FitBit Flex...worth it?

ashleynburk

Has anybody gotten the FitBit Flex? How do you feel about it? I'm thinking about purchasing one when I reach a milestone (I'm thinking 35 or 40lbs but we'll see) but I want to know whether it's worth the money. Any thoughts?!

abs0830

I have one and love it. It syncs with MFP so it makes it a lot easier to use. I have a few connections on and it and we cheer each other and compete a bit to see who gets the most steps for the week. It's fun and keeps me motivated.

rconboy64

I love mine. I also use it to make sure I am sleeping enough which I tend not to do.

ruthejp13

There was an article in Forbes magazine about MFP making FITBIT and Jawbone UP obsolete. An IPhone 5S now tracks your steps. I returned my UP because its really just an expensive pedometer. You still need the heart rate monitor and have to add stuff that MFP already links with like Map My Walk, Ride or Run.
Ruth J Princess

tech_kitten

I just got mine, but I'll let you know how it goes!

teemama2

I have had mine since November and I love it. I just recently synced it with MFP because there were issues originally.

Family members own the other models of Fitbit but personally this was the one for me. It is easy to use and hard to misplace

Pipsg1rl

Half the fun is challenging other people.

If you have someone you know who is also getting one I recommend. otherwise...


I love the scale that FitBit has, the Aria. seriously I probably love it more than the Flex itself.

bluntlysally

for me, it IS worth EVERY PENNY. if you want a full picture, you also need a hrm.

ktsmom430

Well worth it! The very best motivator I have to make me move more.

rebasporty

^^^^ What she said!

nolabone

I love mine! I'm much more active than I previously thought, and it encourages me to be active on lazy days. Before, I would get food guilt when I went over my calorie goals. Turns out I was usually eating way under what I should have been, or was eating within maintenance. My Flex has helped me understand my body better.

scrapjen

I am a Fitbit fan ... and we are a Fitbit family (two of my boys, my parents, brothers and their wives). I've had mine for four years now (the Ultra, now the One). The Fitbit is so great for showing you feedback on your entire day, not just your workouts. I have a HRM too, and I like it, but it's not the same as the Fitbit. I did a blog post about all you can expect if you get one ... HTH *Ü*

http://jenbsjourney.blogspot.com/2013/08/wondering-about-fitbit.html

The Fitbit syncs with SO many programs. MFP and other reward type programs ... I've earned $$ from Pact, Achievemint and store credit at Walgreens and Kmart (FitStudio). My Fitbit has paid for itself!

Butrovich

Love mine, and it helps me to see how restful my sleep is at night.

acknan

I have the one and I LOVE it! I know people have had issues with the metal and allergies though on the wristbands. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to go with the clip on models. I adore mine and if anything ever happened to it, I would reorder within seconds!

GothyFaery

I have the zip and I love it. It wasn't as pricey as the Flex ($49) so that was nice but after having and using it for a couple of weeks, I kind of wish I had forked out the extra money for the One. I'm not really a fan of the way the Flex is always visable. The biggest differance between the Zip and the Flex/One is that it does not do floors climbed and it doesn't track sleep. Other than that it's pretty much the same. I like that the Zip uses a small battery that lasts for about 6 months over the Flex/One that needs to be recharged every week/other week.

I love my Zip and I wish I had got it sooner!

Pirate_chick

I use my Fitbit Flex for daily tracking, make sure I am burning at least the minimum. I use my Polar FT7 HRM when I exercise. Seems to be working nicely for me.

QuietBloom

Totally worth it.

rbn_held

Love my fitbit. Havent had the flex though. Had a ultra (liked it) and then upgraded to a force (hated it) and then downgraded to a zip (love it). It's small and I can put it just about anywhere and I don't have to charge it. Has a battery that you have to change every 3 months or so. I've had my zip for over a month and battery is still at full strength

Technolero

I have the Fitbit Force and love it. I've had it a few months now. It was eye opening to see how much I didn't move during the day. Now I have a reminder to keep going! The Force also counts stairs climbed too.

namacheri

Love my Flex. It's so awesome to feel the vibration that tells you you've done your 10,000 steps. I also like how it tracks your sleep. My husband always kidded me about "sleeping" for 9-10 hours. Turns out I only get about 6 hours because I'm restless or wake up many times a night. Now I guess I will have a sleep study done to figure out why.

sophiegrace543

I've just properly looked into a FitBit and it seems better for my lifestyle and cheaper than I first thought.
The Flex looks like the best idea because it is on your wrist but as a slightly vain young woman, I have to say that I don't particularly like the idea of wearing it all day...

sweetpea03b

I love getting that little vibration when I've hit my goal for the day I love mine... wear it everyday and feel naked without it. My only peeve is that lately I'm having charging issues and really wish the battery lasted longer than a week.

namacheri

But just think of all the neat color bands you can wear! I match my outfits.

dimple_gal

I am a Fitbit fan ... and we are a Fitbit family (two of my boys, my parents, brothers and their wives). I've had mine for four years now (the Ultra, now the One). The Fitbit is so great for showing you feedback on your entire day, not just your workouts. I have a HRM too, and I like it, but it's not the same as the Fitbit. I did a blog post about all you can expect if you get one ... HTH *Ü*

http://jenbsjourney.blogspot.com/2013/08/wondering-about-fitbit.html

The Fitbit syncs with SO many programs. MFP and other reward type programs ... I've earned $$ from Pact, Achievemint and store credit at Walgreens and Kmart (FitStudio). My Fitbit has paid for itself!

I didn't know there were rewards! I love my Fitbit Flex. It keeps me motivated to meet my daily goals. It doesn't track non-stepping exercise well, but it does work well with MFP too.

StaciMarie1974

I have the Fitbit One and love it. Fitbit + MFP is a great combination. With the Fitbit I have a way to measure and monitor how active I am in a day. And MFP is the best for logging food. They sync well together.

There are a few different Fitbits, and of course other brands of activity tracers out there. Before getting one, do your research based on what features appeal to you. The community/competition aspect of Fitbit is good. Also the accountability - everyone knows if I'm being a lazy bum!

MomTo3Lovez

I have been considering the fitbit flex as well, nice to see some reviews on it.

StaciMarie1974

Yes - there are many rewards sites.

The best is Pact - but its more of a commitment than a reward. You commit to doing a certain # of healthy activities per week.

Workouts: can commit to 1-7, for # of days of the week. Walking 10k+ steps with your Fitbit counts as a workout. Or doing a 30+ minute walk/run/etc. outdoors with a GPS app like MapMyWalk where you travel at least 1 mile in 30 minutes. There is a way to 'check in' for 30+ minutes at fitness clubs but I don't know how that works.

Logging food: syncs w/ MFP. You get credit for logging 3+ meals for 1200+ calories - so its encouraging you to eat enough and pay attention to detail. Can commit to 1-7, for # of days of the week.

Eating fruits/veggies: take a picture of what you're eating and members in the Pact community vote y/n if its a serving of f/v. You vote on others. Can commit for a max of 5 per day or 35 per week.

You set a value to each area, $5 or more. If you do not make your commitment you pay. (Must connect to Paypal or a credit card.) If you do make all your pacts, you get a share of the $ from those who did not.

I have a high goal - 6/6/30. I've always made it though there was a week that I was sick and getting 10k steps per day x 6 days was rough. It was before the option to do a 30 minute GPS tracked walk. I missed on Monday - so felt a bit of pressure. I don't like paying! Which is the idea. People will be motivated to avoid a penalty. I make $5-7 per week. If you committed to less pacts I imagine you'd get less $. You can withdraw to Paypal with a $10 minimum. I've withdrawn a few times - takes a week or so to get paid. When I signed up there was a promo code Gympact$5 for a bonus $5. NOt sure if it still works.

~~~~~~~~

Other thoughts. If you like the Flex but don't want to wear it ALL the time - you can put it in your pocket. A downside w/ the Flex in my opinion is it does not have a display. You can't look at it to see where you are in step count. If you have a compatible smart phone you can sync and see anytime. Or sync & look at fitbit.com. The One has a display. Charging is easy - I just put it on a charger when I'm in the shower. Typically I do this a few times each week, it never gets as low as 50% battery life.

I wear the One always - clipped to my pocket or waist area. I'd feel odd without it, like taking off a ring you always wear. Just wrong... I once got as far as the living room without it - just have to develop a habit to move it from one piece of clothing to another when you change clothes.

LadyWeaselofVT

I think it's worth it. I was really struggling with hunger and when I got the FitBit, I realized that I was more active than I thought. I also love the other features, like sleep tracking and silent alarm (it wakes me up without the obnoxious sound of a regular alarm clock).

mandamerlot

I love mine!! Especially because I have a group of fitness friends who also have one and we are always pushing each other (cheering, taunting) to get each other going and trying to beat each others steps It's a fantastic motivator!

nancy10272004

There was an article in Forbes magazine about MFP making FITBIT and Jawbone UP obsolete. An IPhone 5S now tracks your steps. I returned my UP because its really just an expensive pedometer. You still need the heart rate monitor and have to add stuff that MFP already links with like Map My Walk, Ride or Run.
Ruth J Princess

I tried these apps before I got my FitBit Flex and the two problems I had were that I had to carry my phone every danged second of the day and they drained the battery like crazy.

I can't say enough good things about my Flex. I'm not in any shape to do any exercise except walking and it's made a huge impact on the number of steps I do in a day.

One of the great things about it is the shame. I know that sounds weird but it shames me into walking to the next subway stop that's only four blocks away. It shames me into taking the stairs instead of taking the elevator one flight. Every little bit does indeed count!

sue_stef

I love mine! pretty much a repeat of what others said
it connects to MFP
and a number of reward sites
Pact is a big one
so is Everymove.org
I have different color bands
and it makes me want to move more
especially when some young 20 something yr old friend is trying to beat my steps for the day