fitbit to get one or not to get one? That is the question

VCWildberger
VCWildberger Posts: 35
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey I have been seeing all these pop-ups for fitbit and wanted to hear from people that have one if you like it or not and how it works or what is the best one they offer (the one that records sleep or not)?!?!

My biggest fear is that fitbit is a step counter that is easily trigred to count like the old ones back in the day as soon as you clicked it on it would count a few steps or if you bumped it, it would count as steps.

Any sugestions??

Thanks ;)

Replies

  • stefanieanne14
    stefanieanne14 Posts: 119 Member
    I personally didn't like mine. It is basically a step counter that isn't accurate for anything that isn't "step" focused. Mine worked fine for walking, jogging, step class & zumba but for anything else I found it didn't calculate my calories burned correctly. I much prefer my bodybugg.
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    Ok so what is bodybugg? By the way I should add that I do have a HRM already now....
  • RonitMig
    RonitMig Posts: 30 Member
    Just an FYI, the current FitBit is on sale for $80 at most retailers, and there is a new one coming out at the end of this month. I ordered one on-line yesterday before I realized there is a new one, so I will exchange this one for the new one at the end of the month.
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    Thank you for this info if I do get one I will wait for the end of the month!
  • kb119
    kb119 Posts: 18 Member
    I'm not sure if you would be interested, but I would like to upgrade my Body Media Fit with a newer model and sell my other. The one I have is actually very new, I bought it in the spring time. It's the advantage model. I would sell it for $65… a really good deal! Anyway, I love it and can't stand working out without using it since it's so nice to know how much you're really burning. I used to really overestimate my burn and it helps me to be more accurate with my calorie deficit. Message me if you're interested in talking about it further.
  • abasmom
    abasmom Posts: 49
    I have had my fitbit ultra for about 6months and I LOVE IT, BEST 100 I EVER SPENT :) The ONLY time I take it off is in the shower. It counts my steps, my fave part because it lets me see how active or inactive I have been all day, when the # is low I know I gotta get moving. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING ONE!!!!!
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    I have the Body Media Fit, which is similar to the Bodybugg. I have found it very helpful in my weightloss. It is very eyeopening to see how many calories I burn on a daily basis. The downfall is that it requires a monthly subscription fee. I just bought the Fitbit Zip and have found the calorie burn to be pretty similar to what my Body Media says. My subscription for Body Media is up in a couple weeks and I'm not going to renew it. I'm going to stick with the Fitbit.
  • annew1952
    annew1952 Posts: 77 Member
    I love mine but everyone has their opinion. I didn't know they are coming out with a new one. You have. to decide yourself. I use the. Fitbit and mfp together. If calories seem way over I take the lower one of the two. I have a very active lifestyle so I
    have a good idea of what calories I burn. So for me I don't eat over two thousand calories a day. When I don't do a thing
    I eat 1200. Calories. Of course there are days at parties I eat the best I can.
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    I have the Body Media Fit, which is similar to the Bodybugg. I have found it very helpful in my weightloss. It is very eyeopening to see how many calories I burn on a daily basis. The downfall is that it requires a monthly subscription fee. I just bought the Fitbit Zip and have found the calorie burn to be pretty similar to what my Body Media says. My subscription for Body Media is up in a couple weeks and I'm not going to renew it. I'm going to stick with the Fitbit.

    Thank you for this information I am not looking in to spending more money on a subscription fee. That is why I left weight watchers I felt like I was wasting money and got no where. I LIKE FREE!!
  • trackercasey76
    trackercasey76 Posts: 781 Member
    I love mine, the new one only adds water resistance(not water proof) and it will sync to your smart phone. If those features are important to you wait it out if not buy the ultra.
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    The zip also has the capability of syncing with Iphones and eventually Androids as well. It is $60 compared to $100 for the Ultra or One. It doesn't track sleep so if that is an important feature to you, then you would want the more expensive model.
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    Well I know I don't sleep well already I move all around (my hubby says I sleep on my head) so I don't know if I should have that feature or not?
  • princessdartany
    princessdartany Posts: 28 Member
    DON'T GET IT.....JUST ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS FOR PROFIT INSTRUMENT. DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW MANY STEPS YOU TAKE IN A DAY AS FAR AS BURNING CALORIES. IF YOU ARE EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING THE GENERAL CALORIC LOST FOR EXERCISING IS ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A CALORIC COUNT. THE RESULTS WILL BE SEEN IN THE MIRROR AND ON THE SCALE...NOT ON THE FITBIT. SPEND THAT MONEY ON GROCERIES AS HEALTHY EATING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN NOT.
  • dreilly501
    dreilly501 Posts: 1
    I've had a Fitbit Ultra since December and I love it. I use myfitnesspal to track my calorie intake and a whitings scale to track my weight. They both communicate with the Fitbit site. I use the Fitbit log to track my activities that do not use steps. Sleep tracking has really helped me. The only thing I don't like about it is that I can't sync it while traveling unless I bring a laptop along. The new Fitbit One takes care of that. The Fitbit Ultra has kept me on track. I'm not sure I would have lost as much as I have without it.

    Btw, if you get one, get something to keep it secure. Some people use a pedometer strap. I bought some cell phone straps on Amazon and hook it to my house key when I go out.
  • trackercasey76
    trackercasey76 Posts: 781 Member
    DON'T GET IT.....JUST ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS FOR PROFIT INSTRUMENT. DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW MANY STEPS YOU TAKE IN A DAY AS FAR AS BURNING CALORIES. IF YOU ARE EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING THE GENERAL CALORIC LOST FOR EXERCISING IS ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A CALORIC COUNT. THE RESULTS WILL BE SEEN IN THE MIRROR AND ON THE SCALE...NOT ON THE FITBIT. SPEND THAT MONEY ON GROCERIES AS HEALTHY EATING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN NOT.

    WHY ALL THE YELLING!!!!! Seriously she asked a simple question and alll caps is considered rude like YELLING at people
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    Thank you all for your input :smile:
  • CheekyRunner
    CheekyRunner Posts: 105 Member
    I see you said you all ready have a HRM. Why don't you wear it all day and at the end of the day record how many calories you burnt and the next day just set that as a number to beat. I have read a lot of posts about the fit bit and it seems like it is a numbers thing...like taking more steps the next day, which = being more active (thats good right) . You could do this with your HRM but make it calories burnt...the more active you are the higher your number will be. Hope that helps. =
  • tekne1
    tekne1 Posts: 30 Member
    I had a FitBit, but I ended up returning it because I was sick of it logging steps due to driving. You can edit that data, but it was just too fussy for me. Then I bought a BodyBugg SP (links with the iPhone) off eBay for about $50, but it was a crazy amount of money to get started on their website if you buy a used BodyBugg. You have to buy a "web only" subscription package, and then its $9.95 or so a month after that. So I sold it on eBay, and I bought a BodyMedia GoWear Fit off Craigslist for $15 (older model BodyMedia device). I'm finally satisfied. You get a free three month subscription on the BodyMedia website with no obligation, even for an old used BodyMedia device. After three months its $6.95/month, again with no obligation. Better yet, you can use free FreeTheBugg software with the device (does not work with BodyBugg SP or BodyMedia Fit Link bluetooth models) to avoid all subscription fees. The BodyBugg and BodyMedia devices do not link with MFP, but I simply log my gross calories on the BodyMedia site using an iPhone app at the end of the day. Not super fussy, and I have the data I want.
  • MassiveDelta
    MassiveDelta Posts: 3,271 Member
    Im sorry what was the question...I have a hard time paying attention
  • VCWildberger
    VCWildberger Posts: 35
    I see you said you all ready have a HRM. Why don't you wear it all day and at the end of the day record how many calories you burnt and the next day just set that as a number to beat. I have read a lot of posts about the fit bit and it seems like it is a numbers thing...like taking more steps the next day, which = being more active (thats good right) . You could do this with your HRM but make it calories burnt...the more active you are the higher your number will be. Hope that helps. =

    Thanks I may give this a try
  • InfiniteEcho
    InfiniteEcho Posts: 40 Member
    I bought a Fitbit last November and absolutely LOVE IT!!! I feel naked not wearing it everyday actually. I've not been disappointed with its capabilities other than the fact that I am not able to convert my steps to crutched steps which translates to a 2x more calorie burn. (Lol!!!) There is no subscription necessary and I loved having the ability to see what I did on a 9 day vacation in Paris without having to log on everyday. I was able to track my miles and steps and it synced 9 days perfectly upon return. I am so used to wearing it that I forgot to place it in the bin for x-ray at the airport and the Parisian TSA was not happy with me at all during the patdown...not at all! Oh well. I am happy to add that an MRI machine does not jazz it up either. I've seen posts where they've gone through the wash, fell in the toilet, the dog got them...some survived and some had to be put to rest. I realized I was wearing it during the MRI and was so angry with myself and was thinking how to scam my daughters but to my disbelief it came through with flying colors!
  • tmbowen12
    tmbowen12 Posts: 175 Member
    DON'T GET IT.....JUST ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS FOR PROFIT INSTRUMENT. DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW MANY STEPS YOU TAKE IN A DAY AS FAR AS BURNING CALORIES. IF YOU ARE EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING THE GENERAL CALORIC LOST FOR EXERCISING IS ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A CALORIC COUNT. THE RESULTS WILL BE SEEN IN THE MIRROR AND ON THE SCALE...NOT ON THE FITBIT. SPEND THAT MONEY ON GROCERIES AS HEALTHY EATING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN NOT.

    Actually you are wrong!! the Fitbit is a great tool to get people up and moving. And steps do count 10,000 steps is 5 miles. Alot of people have a fitbit (myself included) will testify it keeps you moving and the competition on the fitbit page with friends as to who can get more steps is fun. To the OP I love my fitty and i do have a HRM for cardio portions of my workouts. The fitbit is used as a pedometer for walking, running etc. It's a great little tool, I am happy I got it.
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    My biggest fear is that fitbit is a step counter that is easily trigred to count like the old ones back in the day as soon as you clicked it on it would count a few steps or if you bumped it, it would count as steps.

    It uses the same technology as the Wii remotes to determine position, altitude, speed, etc. All you have to do it put it on and it will count your steps, how many flights of stairs you go up, how many miles you walked, etc. As for being "bumped", I've heard of people who put it in their pockets who get false readings because the fitbit is jostled around so much but really, just clip it to an article of your clothing and you'll be fine.
    Why don't you wear it all day and at the end of the day record how many calories you burnt and the next day just set that as a number to beat.

    HRMs are not meant to be used in this fashion and if you aren't above a certain heart rate it won't give an accurate reading of calories burnt. A general idea of anyone's average daily calorie burn would be their TDEE and there are plenty of calculators out there to figure it out. Including the one this site already uses just by entering accurate information on your activity level.
    I should add that I do have a HRM already now....

    So do I actually (Polar FT7). I use my FitBit 24/7 to get a few extra calories here and there from chasing my son around and I use my HRM for my actual workouts. Has worked for me so far.
    DON'T GET IT.....JUST ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS FOR PROFIT INSTRUMENT. DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW MANY STEPS YOU TAKE IN A DAY AS FAR AS BURNING CALORIES. IF YOU ARE EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING THE GENERAL CALORIC LOST FOR EXERCISING IS ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A CALORIC COUNT

    Everyone needs different sorts of motivation. The fitbit is a great motivating tool and I don't regret one penny I spent on mine. I've been wearing it continuously now since February. If you have FitBit friends you can compare yourself on the leaderboard and maybe get a few extra steps in that day.
    I am happy to add that an MRI machine does not jazz it up either. I've seen posts where they've gone through the wash, fell in the toilet, the dog got them...some survived and some had to be put to rest. I realized I was wearing it during the MRI and was so angry with myself and was thinking how to scam my daughters but to my disbelief it came through with flying colors!

    Their customer service is awesome and from any experience I've had with them or read anyone else having with them they will more than likely just replace your broken FitBit with only a few questions. If the MRI had messed it up, I'm sure they would have replaced it :)

    OP I hope this helps! Good luck with your decision!

    http://www.fitbit.com/user/22HTZ2

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