FitBit or HRM?

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Replies

  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Depends...fitbit is great for tracking overall calories...not so great for managing fitness goals. You need a HRM to manage fitness goals...i.e. workout zones to avoid over train or under train.

    This. I have both and love both for completely different reasons. The Fitbit is only accurate for walking, not high intensity workouts.
  • rocket_ace
    rocket_ace Posts: 380 Member
    fitbit is much easier - quite consistent - HRM is if you are uber training and can take the added time needed to take measurements...plus can't really wear HRM's all day...
  • VictoriaWorksOut
    VictoriaWorksOut Posts: 195 Member
    Depending on what is your activity type. Fitbit measures steps and calculates calories, which I found not to be exactly correct if compared with HRM for when I run. When I workout like cardio DVD, Crodd Fit Class Fit Bit is way off as far as calories go (converted from steps recorded). I wear FitBit through the day to get my 10 000 steps and wear HRM when excercise to get calories burned correct.
    If you link FitBit account with MFP, you can enter time you start workout and calories burned, and it will adjust Fitbit calories automatically. Otherwise FitBit will give you additional calories to eat as you walk/run through the day.
  • hotmama1174
    hotmama1174 Posts: 109 Member
    I have both. I use the HRM for tracking my workouts (the fir bit in not accurate at all) and the fitbit for tracking my steps. Love them both!!!!
  • AlyssaJoJo
    AlyssaJoJo Posts: 449 Member
    I have both and use both. I love my Fitbit! It makes me move around more. The bf has one and we battle it out. I still use my HRM for certain work outs. When I'm doing something with a strong cardio then I put on my HRM because I know my Fitbit isn't even going to be close.
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.

    Fitbits do not support Wifi in any capacity. It only syncs via the Bluetooth dongle or via the Fitbit app on iPhone 4S/5, iPad Retina, or Samsung Galaxy S3/Note 2.
  • t2kburl
    t2kburl Posts: 123 Member
    I liked the Fitbit at first, but then my calories started double counting on MFP for a while and I didn't catch it until I had put a few lbs back on.
    Really, though, I'd have to say the only thing the Fitbit is all that good for is figuring out how to categorize your routine daily activities. Once you have established that, it is pretty much useless. Other, occasional, activities can be tracked by something like the HRM or Endomondo instead.
    I also have a Polar FT7 and I use it every day for my workouts. It has helped me tremendously! Especially during Insanity, where I wasn't eating nearly enough early on.
  • tinboy
    tinboy Posts: 121 Member
    I have a Garmin Forerunner 405CX, used it for awhile, then it got to be too complicated for what I wanted. Have been wearing my FitBit one since I got it about a month ago. It is very good to keep me active. I haven't decided if the sleep monitor is even accurate, it is a cool idea, and I have lots of problems with insomnia. As I get more fit and active, I may start using my Garmin again in addition to the FitBit. I clip the Fitbit to my bra with the actual device inside and the clip part on the outside; have not had any problems with losing it or it coming lose, or even close to putting it in the washing machine.
  • tryinghard71
    tryinghard71 Posts: 593
    I use both.
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.

    Fitbits do not support Wifi in any capacity. It only syncs via the Bluetooth dongle or via the Fitbit app on iPhone 4S/5, iPad Retina, or Samsung Galaxy S3/Note 2.

    WiFi... Bluetooth dongle... w/e. Wrong choice of words - same result. The software for it is garbage and doesn't sync properly. Also didn't sync properly with its own app or MFP's app on the iPod Touch.
  • staceyw73
    staceyw73 Posts: 49
    I love my fitbit. I noticed the other day they are selling them in the stores now.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.

    Fitbits do not support Wifi in any capacity. It only syncs via the Bluetooth dongle or via the Fitbit app on iPhone 4S/5, iPad Retina, or Samsung Galaxy S3/Note 2.

    WiFi... Bluetooth dongle... w/e. Wrong choice of words - same result. The software for it is garbage and doesn't sync properly. Also didn't sync properly with its own app or MFP's app on the iPod Touch.

    I find the software excellent. The fact that you had a bad experience and couldn't get it to work - apparently without engaging their reportedly excellent customer service - for almost a month doesn't mean it's garbage.
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.

    Fitbits do not support Wifi in any capacity. It only syncs via the Bluetooth dongle or via the Fitbit app on iPhone 4S/5, iPad Retina, or Samsung Galaxy S3/Note 2.

    WiFi... Bluetooth dongle... w/e. Wrong choice of words - same result. The software for it is garbage and doesn't sync properly. Also didn't sync properly with its own app or MFP's app on the iPod Touch.

    I find the software excellent. The fact that you had a bad experience and couldn't get it to work - apparently without engaging their reportedly excellent customer service - for almost a month doesn't mean it's garbage.

    Actually, I did engage their customer service - thanks for asking. Their response was canned and made zero difference in how the software was working for me. Why so defensive about someone else's experience? Jeez. People want ALL opinions, not just yours. :yawn:
  • seriouslylosingit
    seriouslylosingit Posts: 3
    Love them both, but the FitBit is always attached... I have only had it a couple of weeks and it has really been eye opening regarding my activity level. I am still trying to figure out all of the math when I sync, but love love love... I use my HRM when I run just to make sure I am within a safe range. I would love to add any of you as friends. I need all of the support I can get... We all do!
  • ShawnNhGa1977
    ShawnNhGa1977 Posts: 56 Member
    I have a FitBit Zip and would not recommend it. It has a lot of issues with syncing properly (at one point it went 3 weeks without syncing over wifi like it was supposed to be). I'm actually considering putting mine on eBay because I just don't find it all that useful.

    Fitbits do not support Wifi in any capacity. It only syncs via the Bluetooth dongle or via the Fitbit app on iPhone 4S/5, iPad Retina, or Samsung Galaxy S3/Note 2.

    WiFi... Bluetooth dongle... w/e. Wrong choice of words - same result. The software for it is garbage and doesn't sync properly. Also didn't sync properly with its own app or MFP's app on the iPod Touch.

    I find the software excellent. The fact that you had a bad experience and couldn't get it to work - apparently without engaging their reportedly excellent customer service - for almost a month doesn't mean it's garbage.

    Actually, I did engage their customer service - thanks for asking. Their response was canned and made zero difference in how the software was working for me. Why so defensive about someone else's experience? Jeez. People want ALL opinions, not just yours. :yawn:

    Amen
    I got the HRM and I am just tryin to learn it but i think i got the hang of it i got mine at walmart.com for $32.15 after tax and had it shipped to the store for free
  • riskiestlavonn
    riskiestlavonn Posts: 207 Member
    Loving my fitbit! Such a great tool for motivating yourself.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    After researching both, I bought a fitbit. Great tracker of steps, calories, and general activity level. Does not measure heart rate. If you want the hear rate measurement for a true calorie burned - the HRM is the right choice. If you want a motivator to be more active and to track that activity level, I'd go with the fitbit. It you are looking for both...you guessed it, you need both.
  • mk834
    mk834 Posts: 17 Member
    Thanks for the great information, everyone!
  • mikeyrs
    mikeyrs Posts: 176 Member
    After researching both, I bought a fitbit. Great tracker of steps, calories, and general activity level. Does not measure heart rate. If you want the hear rate measurement for a true calorie burned - the HRM is the right choice. If you want a motivator to be more active and to track that activity level, I'd go with the fitbit. It you are looking for both...you guessed it, you need both.

    After researching the FitBit and the striiv Smart Pedometer, I bought the striiv Smart Pedometer as I found its software is incredible for motivating me to be active and remain active. Its software challenges you to beat your best efforts in walking, running, and climbing, you can compete against others or the device itself, and gain points that can be converted into charitable donations. The software ups its challenges as it learns of your fitness progress through use. It features both a sensitive accelerometer and an altimeter for tracking steps, runs, and scrambles up hills. It's just a great motivational and fitness device for walking, running, and climbs (stairs and steep ascents of hills and walls).

    If you just want to try the software first, striiv offers a free iPhone / iPod App that employs similar software but it does not register changes in altitude unless you purchase a supplementary device called the striiv Play. If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, try the free striiv App before you buy anything. You will probably like it as much as I did.

    After using the iPhone App, I was so impressed that I elected to go all out and buy the striiv Smart Pedometer for $80 instead of buying the striiv Play for use with my iPod Touch. No regrets as the striiv Smart Pedometer is with me all day and most of the night and always challenging me based on my current activity level. I do over 10,000 steps each workday and in excess of 20,000 steps a day during the weekend because the software motivates me through behavioral observation and continuous performance assessment. The Smart Pedometer device software is awesome and when you sync with your PC, everything is automatically backed up, updated, and rebooted for trouble-free operation.

    My reported calorie burns from the striiv Smart Pedometer for walking so far correlate fairly close to that reported by my new Polar FT7 which I currently use for high-effort cardio work on Arc Trainer machines at the gym, circuit training, and eventually this Spring, road cycling. Find more info about striiv at http://www.striiv.com/products/striiv/

    The FT7 was a great buy at $90 for my needs. It's chest strap and sensor is compatible with the Arc Trainer machines at my gym, and it also works with the Digifit App for the iPhone without a supplementary ANT device, making it economically a best buy for my needs. However, Digifit does charge $2.99 for the Polar FT7 sensor driver. But that's a bargain compared to a separate attachment to transfer data to your PC. I'm very satisfied with both of my purchases so far.

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