To anybody thinking buying an activity tracker

WelshPhil1975

My advice would be to DO IT, DO IT NOW. From a swanky and expensive wristband to a £2-off-eBay pedometer, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

I have got the Fitbit One (I wanted the Nike+ Fuelband but it’s not compatible with Android) and whilst it is expensive for a posh pedometer, it has achieved one thing money can’t buy – it has made me more aware of my fitness / activity levels and I am constantly striving to hit my targets, improve on previous best scores, etc – all making me more active than I have been in 20 years.

To those who dismiss them as overpriced gadgets, I would fully agree (for what they actually are and the functionality they provide) but seeing as it took the initial outlay to get me active, get out into the sunshine, get fitter, lose more calories than just dieting alone, etc, I consider it money well spent.

strawmama

My advice would be to DO IT, DO IT NOW. From a swanky and expensive wristband to a £2-off-eBay pedometer, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

I have got the Fitbit One (I wanted the Nike+ Fuelband but it’s not compatible with Android) and whilst it is expensive for a posh pedometer, it has achieved one thing money can’t buy – it has made me more aware of my fitness / activity levels and I am constantly striving to hit my targets, improve on previous best scores, etc – all making me more active than I have been in 20 years.

To those who dismiss them as overpriced gadgets, I would fully agree (for what they actually are and the functionality they provide) but seeing as it took the initial outlay to get me active, get out into the sunshine, get fitter, lose more calories than just dieting alone, etc, I consider it money well spent.

I agree! My Fitbit Flex has been my best purchase this year!

lamps1303

Agree! I LOVE my fitbit flex. Makes you so much more conscious about your daily activity - for me it has made me want to walk more to achieve my 10,000steps. Enabling negative calorie adjustments on MFP too is added motivation - the more active you are the more calories you get; the less active you are, MFP will deduct calories from your daily goal to ensure you're eating at deficit - no one wants calories taken from them!

A little overpriced for what it is but you can't put a price on health! (*cheese*)

WelshPhil1975

Agree! I LOVE my fitbit flex. Makes you so much more conscious about your daily activity - for me it has made me want to walk more to achieve my 10,000steps. Enabling negative calorie adjustments on MFP too is added motivation - the more active you are the more calories you get; the less active you are, MFP will deduct calories from your daily goal to ensure you're eating at deficit - no one wants calories taken from them!

A little overpriced for what it is but you can't put a price on health! (*cheese*)

If I am close but under my daily target I will climb stairs, pace the house, etc; I also take my dog on more challenging walks (up in the hills as opposed to just on the flat pavements,etc). And it's true how excercise is addictive, I just want to keep doing more and more all the time.

Before I bought it (it's only been 4 weeks) I was losing weight by eating better but my activity levels were pretty low. I am so glad I've got it so I can combine the both.

Ryderod

Totally agree, I even bought a small home stepper so could make up any steps "deficit" in the evenings! I would have usually been plonked on the couch watching TV.

davelfc49

I have a fitbit one and while I am happy with it, I don't sync it with MFP because it messes everything up.

As an apple fanboy, these days it's like admitting going to AA (apple anonymous) when you say that. Hi My name's Dave and I like Apple products.

Anyway, back to the subject. Apple will be bringing out a fitness tracker later this year which will be built in to a watch. My point?

Standby for price reductions on new and ebay deals on used fitness trackers. So I would say, if you can possibly hold off for a few months you will be able to pick up a better deal or if like me you like Apple products, maybe a geeky watch.

bostonmom23

The Fitbit one has been the best fitness purchase I ever made!! It has motivated me so much

Phrick

Just don't buy your Fitbit, if that's what you're getting, off ebay. I bought a new-in-package Fitbit Zip from ebay, which turned out defective, and FitBit wouldn't do jack about it because ebay is "not an authorized seller" of their product. Right up until I said I got it from ebay they were set to replace it free of charge but as soon as I said where I got it (they asked), the fantastic support dried up completely.

SezxyStef

I have looked at them...fitbit being the main one..and I see apple is coming out with a new one...but eh. It could be fun to compete with friends etc but I really don't need one to keep me motivated.

My weight loss does that and the fact I chose exercise I love keeps me motivated.

I think they are great if they do keep you motivated but I would rather spend the money on new plates or a new bar or new shoes for working out in.

randomtai

I prefer my BodyMedia FIT. Not a fan of the Fitbits.

fushigi1988

Love my FitBit One

WalkingAlong

I love Fitbits but I would definitely recommend buying them from a local brick & mortar store like Best Buy, Target, Walgreens or Costco. A lot of them don't work right out of the box and you want to be able to just exchange it, not deal with warranty claims and shipping.

What you focus on, you improve.

Yoshirio

Fitbit zip is much cheaper on Amazon FYI.

With that being said, I don't really see the appeal. I don't need an expensive gadget to tell me I am being a lazy *kitten*.(I'm usually well aware lol) I did look into them for a day or so and decided it wasn't for me.

Keepcalmanddontblink

I want one so badly, but cannot afford the cost. Glad someone said to avoid Ebay, because that was where I was planning on getting mine, but now, I am not going to do that.

penny0919

I love my $30 pedometer! Keeps me motivated but not overly obsessed.

Mouse_Potato

I prefer my BodyMedia FIT. Not a fan of the Fitbits.

Is your BMF still working correctly? Mine went haywire when they changed the algorithms back in March and now it's useless. It gives me insane credit for every activity. Customer support says it's more accurate now and won't do anything about it. I don't think it's very likely that I, as a 40 year-old 132 pound woman with a desk job, burn 2700 calories on a rest day. :frown:

randomtai

I prefer my BodyMedia FIT. Not a fan of the Fitbits.

Is your BMF still working correctly? Mine went haywire when they changed the algorithms back in March and now it's useless. It gives me insane credit for every activity. Customer support says it's more accurate now and won't do anything about it. I don't think it's very likely that I, as a 40 year-old 132 pound woman with a desk job, burn 2700 calories on a rest day. :frown:

Mine works with no problems. I have been losing the amount I should be since I bought it. I was told the Core was the one that changed in algorithm not the FIT LINK.

Chain_Ring

Buy a Garmin. It'll make every other device look like the toy that it is.............

Mouse_Potato

I prefer my BodyMedia FIT. Not a fan of the Fitbits.

Is your BMF still working correctly? Mine went haywire when they changed the algorithms back in March and now it's useless. It gives me insane credit for every activity. Customer support says it's more accurate now and won't do anything about it. I don't think it's very likely that I, as a 40 year-old 132 pound woman with a desk job, burn 2700 calories on a rest day. :frown:

Mine works with no problems. I have been losing the amount I should be since I bought it. I was told the Core was the one that changed in algorithm not the FIT LINK.

That makes sense. I have a friend with a Link who is not experiencing the same issue. Thanks.

kattydid65

I have an UP2 band. Absolutely love it. It has a bluetooth built in and it synces up all by itself. It's part of my life now... I never leave without it. You only have to charge it up every 10 days.

randomtai

Buy a Garmin. It'll make every other device look like the toy that it is.............

HRM ≠ Activity Tracker