To Fitbit or not to Fitbit

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Replies

  • essjay76
    essjay76 Posts: 465 Member
    LOVE my Fitbit! It, along with MFP, have been instrumental in helping me maintain my weight. I trust the burns on there and it does give a better TDEE than most online calculators.
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  • getfitnowdee
    getfitnowdee Posts: 17 Member
    I have used my fitbit for over a year and I do love it....right now I have the fitbit force...I think any that count steps will be helpful !
  • AdventureVix
    AdventureVix Posts: 46 Member
    I really wanted one when I first heard about them, but I'm starting to think they are just really expensive pedometers, I downloaded a free pedometer app on my phone and bought a polar hrm for $20 and it seems to do the job, I've lost more consistently since combining the two. The band looks cool on your writ though...
  • srd_23
    srd_23 Posts: 43 Member
    I love my fitbit flex. It keeps me motivated and I have friends (online and real life) that I try to match or beat. I excercise way more now that I have one. It isn't 100% accurate, but does seem to be more accurate than just using MFP by itself. On a side note, you can get extra bands in all kinds of colors for pretty cheap, so you can accessorize as well!

    I would like to clarify that although I love my fitbit, it is not the only device that works, and there are a lot of great alternatives. The Jawbone Up got excellent reviews, and has some cool features that the Fitbit lacks. It does cost more though. The Garmin devices are great for people who run outside. As I run on a treadmill I don't find myself needing the GPS aspect.

    I think the important thing is to have SOME device that measures your excercise in a convenient way. Almost all of them can integrate with MFP.
  • dclark566
    dclark566 Posts: 330 Member
    I have one, I wear it. It is really a glorified pedometer. The bodymedia is so much better but too bulky for the summer and it has a fee. I am competitive and have friends who use the fitbit so it does motivate me. I like numbers so having something on me to give me an idea of my activity is nice.
  • zhogle
    zhogle Posts: 14 Member
    I'm pretty sure nobody has mentioned this one yet: has anyone tried Runtastic's Orbit? Curious how it stacks with everything else. I'm a big Runtastic user.

    Also, for all of these, can anyone tell me if I need to have my smartphone with me while on a run or something like that? Ie. for the Orbit, do I need to have my phone with me and Runtastic open for Orbit to work with that? Or will it log everything properly and just sync up the next time they connect? Thanks!
  • Wkelkel
    Wkelkel Posts: 19 Member
    Im a big Runtastic user too, also wear a Fitbit Fkex for counting daily steps, which syncs with MFP.
    The Orbit looks good but hasent yet got synced up with MFP (hopefully soon?)
    I will be getting one and going full Runtastic/MFP use
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I use a Jawbone activity tracker that's a small bracelet I never take off. I had a Fitbit Zip, but kept forgetting to switch it from one outfit to the next. The Jawbone has replace the need to use a separate HRM as well. And I use it when I do Aqua Zumba because it's water resistant.
  • coccodrillo72
    coccodrillo72 Posts: 94 Member
    I'm pretty sure nobody has mentioned this one yet: has anyone tried Runtastic's Orbit? Curious how it stacks with everything else. I'm a big Runtastic user.

    Also, for all of these, can anyone tell me if I need to have my smartphone with me while on a run or something like that? Ie. for the Orbit, do I need to have my phone with me and Runtastic open for Orbit to work with that? Or will it log everything properly and just sync up the next time they connect? Thanks!

    I got one a few days ago: I like it so far, especially the fact that is waterproof.

    If you use it with the Runtastic app, the Orbit act as a display for the app: it displays the current activity duration, distance, and so on. Neat feature. Also the data from the Runtastic app is used by the Runtastic Me (the Orbit app) to integrate your daily activity, so if you go for a bike ride (no steps) and you track it with the Runtastic app it is still counted for your daily burn by the Orbit app.

    You can go for a run without your phone, the Orbit will track your steps just like any other tracker. That run will not be displayed in the Runtastic app though, if that's what you are asking, but only in the Me app.
  • stevenlcopeland
    stevenlcopeland Posts: 57 Member
    I never have tried the fitness trackers but I do have two different heart rate monitors that I absolutely love and it makes working out so much fun and really keeps you accountable.
  • GBO323
    GBO323 Posts: 333 Member
    I've used the Force, One, and now have the Zip. When I was in loss mode, eating my exercise calories caused my weight to go up and down. So I unlinked it from MFP and used it to track my steps.

    Now I'm in maintenance mode, I relinked it back to MFP as a reward and counting my increased activity level.

    One VERY important thing to note. The calorie burn goal on FitBit app and the Average Daily calories burned on MFP need to be the same...or the FitBit will over-estimated calories you get to eat.

    I like the Zip because it clips to my pocket and registers all movement vs the armband. When the battery dies, I can replace it. Don't care to count stairs or sleep. The Zip is the right tool for me.
  • stone2cut
    stone2cut Posts: 15 Member
    It tracks your steps like a pedometer and backs out your distance based on height and how many steps you take. If you have your phone with you on a run or activity, the Orbit will show your stats from the Runtastic app - pace, duration, etc. - and these will be extremely accurate because it uses GPS.

    The Orbit syncs with their new app Runtastic Me via Bluetooth and it's really quick. Just open the app and it syncs in a few seconds.
  • giampi260271
    giampi260271 Posts: 12
    Still didn't figure out if Runtastic Orbit is supposed to integrate with MFP. On app it is possible to select the steps detection from Runtastic but it doesn't appear to be the Me application.
  • mseslee
    mseslee Posts: 101 Member
    I just got a fitbit flex and i love it, the fact that it motivates me to make my 5 miles and as silly as this sounds it's a helpful reminder to try to be healthier when I see it on my wrist.
  • mohanj
    mohanj Posts: 381 Member
    I love using my Fitbit one. I tried using Fitbit Zip and I did not like it very much as it does not have nice features I want. For example, You can initialize it to 0 steps before you start walking and you don't have to worry calculating. It is absolutely worth it.

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