Fitbit vs Bodymedia

neverwhich

I have a BodyMedia and I love it. Only... I wear it tucked into the side panel of my bra (sensors flat against the side of my ribcage) rather than on my arm. In the beginning I wore it on my arm, but I found that the numbers were close to identical wearing it on my side. It's a lot less noticeable/intrusive in my bra. :-)

I've had my BMF since March of 2012. It helped me stay on track to lose my last ten pounds, and I've been successfully using it for maintenance since June now.

What a brilliant idea! Will have to try that, sometime!
I've had my BMF Core for just shy of a year. I can't say it's done a lot for my weight loss, but it certainly does make me more aware of my activity level and quantity of sleep (though I'm not convinced it's entirely accurate on that front; I sleep slightly elevated due to various health issues, and the BMF consistently thinks I wake up for hours at a shot in the middle of the night. I don't). Even when I was blowing off my healthier lifestyle, I kept wearing it and updating the site, for pedometer and sleep data alone. I just "upgraded" to the Link (not sure if that was a wise choice, yet; thought it'd work with my Panasonic Viera TV for workouts and on-screen updates, but now it looks like that's a no-go), because Costco is having a deal where you get the site free for 12 months. The Core came with 6, when I got it there last February. Standard free trial if you buy it through BMF directly is 3 months.
I don't know what's accurate, but I do know that the BMF numbers seem a lot more realistic than what various cardio machines have told me. The one thing you should know is that it barely works if you do a stationary bike workout. I mean, it WORKS, but it doesn't register that you're exercising. Kinda frustrating. I've learned that if that's going to be my workout, I need to take the armband off for an hour, then update the off-body data with my bike ride.
I really do forget it's on my arm most of the time. The Link is significantly larger than the Core; we'll see if that makes it more obtrusive, but I love that bra trick! That sounds fantastic! :-)

AmyRose2010

Thanks for posting this question. I'm also in the market and appreciate the feedback so far. Keep the recommendations coming!

simplydelish2

I have a fitbit 1. It's a good pedometer. I find that it isn't accurate at all when clipped on my bra. Much more accurate when clipped on my pant pocket. Calories burned are all day - based on a formula, so I'm not thrilled with the accuracy. fitbit recommends less calories than MFP, so syncing gives you - exercise calories. I don't track sleep with it.

Would I buy it again. If I was looking for an accurate pedometer - yes. If I were looking for the complete package - no.

fritostyle

bump

ashleab37

Bump to read later

blablues

I've been using the Fitbit since July. It's nice as a pedometer, but the calories are too low so I wouldn't use it for calorie counting. I've been using an HRM to track the calories burned in workouts - especially for weights or yoga workouts where you are burning calories and getting your heartrate up, but not moving your feet much. The Fitbit does help me figure out how many miles I run in my gym's indoor track based on the running stride I figured out when I was running outdoors and used a GPS to track miles. It is also useful to see activity level for any extra walking I do. The biggest problem with the Fitbit is that it's just so easy to lose. I've lost 3 Fitbits (2 Fitbit Ultras and 1 Fitbit Zip) in the past 6 months. I lost one Ultra, washed the second Ultra, and just lost the Zip. The good news with the Zip is that they provide one free replacement, so hopefully I'll be getting a new one soon; the ultra they offered to replace with a Fitbit One at 50% cost.

As for the BodyMedia - after I lost my latest Fitbit I started looking around at other options and decided to get the BodyMedia Link. I've had it for just a couple of days now, and I do like it. I compared the calories during my run this morning to my HRM and the BodyMedia was 50 calories less. I actually think the BodyMedia is more accurate since my latest HRM has been calculating calories higher than my last HRM and also higher than online calculators based on average heart rate. I also like that the bodymedia link syncs with my Android so I don't have to wait until I get home to see how many calories I'm burning. The downsides are the monthly $7 fee (which is just ridiculous to me to have any fee when so many websites provide this information for free), and it seems to overestimate calories burned while I'm driving. I might try that bra track to see if it fixes that.

Overall, even with the monthly fee, I think the bodymedia is winning so far. I'm also happy to see that they are doing a more upgraded bodymedia in the future that integrates an HRM, then I can pretty much reduce my fitness gadgets to just one.

2gabbee

Bump to compare info. Hearing Nike is coming out with wrist one also.

FaithMasters

I've had 2 Body Media Fit's (older one, then newer one). I hated the visible band for work. Even with a sweater you can still see it.
I picked up a FitBit and wore both together for a couple weeks to see how accurate the FitBit would be. In most cases the FitBit was within 80-100 calories (on the low side).
I figured the worst that happened was I estimated a tad on the low side and got my butt moving to burn a few more calories. I promptly ditched my Body Media.
No monthly fee for the FitBit and it interfaces with all kinds of apps. Picked up the Aria scale, as well. Haven't looked back.

CdnArtyWife

I have the BodyMedia and I love it. I thought wearing it on my arm would bug me but I forget it's even there. Its pretty accurate when measuring my activity.

I've forgotten mine is there so much that I even stepped in the shower with it still on once!

I don't find it bulky and no one has noticed it under my shirt sleeve yet...or if they did, they haven't asked me about it.

I wear sleeveless tops when at the gym (both running and weight-lifting) and even the other gym members (all military folk) haven't said anything about it.

It is insanely accurate, and I really feel I've finally got the "edge" on this "Cals in < Cals out" thing.

gennafer731

I had the bodybugg last year when I started trying to lose weight. I didn't like it much, the website was a pain. Ionly used it with the display to see my burn numbers.

I got the Jawbone Up a few months ago and I think it works like the Fitbit. It tracks activity level, steps, sleep. It has an iPhone app to sync to. You wear it on your arm like a bracelet. It's a bit bulky but it doesn't stick out like the bodybugg and it is pretty easy to wear all the time, Only issue is you have to press the button when you sleep which I always forget to do.

I just got the new body media Core, which is made by the same people as bodybugg and is essentially the same thing as the previous bodybuggs but it also tracks sleep. The big plus to the Core is that is smaller, it uses a totaly different website and syncing program that is soooo much better than the apex/bodybugg site. Also you can connect myfitnesspal to the bodymedia site so you don't even have to remember to log your workouts. Sometimes if I don't want people to see my armband I put it on my calf if I'm wearing jeans, or I saw someone said they wear theirs in their bra (against their ribs) which is a great idea. There is a monthly fee for the website use but you get 6 months free when you buy one new.

In my opinion the Core wins for being the most accurate measurement along with being able to link myfitnesspal so I don't have to log anything twice.

Oreonut

Found a pretty good article from a person that did a 28 day test on four different systems.
http://www.getgrok.com/2013/01/a-comparative-review-28-days-with-the-fitbit-one-jawbone-up-nike-fuelband-and-bodymedia-link/

enigmaneo

If you have a desk job how accurate is Fit Bit if it's on your wrist? From everything I have read isn't it just a pedometer and if it's on your wrist while you are typing using mouse moving around won't it just register steps then too?

jonnythan

If you have a desk job how accurate is Fit Bit if it's on your wrist? From everything I have read isn't it just a pedometer and if it's on your wrist while you are typing using mouse moving around won't it just register steps then too?

The Fitbit Flex, the wrist-worn unit, isn't out yet. The Fitbits that do exist are meant to be worn on the waist or torso.

That said, it's not just a pedometer. It measures its acceleration and movement in space and uses algorithms to determine just how you are moving, in what direction, and how quickly. It can tell the difference between a run and a walk. It's a little tough to intentionally fool, as is the Nike Fuelband and Jawbone Up.

I think the Fitbit has an inherent advantage over HRMs. Heart rate is not necessarily an indicator of energy use - you are burning the same number of calories in the first 30 seconds of a jog, when your heart rate is low, as you are in the last 30 seconds, when your heart rate is high and you are drenched in sweat. Furthermore, heart rate will slowly decrease over time as you become trained and your heart has to work less to move the same amount of oxygen (oxygen consumed = calories burned).

The Fitbit does a good job of measuring and recording actual movement. It doesn't care how hard your heart is pumping, as that is pretty irrelevant when it comes to calculating calories.

enigmaneo

aaahh, OK. Makes sense. Thanks.

rodow

Fitbit Flex ordered...waiting... waiting...

LuciaLongIsland

I have a Fitbit and love it. However, it just died. The thing wouldn't charged. I tried everything. The sad thing is that to navigate to the contact us support of the Fitbit sight is quite difficult. There is no address, no phone number. I e mailed them twice about this and got nothing. Has anyone had this issue? If, so please message me. My Fitbit is a year old.

Thanks.

liftingbro

I have had both a fitbit and bodymedia fit, like the Fitbit better. I think the bodymedia fit overestimated my calorie burn by quite a bit.

marciabwls

I just ordered the Fitbit...Should have it in a couple days.. So excited.. Maybe now I will no more on how may calories I am burning when I exercise..

liftingbro

If you have a desk job how accurate is Fit Bit if it's on your wrist? From everything I have read isn't it just a pedometer and if it's on your wrist while you are typing using mouse moving around won't it just register steps then too?

The Fitbit Flex, the wrist-worn unit, isn't out yet. The Fitbits that do exist are meant to be worn on the waist or torso.

That said, it's not just a pedometer. It measures its acceleration and movement in space and uses algorithms to determine just how you are moving, in what direction, and how quickly. It can tell the difference between a run and a walk. It's a little tough to intentionally fool, as is the Nike Fuelband and Jawbone Up.

I think the Fitbit has an inherent advantage over HRMs. Heart rate is not necessarily an indicator of energy use - you are burning the same number of calories in the first 30 seconds of a jog, when your heart rate is low, as you are in the last 30 seconds, when your heart rate is high and you are drenched in sweat. Furthermore, heart rate will slowly decrease over time as you become trained and your heart has to work less to move the same amount of oxygen (oxygen consumed = calories burned).

The Fitbit does a good job of measuring and recording actual movement. It doesn't care how hard your heart is pumping, as that is pretty irrelevant when it comes to calculating calories.

HRMs are probably the worst thing to measure calorie burn from. Too many things affect HR for to be very accurate. If you drink caffeine or take any preworkout supplement you will have an artificially raised HR which will affect the calorie burn the HRM gives you.

HRM only tells how hard your heart is working, not much else. I think HRMs are particularly useless for people just starting to workout because when you are not fit you HR spikes and stays elevated in with relatively light exercise.

Ready2Rock206

I have a BodyMedia and I love it. Only... I wear it tucked into the side panel of my bra (sensors flat against the side of my ribcage) rather than on my arm. In the beginning I wore it on my arm, but I found that the numbers were close to identical wearing it on my side. It's a lot less noticeable/intrusive in my bra. :-)

Ohhhhhh! Interesting! The main thing keeping me from purchasing the BodyMedia is I'm too embarrassed to walk around with a giant device strapped to my arm! In the gym is one thing - but in general public I just don't think I could do it. My FitBit hides so nicely in my bra, but it seems the BodyMedia would be more accurate. But if I could hide the BodyMedia too that would be fabulous.

patti0929

That's a wonderful idea tucking it inside the bra. I am going to try that with summer coming.

56strong

i am now wearing both also and the difference is huge i think. Body media logs way more steps and calories burned vs fitbit. I don't know which one to believe now.

56strong

awesome idea of wearing it in my bra. Going to try it today Love this : )

BeLightYear

I have a BodyMedia and I love it. Only... I wear it tucked into the side panel of my bra (sensors flat against the side of my ribcage) rather than on my arm. In the beginning I wore it on my arm, but I found that the numbers were close to identical wearing it on my side. It's a lot less noticeable/intrusive in my bra. :-)

I wish I had thought of that all these years!!!

I have also heard that BodyMedia is going to be selling a much smaller version soon.

jigsawxyouth

I have a FitBit One, and I freaking LOVE IT.
There was a useful article on Gizmodo pertaining to the Flex vs. the One, and I'm really glad that I bought my One!
I could have went with the Zip, but having the stair count motivates me to use the steps more!

Edit- I guess I should elaborate on my FitBit usage.
1) It syncs with MFP, however, I do log any major workout I do in a day (example- if I go on the elliptical, wearing my HRM, I log that. But when I go for a walk/jog in the evening, I do not log that, but everything still syncs)
2) I wear my One on my bra, and I get my steps in. I haven't had a problem with steps not logging. However, I know when I would go on walks with someone who uses a Flex, they have to keep their wrist free (which means they can't push a stroller and have accurate steps counted)
3) I've used a MOVband (thank jebus I got that for free at work, because if I paid for that, I would have rage flipped a table, that thing SUCKED) and my FitBit together to see the counts, and once again, the FitBit was more accurate with steps/miles (I would use an app on my phone to map walks, and the FitBit was more in sync with that than the MOVband)

So, for me, I really like my FitBit, and glad that I got it. (knock on wood) I also haven't lost it, once. Which is impressive, because I would lose my head if it wasn't attached to my neck (I also know I get a decent amount of steps in looking for things I've misplaced... srsly.)

SpecialSundae

I've got a FitBit and I love it. I use an HRM during workouts, but my calories in/out vs weight lost is pretty close (around a 50 calorie per day range of error, which on a 2000ish calorie diet isn't bad).

redwolf6

Bump