Fitbit vs BodyMedia, etc.

tabriz281

Does the BodyMedia or Bodybugg work with the Motorola Razr and/or new ipad?

SJCon

May want to wait a few months. MIO is supposed to come out in a month or two with the "Alpha" which is a wrist continuous HRM for runners. Also on the horizon is the "Basis", Google them.

The fit bit give you no extra calories for stairs though it does count them but you still get 10 feet of "Steps" not effort. The body media will give your credit for effort but at an ongoing cost to use you data in a monthly fee.

Bluetooth Low Energy "BLE" chest straps are out and useable for smart phones and will not use as much power. A HRM with a gps will also work well. Fit bit and Body media a attempts to have a full daily count of calories and in that respect Body Media or even Body Bugg do better than Fit bit just have a high coast initially and ongoing.

I use a fit bit and a HRM to get the best compromise at the lowest cost. If the Body media person is still reading an promises free web service for the life of the unit I will go that way. LOL

feydruss

I love my Fitbit and chose it over the BMF for a few reasons:
1. It's tiny! I can tuck in in my bra, waistband, and nobody can see it. <-- this means that I actually WEAR IT, which I wouldn't with an armband.
2. No ongoing subscription.
3. The galvanic measurements with BMF wouldn't help me as much, because I sweat more than average due to medications I'm on. So I would constantly be getting false readings.

I think any of these devices is worthwhile if they make more you mindful of your daily activity!

cr8zyamy

Hey all -
I just joined MyFitnessPal, but I also work for BodyMedia I've learned so much from reading feedback and seeing all your thoughts! I love exercise and have been a fitness enthusiast for a looong time.

I wanted to let you know that the technology is the best out there for an affordable price - less than that smartphone that you can pair it with! But in regards to the lifting, burpees, yoga, etc: we're working on an innovation to the product and when it's ready, when you plug your BodyMedia FIT into your computer, it will prompt an update and then you're good to go! No new device to buy, no hardware to replace. I can't wait for when I get more accurate info on my Crossfit workouts. But on my running and walking, and just regular activity throughout the day, this is very accurate!

For all you MFP users: how could we, at BodyMedia make your experience better (BodyMedia FIT alone, or in conjunction with MFP)?

Thanks!!

Hey BodyMedia
I'd love to see the bar code scanner option added to the mobile app like MFP has. Having to add so many foods is tedious and time consuming. Another adjustment I'd like to see is an option for shift workers in the sleep section, maybe a way to easily adjust the time "I go to sleep at.." for those of us with varying schedules.I am enjoying my BodyMedia link armband and I'm really looking forward to the update you described. Thanks for asking for feedback.

bombkitty

Hey all -
I just joined MyFitnessPal, but I also work for BodyMedia I've learned so much from reading feedback and seeing all your thoughts! I love exercise and have been a fitness enthusiast for a looong time.

I wanted to let you know that the technology is the best out there for an affordable price - less than that smartphone that you can pair it with! But in regards to the lifting, burpees, yoga, etc: we're working on an innovation to the product and when it's ready, when you plug your BodyMedia FIT into your computer, it will prompt an update and then you're good to go! No new device to buy, no hardware to replace. I can't wait for when I get more accurate info on my Crossfit workouts. But on my running and walking, and just regular activity throughout the day, this is very accurate!

For all you MFP users: how could we, at BodyMedia make your experience better (BodyMedia FIT alone, or in conjunction with MFP)?

Thanks!!

The main thing I can think of is being able to import our food diary from MFP. Logging food on both sites isn't practical, and MFP's database and entry system are far superior.

THIS! That would be awesome.

cr8zyamy

I've worked the past 2 nights wearing my BodyMedia armband and was asked about it a total of 3 times. I was not wearing long sleeves, just my usual scrub top. Unless I specifically took the time to point it out, it was hardly noticed. I would like to see MFP and BodyMedia share nutritional data bases or cross platform data entry. As a previous respondent said, entry the information twice is tedious.

sherylhs

I just enter the calories as a total to the BodyMedia sight. You still get the same info and it takes about 5 seconds to add calories only. I don't think I could log food anywhere but here since the database is so extensive.

Love my BodyMedia!
~S

menletti

I never paid too much attention to how many calories I burned during the day until a friend gave me her Body Media device. From then on, I've been hooked. Last week I purchased a Fitbit Zip which I absolutely love!! With my Zip, I can see the numbers on the little screen. The Body Media has no screen to view. Also, my Zip downloads wirelessly. I have to remove the BM device and plug it in. The BM device didn't track the calories I burned while riding my bike unless I put it on my ankle. My Zip is quite small and I clip it to my bra so it is out of the way. The BM device is large and bulky on my arm. The Zip links to MFP. Last but not least, the BM device requires a subscription of $6.95 a month and the Zip does not.

BigBrewski

Hey all -
I just joined MyFitnessPal, but I also work for BodyMedia I've learned so much from reading feedback and seeing all your thoughts! I love exercise and have been a fitness enthusiast for a looong time.

I wanted to let you know that the technology is the best out there for an affordable price - less than that smartphone that you can pair it with! But in regards to the lifting, burpees, yoga, etc: we're working on an innovation to the product and when it's ready, when you plug your BodyMedia FIT into your computer, it will prompt an update and then you're good to go! No new device to buy, no hardware to replace. I can't wait for when I get more accurate info on my Crossfit workouts. But on my running and walking, and just regular activity throughout the day, this is very accurate!

For all you MFP users: how could we, at BodyMedia make your experience better (BodyMedia FIT alone, or in conjunction with MFP)?

Thanks!!

The main thing I can think of is being able to import our food diary from MFP. Logging food on both sites isn't practical, and MFP's database and entry system are far superior.

THIS! That would be awesome.

THIS would be totally awesome...I love my body media FIT and I cant wait for the update you mentioned but haveing a way to enter calories here on MFP and Sync them to the bodymedai site would be totally awesome

BigBrewski

Hey all -
I just joined MyFitnessPal, but I also work for BodyMedia I've learned so much from reading feedback and seeing all your thoughts! I love exercise and have been a fitness enthusiast for a looong time.

I wanted to let you know that the technology is the best out there for an affordable price - less than that smartphone that you can pair it with! But in regards to the lifting, burpees, yoga, etc: we're working on an innovation to the product and when it's ready, when you plug your BodyMedia FIT into your computer, it will prompt an update and then you're good to go! No new device to buy, no hardware to replace. I can't wait for when I get more accurate info on my Crossfit workouts. But on my running and walking, and just regular activity throughout the day, this is very accurate!

For all you MFP users: how could we, at BodyMedia make your experience better (BodyMedia FIT alone, or in conjunction with MFP)?

Thanks!!

Also it would be great if you could sync the device from your phone to the activity manager. Having to plug the device into a windows machine or Mac is a drag. I actually no longer own a computer just a android tablet so I currently have to sync the device at work which is ok but not optimal

The main thing I can think of is being able to import our food diary from MFP. Logging food on both sites isn't practical, and MFP's database and entry system are far superior.

THIS! That would be awesome.

THIS would be totally awesome...I love my body media FIT and I cant wait for the update you mentioned but haveing a way to enter calories here on MFP and Sync them to the bodymedai site would be totally awesome

katevarner

Have had BMF for 8 months. Easiest way to lose weight ever. Knowing how many calories you burn is key, and MFP is off by a lot as are most cardio machines and many HRMs. Plus it tells you how many calories you are burning all day and night--not just during your workouts. And while the food database sucks, it's easy to add your own foods to it (as easy as on MFP) and it tracks a lot of nutrients that are not tracked here.

And as far as accuracy, while nothing is 100%, BMF tells me that on a completely lazy day I would burn about the same as the BMR calculators tell me.

There is also a refer a friend program, so if anyone here decides to order one, please let me refer you and we both get a bonus.

danu12

I used BMF for about 7 months starting last November. At first I thought it was super cool, because you could see sleep and the theoretic calorie burn, so I followed the plan based on the calorie burn estimated. Alas, I started putting on weight almost immediately, despite keeping within the calorie and nutrition constraints presented in the BodyMedia plan. =( I kept at it for awhile but the burn was super overestimated!

The sensor draws a lot of attention, especially in short sleeves or sleeveless weather, and caused irritation after awhile, as you're supposed to keep it in the same place and wear it ALL the time. If you sleep on your side where the BMF is, it will disconnect from your skin and the readings will be off. After awhile, I just stopped using it regularly and felt the monthly subscription was a waste. I'd love to use it periodically just to see what the calorie burn reading is, but unless I maintain a regular subscription, there is no access to my data.

So now I'm thinking of trying a HRM or the FitBit....

SJCon

So now I'm thinking of trying a HRM or the FitBit....

I would not recommend Fitbit anymore if you want it to link to MFP Danu. The last update shifts how everyone was used to looking at their data and MFP does not appear to want to restore it.
You might want to Google Mio Alpha and Basis, the are both Wrist type HRM that you could wear all day more comfortably. The Alpha is probably coming out before Christmas and there is no ECD on the Basis. The FitBit is only good for general step types of exercise and far from accurate even there but a good general number.