How accurate is FitBit?

ChitownFoodie
ChitownFoodie Posts: 1,562 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My boyfriend is trying to maintain weight, but HATES the idea of wearing the BodyMediaFit armband and doesn't like the monthly fee. He thinks its annoying. He can never figure out how much he should be eating every single day so I am thinking of buying him a FitBit.

Replies

  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    bump
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    There've been a few hiccups with their service and the MFP integration over the past month or two, but they seem to have resolved those issues. So, outside of that, it seems to be accurate for tracking general activity levels throughout the day (basically any sort of walking / jogging / running type activity).

    I have my MFP profile set to sedentary, and then I let Fitbit track activity and, for anything above sedentary, I get a "Fitbit calorie adjustment" added to MFP. That value can change throughout the day as my activity level changes (assuming I'm syncing the Fitbit occasionally), but it seems to match pretty well against MFP's own estimates based on different activity levels.

    Another option would be to just go with setting the MFP activity level estimate and let MFP provide the daily calorie target.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    It's a fun gadget but it's basically a glorified pedometer. It satisfies the OCD need to micromanage all the numbers, but it's really no better than general TDEE estimation, then dialing in after a little trial & error. Consider this - the fitbit wouldn't really know the difference between touching your toes vs doing a 2x bodyweight deadlift....
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    Consider this - the fitbit wouldn't really know the difference between touching your toes vs doing a 2x bodyweight deadlift....

    Actually the Fitbit wouldn't be likely to notice either one of those activities. :)

    Zaph0d is right though... Fitbit's mostly a pedometer, with some other bells and whistles, but it's really good for two things: (1) tracking general activity level throughout the day and (2) providing motivation / reminders to keep active.

    If you want to get really OCD, you're going to want a HRM as well. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything. :-)

    If your boyfriend just wants to keep it simple & not be bothered with "other stuff" then I'd recommend going with the MFP activity level pre-sets.
  • ChitownFoodie
    ChitownFoodie Posts: 1,562 Member
    Well that answered that question. Guess I won't get it for him. Thank you!!

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