Buying a Fitbit...Should I? Or NO?

BigDaddyBRC

Are you ANALytical? If so, get it. If not. Waste of money

islandnutshel

I just ordered on, so excited. I admit i like a gadget, i find they keep me in the game.

andrewbeatty

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Its a great tool to record activity and integrate your information from myfitnesspal. At a bare minimum it will remind or prompt you to get from behind your desk and get active. When I first got it four months ago, I was on average walking 3000-4000 steps a day, sometimes much less. I now walk a minimum of 10,000 steps and climb 20 flights of stairs a day. This increase in activity coupled with a much healthy balanced diet (no junk) has resulted in me losing over 30lbs in 4 months and taking my body fat from 31% to 23%. I'm now moving towards introducing more gym time to get to my optimal weight. FITBIT has proven the best $100 I spent.

AlmstHvn

For those of your who use both a FitBit and HRM, do you log your HRM calories on MFP or the FitBit site? And how does the HRM work exactly? Does it have a timer that you set before your workout? Do the ladies on here have any issues keeping the chest strap in place?

I wear both my Fitbit and HRM during a workout. I think of MFP as my central "hub" of data - It's where I log my food and track my workouts. The only thing I type into the Fitbit site is to update my weight changes.

If you have to choose between the two, I'd get a nice HRM before getting the Fitbit. If you already have an HRM that you use during workouts, you can add a Fitbit to your "toolbelt". I used the HRM solo for a few months, now I have both and I like how the Fitbit tracks my non-workout activity, as well as my sleep-time.

ZoeLifts

All of the hype is making me want a Fitbit too, mostly to be accurate about what my TDEE is and to track sleep. Has anyone tried just using their HRM all day, every day to get an average of TDEE?

Raddichio

I have both my HRM and Fitbit on during exercise, and I log the HRM results on MFP. Here's how I do it. When I start exercising, I start my HRM recording and I also press and hold the button on the Fitbit until the timer starts. When exercise ends, I stop my HRM and I again hold the button down on the Fitbit until it says "STOP." Holding the button on the Fitbit in this manner causes it to view the time period between the first time I press and hold the button to the second time as a unique activity period.

Here's how I coordinate the numbers between MFP and Fitbit, using my HRM information for my exercise. First, I check the Activity Log at Fitbit (choose the tab at the top of the dashboard) and determine what time the Fitbit shows the exercise period started. The starting time and length of time exercised is generally within a minute or two of what the HRM says---a nonsignificant difference. Take note of the start time because you will need that to enter in MFP. Then go to exercises in MFP and enter your exercise, including the length of time exercised and the start time from Fitbit. MFP will communicate with Fitbit and that exercise period will show up with the same description you gave it on MFP and the identical calories burned information that you entered from your HRM. This is how you keep from getting credited twice for the exertion during your exercise period. Remember, you have to have synced the MFP and Fitbit sites in order for them to communicate and share information---once the two sites are synced there will be a place for you to enter start time of your exercise period, as it is not there otherwise.

Or, you can just use the Fitbit and forget about the HRM. Most of the time the numbers are fairly similar, although sometimes if the workout is more lifting and doesn't involve much moving around, the Fitbit might credit it with less caloriesi burned. I prefer, for now at least, to use the HRM information.

secretlobster

I got one last week and I don't regret it. But, you have to be adept at interpreting numbers and it's essential to understand the concepts of TDEE and BMR, where calories come from and where they go (cotton-eyed joe). If you would have trouble calculating your own TDEE, then it is probably going to be confusing.

fitbit is a really good tool for helping you calculate your TDEE. The web portal is a nice interface too... I plug everything into MFP (food, calories burned from HRM during intense exercise that fitbit isn't so adept at calculating), and I look at my FitBit dashboard for a good overview of where I am over the course of a day.

LindaCWy

Nah don't buy it for yourself.... buy it for me instead

Raddichio

Yeah---what Secretlobster said ... In many respects, Fitbit is a fancy pedometer with a few extra bells and whistles, but in tandem with the website and the information it presents to you each day, I find it very helpful. I think the website and the fact that access to it is at no charge is what really makes the Fitbit valuable to me.

If you just want someone else to tell you what to eat and when and not have to figure out the reason behind it or figure it out yourself, then the Fitbit probably wouldn't be nearly as appealing. You have to know what to do with the numbers it's giving you and, at first, it takes a little while to understand where the various numbers and information are coming from; but it's not rocket science. It's just another tool to help in understanding how we lose/gain/maintain weight over time---one that many like and find beneficial, but not everyone.

patranus

Fitbit is nothing more than a glorified pedometer.

If you want something that will give you more impact get a HRM. I HIGHLY suggest getting a digifit setup.

AlmstHvn

Very good discussion, yall!

One point hasn't been made here yet that I'd like to bring up...
I am very overweight, with lots of jiggly-bits. "Regular" pedometers did NOT work for me, because it couldn't distinguish between a "jiggle" and a step. The Fitbit can. It has better technology in it than the cheap pedometers.

If you're already in good shape, then an inexpensive pedometer may do what you need... if the shape you're in is "round", then you'll need one with better technology, and those cost more.

After much frustration of being "too fat" for the cheaper models, I was thrilled to find a device that could accurately record my steps.

bluemist248

I love my FitBit, most of the complaints on here are down to people not reading the instructions on MFP correctly. It's helped me have a much more accurate calculation of my daily activity and I since discovered that I was underrating every day by about 200 calories (which had caused the scale to stall). It's replaced my pedometer entirely as it's more accurate and I can use it whatever I'm wearing (more of a bonus for ladies than gents, I know). I actually blogged about how to use it with MFP if anyone's interested: http://beyondthebathroomscale.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/btbss-guide-to-fitbit-ultra.html

Edited to add: I agree that a HRM is more useful than a FitBit for intense workouts, I use my FitBit for daily activity and use my HRM for workouts.

PayneAS

I wear my FitBit at all times and my Polar FT7 when I'm working out.

The FitBit is just a fancy pedometer (and sleep recorder which is neat) but I love it for tracking all the walking I do during the day. So really, all it will do is count the steps you take during the day. Don't expect it to record yoga or spinning or anything else that isn't walking.

I haven't had any problems with it syncing to MFP and I do all my recording on MFP (which syncs just fine with the FitBit site). As long as you record your workout times accurately in MFP (start time and stop times in particular), you shouldn't have any problems with FitBit double counting calorie burns. I love the sleep recording function although I've been bad and haven't used it in about a month. My life has been hectic and even though I'm wearing it, I forget to turn on the sleep timer.

You can check out my FitBit profile if you'd like: http://www.fitbit.com/user/22HTZ2

vim_n_vigor

I love mine. It motivates me to keep my activity up, and also made it quite clear that I am not sedentary. If you do a lot of exercises that are not walking/running, I would either get the FitBit and a HRM, or decide which was more important to have. I do like seeing how my activity breaks down for the day and where I can improve. I wouldn't trade my FitBit for anything. Maybe sometime this year I'll get a HRM too.

IrishHarpy1

I've had one since November, and have worn it constantly except for showering and charging the battery. I also use my Polar HRM for more intense workouts -- listing the workouts on MFP will adjust the Fitbit calories through the sync feature, so nothing gets "double counted." Also, thanks to one of the peeps on my FL I've joined Eardit.com... which will *also* sync with your Fitbit and helps you accumulate points towards rewards offered on their website. I'm halfway to sending those "care packages" to the troops overseas after only three days!!! :happy:

diddyk

I've had my Fitbit a few months. It IS a glorified pedometer, but I love it anyway. It's not perfect, but it helps motivate me to keep moving and gives me exercise credit for days I'm really active. I have MFP set as sedentary, and I'm not as sedentary as I thought. I work at a desk all day and my Fitbit makes me want to walk at lunch so I can see 10,000 steps when I get home.

The biggest frustration I had was figuring out the calories at first. In the Fitbit site it was set to estimate calories for the day, so if you were really active in the morning and sat all afternoon, you might see a large exercise credit that disappears throughout the day. I switched it on the fitbit site so it's sedentary, and it only gives me credit for movement as it happens, and the problem of disappearing exercise calories was solved.

ETA: The device is pretty well made. I put mine through the washing machine and it came out ok. I would never make that mistake again, but it does prove how sturdy the device is.

juicymisslucy

Are they available in Canada? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

debk3p2

Got to chime in even though everyone else has already convinced you. My husband and I consider our fitbits the best (exercise) equipment we ever invested in because we are constantly finding ways to fit more steps into our days. We do our walks but we have also become the folks who park the furthest away at the store, pace during commercials and take the dog out for a short jaunt if we feel our steps are a bit low (the dog heartily approves of the fitbit too). It really does make you aware of your daily activity levels rather than focusing on a set time of an hour or so for exercise per day.

I hurt my knee a few weeks ago so have had to curtail my walking. Boo. Hopefully I'll be better soon.

Debbie

diddyk

Are they available in Canada? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

You can order if from the Fitbit website. Be prepared to be hit with import fees. I think it was $12?

juicymisslucy

Are they available in Canada? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

You can order if from the Fitbit website. Be prepared to be hit with import fees. I think it was $12?

Thanks

Rosa1455

I have a iphone and my daughter told me about the app she uses on her iphone and it Pedometer. It keeps up with distance, calories, time and speed

Tebbspcad

I was a bit unsure as to whether to get one myself or not & now I so want one! I hope my hubby has taken the hint & is getting me one for my birthday next week!

juicymisslucy

I am so excited! I just ordered it but it said because it's being shipped to Canada it may take 4 - 6 weeks. Bummer.

stacie48

Wondering the same thing

jessig715

I love my FitBit...it's a great way to be aware of your activity. I check it throughout the day, and if I'm behind where I should be, I know I need to get out and move! I think it's more than worth the money!

awmejia

I use a free app on my android phone. there are literally 100's of them.

ZoeLifts

I use a free app on my android phone. there are literally 100's of them.

Which one do you use? Does it calculate your TDEE based off of your daily activity?

andreanicole686

I have one and I really like it. It tells me how many calories I burn, how many steps I take, how many stairs I've climbed and on their website it would track your progress and tell you if you need to exercise more or what your best days are. It's small so you can put it in your pocket or bra!

linder4866

I haven't had my FitBit that long but I appreciate the information it provides. I appreciate knowing about my sleep patterns in particular.

krystle_swope

I swear by my heart rate monitor. The fit bit doesn't properly track calories because it's not basing it off of your heart rate, just on the steps you take which can be extremely inaccurate. I have a HRM that just tracks my heart rate, calories and time but a friend of mine paid a little extra and got a Garmin HRM which tracks steps taken, calories and it even has a GPS and can tell you the path you traveled! Mine was $80 and hers was about $120. Worth every penny!