Are fitbits worth it?

ShelfRelianceMom

Hey! I was wondering for all of you fitbit users if you have found the fitbit to be worth it? Do you feel it has motivated you to take more steps and see what you caloric burn is for different exercises are? Is it accurate? Is there one you'd recommend over others? Have you noticed any problems with it? Is it difficult to use? Thank you for your opinions!

mdj1501

I have had mine for about 2 weeks and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Best 100 bucks I ever spent. It does motivate me, and I think the calorie burn is fairly accurate. So far no problems, other than I wish I could wear it to the lake!

hookandy

Look forward to any answer to this one, fitbit or hrm, my next birthday is looming

fypspirit

I think so. I have had mine for around 4 months and I don't go anywhere without it. From the moment I get out of bed I have it on. Keeps ya motivated and I like to see what I am doing through out the day. I would totally recommend one. I still want to get a HRM at some point because the fitbit will not register like if you are doing P90X or something where you really are not taking steps. But I still think it is a great investment especially since it is summer and I don't want to work out indoors.

Syderelli

I have had mine for about 2 weeks and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Best 100 bucks I ever spent. It does motivate me, and I think the calorie burn is fairly accurate. So far no problems, other than I wish I could wear it to the lake!

I want one!! Bummer they aren't waterproof.. hehe

MrsSorenson

I want to know as well! Thanks for asking the question! So what's the difference between a fitbit and a bodybugg similar products, but which is better?

75Juniper

Yes, it's worth it! I have the Fitbit Ultra, which also tracks flights of stairs. I think it's accurate, and I have been losing weight (I eat back my exercise calories). It's also very easy to use. The Fitbit website syncs with MFP, which I love.

I haven't had any problems, but I've only had it two months. I've read numerous times that their customer service is amazing, though, so if you were to have problems, they will help you out.

I love that I don't have to log my exercise (I do walking, aerobics, circuit training, and intervals). And I am more motivated to move. I also like that I can see how intensely I'm working out as opposed to a pedometer that just gives you a straight step count.

You will not regret getting one!

Thechiplover

I have a Fitbit and a HRM..

In my opinion i would go for the HRM, I just feel that the chest strap + watch are more accurate

stuntpilot51

I feel the same, best $100 I ever spent. The motivation factor was a surprise, you always want to beat your best numbers.

Had some syncing issues today for the first time but used the reset button and everything is fine.

CCChaos625

I absolutely loved mine until the dog decided to eat it. My hubbs is buying me another for my birthday. I loved that it not only did the steps and distance but the stairs and elevations (we hike a lot)

This was awesome and a great motivator for me!!!

PayneAS

Had mine since February and love it. I also have an HRM (Polar FT7). I use my HRM to track my work outs and my FitBit for motivation and extra calorie burn. Today, for example, I've already taken enough steps to log an extra 187 calories from walking. I also love using its sleep tracking feature to see how much rest I'm getting.

Just realize that the FitBit is a fancy pedometer, not really something you would use to track your workouts, in my opinion. If you want something to track exercise (not just walking/running/jogging) then you'll probably want an HRM instead.

FierceFeline

Not sure how the fitbit differs from the bodybugg, but I loveeeee my Fitbit. I haven't started a true exercise schedule yet, but my Fitbit gives so much more insight when paired with MFP, than just using MFP alone. I already lost 5lbs with it in a couple of weeks because I can better understand what I am doing/not doing.

Go to this link to see a screenshot of the "dashboard". This is what I see when I log in.
http://blogs.babycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/screenshot_231.jpg

Even better, the Fitbit wirelessly synchs when your near your computer (and the charging port is plugged in).

Also - seeing my exact sleeping times, wakings, etc with graphs have help me better modify my sleep schedule...all which ties into your health and weight loss.

meeka472

I can't say this enough times, but the fitbit was one of the best fitness related investments I've ever made. It motivates me to be active each and every day. If you're on the fence I'd say BUY, BUY, BUY!

Kristy713ckm

bump (to read later)

75Juniper

Just realize that the FitBit is a fancy pedometer, not really something you would use to track your workouts, in my opinion. If you want something to track exercise (not just walking/running/jogging) then you'll probably want an HRM instead.

I disagree. I've used it while doing various Jillian Michaels workouts and while the calorie burn is slightly underestimated because of the strengh training, I still think it's close enough.

Ajmead

Great little gadget. I don't leave home with out him.

mojo75

i have a fitbit and an HRM. the fitbit is handy but i personally use my HRM much more

mrsvatitagain

Bump I would like to read these answers at another time as well...

xtrordinari

I honestly have to tell you that Fitbit has changed my life and I highly recommend it. I was a total couch potato and once I got the Fitbit that all changed. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and I LOVE! I didn't realize the connection between how much I eat and burn off until I could actually see it with the Fitbit data. Now I am exercising more and feeling fantastic. It is accurate and I use it along with a HRM. Best of all I am getting results.

bauml003

I've had my FitBit for about two months now, and I absolutely love it! It makes me get my butt up and moving around!
I spent $100 dollars on it and it's the best $100 I've ever spent.

Last week, it was ridiculously warm up here in Minnesota (102 F!) and I happened to sweat a bit more than I usually would. The FitBit worked before the workout - but it was non-responsive after. I was baffled - until I realized it had been covered in sweat during my workout!

Apparently, FitBit is not meant to be water PROOF...just water RESISTANT. Anyway, I went on FitBit.com and sent a message to customer service stating that the screen was non-responsive. I got an e-mail back right away that said the following:

"Your replacement Fitbit is now being processed. Please allow 5-7 business days for your Fitbit Tracker to arrive. Please go ahead and recycle the defective unit through a local electronics recycling program. Feel free to keep the base station, wrist band and belt clip as your back-ups."

I didn't have to pay a dime for anything! Interestingly enough, one of my friends had bought one at BestBuy and the same thing happened to hers. She waltzed through the door, told them what happened, and they replaced it for FREE as well as part of their agreement with FitBit!

Another plus for the FitBit Ultra - One-year limited warranty - but EXCELLENT customer service!

sfgonzales

I want to know as well! Thanks for asking the question! So what's the difference between a fitbit and a bodybugg similar products, but which is better?

I bought a Bodybugg (by 24 Hour Fitness) and was able to get over my hump and got down to my original goal weight. The issues I had with the Bodybugg:
1. I had to find clothes to cover the band on my arm
2. The sensors on it would irritate my skin
3. The food database was HORRIBLE. I had to add the majority of my food manually.
4. Constantly being asked what was on my arm and if I was diabetic... I guess my arm band looked like an insulin pump?

I saw the Fit Bit at Best Buy a few weekends ago and decided to research it. I made the switch and I love it! I ordered my Fit Bit on Amazon, it came in on Tuesday and I'm already down a pound. It's just as accurate as my Bodybugg (which I lost 20 plus pounds using) but it is small enough to slip into my pocket (or wear on my bra if I don't have pockets). I would recommend it.

jamie1888

I used mine for a couple of months with my HRM. I'm more interested in total calories burned in the day; couldn't care less about how many steps I take. And the FitBit doesn't count the cals burned while strength training because you aren't taking steps.
It's a cool gadget and nice to see what your activity is like. But, if you are only going to buy one gadget, a HRM is a far better investment!

Edit to add:
I am pretty active every day so I don't need it to motivate me to move. If I didn't like to exercise and stay active, then yes, it would motivate me to move some. But, I still LOVE my Polar FT7 more than anything! Someone can buy my gently used FitBit if they want it! :happy:

FierceFeline

Just realize that the FitBit is a fancy pedometer, not really something you would use to track your workouts, in my opinion. If you want something to track exercise (not just walking/running/jogging) then you'll probably want an HRM instead.

I disagree. I've used it while doing various Jillian Michaels workouts and while the calorie burn is slightly underestimated because of the strengh training, I still think it's close enough.

I agree, too. It can be a fancy pedometer if you want it too, or you can use it to motivate and make changes. Plus the sleep tracking feature is great, as well as using it to exactly time your activities - which you can then add into MFP. You would want a HRM to find out exact details of calorie burning (I'll get one soon enough in addition to my Fitbit) but on its own, the fitbit is pretty wonderful.

wftiger

I have a fitbit and HRM. If you can only get one I would recommend the HRM unless all you do is walk. The fitbit is really just a pedometer. It will not measure how hard you workout only how many steps/stairs you do. The calories won't be 100% accurate as again, it does not know how hard you workout.

When I was walking a lot I loved the fitbit. Then I didn't have to strap on the HRM and go through that hassle. It is really motivational so it is definitely worth purchasing if you do most of your exercising as just walking.

BSchoberg

I just got mine - have only had it a little over a week - so I'm still getting used to it, but I love it! I figure the calorie burn has to be closer than the guestimates I was using. I definitely like the fact that I get a calorie burn count for my weight training session - that was next to impossible to judge.

I check it all the time, just to see where I am for the day. I have gotten to the point where I only "clock" my sleep, though... there doesn't seem to be much point to timing a spin class when the Fitbit will record your activity level anyway. And I'm not sure how the adjustment from Fitbit to MFP works - my Fitbit says one thing and MFB says something completely different. The numbers that come over to MFP tend to be (ballpark) close to the ones I was using before, so I figure my net daily calorie goal is still pretty accurate.

Love that info from MFP migrates to Fitbit dashboard, too! They have better reporting than MFP does.

I got mine from Amazon - and used my Discover cash-back-bonus points to pay, so as far as I'm concerned, it was practically free.

crimsontech

I absolutely loved mine until the dog decided to eat it. My hubbs is buying me another for my birthday. I loved that it not only did the steps and distance but the stairs and elevations (we hike a lot)

This was awesome and a great motivator for me!!!

Contact customer service - they will probably replace it for FREE! Their service is amazing.

Hey! I was wondering for all of you fitbit users if you have found the fitbit to be worth it? Do you feel it has motivated you to take more steps and see what you caloric burn is for different exercises are? Is it accurate? Is there one you'd recommend over others? Have you noticed any problems with it? Is it difficult to use? Thank you for your opinions!

Worth it? YEP, 1000 times yes!
Motivated me? Absolutely!!!
Accurate? Seems to do a very reasonable assessment of my activity levels.
One I'd recommend? I haven't tried any others. I compared all the major devices online before deciding on the FitBit because of its small size and total cost of ownership (free lifetime website use over monthly fees).
Problems? Never. Only that it's not waterproof.
Difficult to use? Not at all. I have 4 other family members wearing one now and everyone is able to use it without problems.

GET ONE!!

ladyluch99

I've had my FitBit for about 4 months now and I love it. It really motivated me to move more especially when my main exercise was walking. Now I've joined the gym and along with that am doing various classes like Zumba, Total Body, etc., and I feel the FitBit doesn't give me an accurate calorie burn as it is more step based and can't really count the calories you burn from doing weight lifting or the extra calories you burn when moving other parts of my body other than my feet. Therefore, I have ordered (just today) a HRM. I'm excited to get that as I enter another phase of my exercise regimen.

If you walk or jog or do more step type exercise, then the FitBit is for you! It really is a great gadget.

ShelfRelianceMom

This helps so much! Thank you everyone. I have never even heard of the HRM and forgot about the body bug so I guess I should look at the costs of those as well but was excited about the idea of spending about for this product if it gets me more motivated. I figure it will really help when I have family visiting and I can't work out as much. It will help me to start moving a little more Thanks again.

Mhaney

Is there an HRM that syncs with MFP like the fitbit does?

BSchoberg

Is there an HRM that syncs with MFP like the fitbit does?

That is a GREAT question - and I don't think so. Definitely something to recommend to the MFP Gods.

ShelfRelianceMom

I would love to buy it if its not already been purchased!!!!