don't have to wear a bracelet all day.

It fits nice in the coin pocket of my jeans, and then I clip it to the pocket of my workout shorts. It tracks sleep too, it comes with a wristband to put it in for sleep, but I just put it in the pocket of my basketball shorts I sleep in.

Rerun201

I use a FitBit Flex. Both my wife and I like them. I prefer to use MFP to track my eating over FitBit. My primary use for a FitBit is I establish a minimum activity level and the FitBit helps me maintain that. FitBit does track sleep patterns fairly well, too.

My wife had to send her FitBit back for a replacement as the battery would no longer charge. No issue with the exchange at all. I've had mine for about 6 months with no troubles at all. It was easy to set up on the site and on my iPhone 4s. Ignore the remarks about the strap being hard to fasten; that clears up once you get used to it in a matter of a few uses. I have had times when I've managed to snag the strap on a cuff or sleeve and it has come undone, but it is noticeable and I refasten it immediately.

I recommend it at this time as it does what it says it does and for a decent price.

That being said, if you have an iPhone 5, you might want to check out the Pebble Smartwatch. There is an app for it that will do almost everything (if not everything) the FitBit will do. This app (the name eludes me at the present) may also be available for Android. Not sure if you get the web support with the app or not; as I have a 4s and the app is specifically designed to take advantage of the new features in the 5, I've not done too much looking into it.

Asheea

I use the fitbit zip - the one that does not track sleep - and I love it. It really keeps me motivated, and I linked it up with myfitnesspal so I can eat a little more if I exercise. I've lost 15 lbs since I combined fitbit with myfitnesspal near the end of January. I see no value in tracking my sleep, but I know people who have the wrist band and they all seem to like it.

Ditto!! Love my Zip and I "never leave home without it." I get up 3-4 x's a night to pee so the sleep tracker doesn't appeal to me at all. I already know how many times I wake up I don't need a gadget to tell me that.

If it floats your boat then go for it! Fitbit is one of the best! You won't be sorry with them.

seattlerain

I purchased a fitbit flex the first of the year. It was a glorified pedometer that cost $100. It wasn't very good at syncing. It did not calculate my calorie burn based on my activity...it couldn't even tell if I was walking up stairs or level ground.

What I was looking for was something that would give me accurate calorie burn rates based on my heart rate during an activity. It's easy to log the standard 60 minutes of "zumba", but my zumba is not as dancey and more kickboxing, but I guess I'll never know.

It seems that the technology should be there. I have a Sportline watch that takes my heart rate, it just doesn't calculate it into calories burned.

Agreed.

I returned my fitbit the week I purchased it off of Amazon. Not what I was looking for. I use a Polar HRM, and my BF uses a Bodymedia which is pretty awesome with tracking sleep and daily activity.

audram420

I have not read through all replies, but have you guys seen the Garmin Vivofit activity tracker with HR monitor...I just bought it after comparing it to the polar loop and the fitbit!!

jadethief

I use a Body Media Fit. It's great at tracking your sleep. I've discovered that I get more actual sleep when I go to bed early and get up early (say 9 pm to 5 am) than if I go to bed late and get up later (say, midnight to 8 am). There is a monthly subscription fee ($7) but for me it is well worth it.

knra_grl

I have a Polar Loop - I am happy with it but I also don't track my sleep with it so not sure how it rates that way?

Kekibird

I had the original Jawbone and it worked ok. Then my husband got me the newest one, UP 24 and it never synced. We took it back. Now I have a polar loop. The sleep function isn't I rely on because it doesn't seem very accurate.

silverraiyne

I use the Polar Loop paired with the Polar H7 Bluetooth HRM -- for just the two together using Flow app, I'm happy with it. But kinda bummed because I was led to believe that the H7 HRM also synced with apps like RunKeeper & Runtastic. Apparently they do but not on an Android. But also misleading because reviews say it works with Android 4.3 & higher, I'm running 4.4 on Samsung Galaxy Note 3 -- I just got a software update to KitKat -- maybe now it will work, fingers crossed.

Ataraxia81

I have one of the first generation Fitbit's. I've had it since spring of 2011 and absolutely love it! Mine clips to my pocket. It helps push me to do more steps and the website it a great tool as well. I even purchased Fitbit's scale. I recommend it for sure if you want a good sturdy pedometer.

WaterBunnie

I'd definitely buy my FitBit One again if I had my time again. Takes all of the guesswork out of your activity level here and stops you assuming you've done more than you have! I don't wear it at night because my sleep efficiency averaged at about 96% over the few occasions I did but even without needing the sleep function its a much nicer device to use than the Zip. Things like counting your flights of stairs, a lit display and being rechargeable make it worth the extra money and it's so discreet.

ginamisa

I have a fitbit...but am told that the Basis has the technology to track your heartrate and steps and intensity of the workout... it's just a big bulky thing right now..but wearable tech is the new big thing... so am expecting it to improve. But if you don't mind the bigness of it... might be a good option.

jenniferpriggs

I have used a FitBit for over 3 years and I absolutely love it. I have used it for logging all my food, exercise, and sleep (used to, not logging sleep anymore) and I couldn't be happier. I only joined MFP this week to try out the food logging and see if I like it better. So far I'm still a little iffy, but I'm giving it a solid week to get the hang of it before I decide.

And to the previous poster, it does recalculate your calories for the day based on your activity level. I have mine currently set to lose a pound per week, and it updates throughout the day with how many calories I have left based on 1) how many calories I've burned so far that day, plus 2) how many calories it thinks I will burn the rest of the day based on my history. Something like "750 calories left out of your 1400 calorie food plan for today", which means at that moment it expects I'll have a 1900 calorie burn by the end of the day. If I go for a run, it will change it to "1000 calories left out of 1650 for today" because now it calculates I'll burn 2150.

ginamisa

I got my fitbit back round Oct I believe after my old school pedometer died and am loving it... I have the fitibit 1. I clip it to my bra or my pjs at night and I love that it syncs with computer and helps track my activity during the day... for me I'm just beginning down the road of fitness...so wearing it..first gave me a baseline of how inactive I was and then I pushed myself to my goal of 10k steps per day...I don't always hit it all the time..but with the help of my fitbit community that helped motivate me when I was almost there but just missing the mark...someone there would send me a message to encourage me that I'm almost there...c'mon you can do it... or you're doing awesome.. or dude.. just 5k more steps and you going be in the top 5 and only one of 2 females on my friend's list. The small kine competition and encouragement and esp the accountability that I can see how many steps I get and how I'm trending for the week, month etc... helps me push to reach my 10k daily or 70k steps in a week. I know when I start really working out and have need of a heartrate monitor...I will get one that will track my activity, sleep, and heartrate...but it's going to be some time before I'm at that point and I'm sure the technology will be even better than it is now... since wearable tech is getting to be a big thing now....I want something easily worn every day, inconspicuous or cute... haha :-)

Oh....yah... one more big thing... is because I paid $$ for it... I've been more driven to use it...versus if I just paid $5bucks for it... I got it a discounted price on ebay...but still I'm the kind of person that gotta make use of it cause I paid so much for it than I would've a traditional pedometer....plus my hubby said Wha....Really? I don't mind you getting it BUT you better make use of it if you going spend the money on it. haha , so yah... even more driven to make this work... so far sooo good.. results are starting to come now. :-)

Quasita

I have a BodyMedia Fit Link. Within 2 weeks of following the burns it registered for my calories instead of MFP or a regular pedometer, I started dropping 3-6 pounds a week (I'm very heavy... this was after my "honeymoon" water loss too)

I have absolutely never regretted the purchase! It has helped a lot, showing my sleep patterns. The graphing it does is spot on for my activity during the day, and I really really like the fact that it measures your personal TDEE for you. It does start using the standard calculations, but then it averages over the time you wear it to give you a tailored idea.

Now, it can be more expensive, and does have a small subscription, but it is 100% worth the investment if you ask me... And if you need to save your money, you can just stop the payments (it's like 6 bucks but we all struggle) and start up again without losing any data.
The Fit Link syncs with a smart phone, but you can get the other model and a watch if you prefer. I just figure if you're going to drop over $100, you might as well get the tech that tracks absolutely everything.

pholbert

I use a body media fit also. I have had it for about 2 years. Check it out. It does track sleep. I really love mine.

Quasita

I use a body media fit also. I have had it for about 2 years. Check it out. It does track sleep. I really love mine.

Bonus! I was just about to list what it tracks...

Steps
Activity and intensity of activity
Sleep
Laying down/rest
Calorie burns in real time using sweat, body temp, and activity to calculate

The program has workout coaching tech, a media player, ability to link with MFP, scales, many fitness challenge/money making sites, has a diet planner, allows you to track "high scores" for good healthy activity, and has extensive graphing to help you visualize it all. There's a lot, but those are the highlights at least.

If you're nerdy like me, and like mining the data... it's perfect.

One thing to keep in mind is that FitBit, while great for some, will not give you accurate TDEE estimations, nor will it give accurate burns for someone over 100lbs overweight. I know this because the standard calculators it uses are not intended for the extremely heavy. Granted, it helps a lot of people get more active, but I think most people who need more accuracy end up graduating to options with more details.

For me, I figured I'd just bypass the starter kit that Fitbit struck me to be, and go for the big cahuna... and like I said, have zero regrets.

Whatever you choose, I hope you use it well and get your money's worth!