Does anyone use FitBit or Body Media

I am curious if these are accurate and helpful. I would like to know how many calories I really burn exercising and if numbers are close to what MFP says.

Thanks :)
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Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I have a FitBit - it tracks all day and how many steps you take. I love it.

    If you want to track exercise that isn't step related - like weights or something that uses the arms a lot you'd be better off w/an HRM.

    I have both - because they each have their own use.
  • karengion
    karengion Posts: 13 Member
    Where do you purchase these from ? Could you tell me what HRM is I am unfamiliar to that term and just on my journey to loose weight 4 weeks now.
  • ReinaLorenz
    ReinaLorenz Posts: 88 Member
    HRM is a heart rate monitor
  • I have a BodyMedia, and my exercise was WAY off from what MFP predicts. Which is HUGE because a lot of people eat back exercise calories. Its also eye opening to see what you, "think" you're doing during the day vs what you're actually doing. I have found it really helpful in keeping me motivated and have lost 10lbs in 3 weeks since using it. I am sedentary most days, and it keeps me on target with a 1000 calorie deficit, and lets me know if I am on track with what I should be/want to lose.
  • Ed98043
    Ed98043 Posts: 1,333 Member
    I just ordered a FitBit on Ebay so I'm waiting for it to arrive. I marked "sedentary" on my MFP profile, but I really want to know what I burn in an average day because I think I'm below sedentary. At least people with desk jobs have to commute, etc...I work a desk job at home so my commute is walking about 30 feet. This time of year I don't even have yard work to do so I'm a total slug.

    Hopefully when I have the data I can make a more informed decision regarding my best caloric intake, and maybe if/when I find out that I only burn about as much energy as someone in coma it'll shock me into exercising. lol
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    i absolutely love my FitBit Ultra. I got it for my birthday in August and have worn it every day but twice. The two days without it I felt completely out of sync. I'm completely used to automatically getting my normal exercise tracked for me, I'm pretty spoiled. I don't use it for weight lift training or exercise videos but for walks/runs and daily use it is amazing. I thought I was walking a lot less than I really am and it has helped motivate me to take longer walks, pace around while I'm in line, etc. I wish my FitBit had the added feature of bluetooth syncing that the new FitBit One has but other than that I'm 100% in love with it.
  • 10kaday
    10kaday Posts: 177
    I just got my Fitbit 5 days ago or so and it totally motivates me to move. The great thing about it is that it automatically syncs with MFP so you don't have to think about it. Set your profile to sedentary and keep fitbit clipped to the inside of your pocket all day long. It will soon show you are not sedentary at all. But on the days you want a break, keeping your profile at sedentary keeps your calories accurate for those days too.
  • KittyKarma31
    KittyKarma31 Posts: 15 Member
    I agree with what everyone says about Fitbit Ultra. I love mine and I even have the Aria for tracking my weight. The way it works with MFP is flawless. I have recommended it to several people and they ended up really liking there's.
  • karengion
    karengion Posts: 13 Member
    Are they very expensive?
  • stevenleagle
    stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
    I'm a new fitbit owner too, it's awesome. Feel free to send me an invite (10kaday already a long time Mfp pal - and I concur with his post)
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    I have the Body Media Fit and love it. I was surprised to learn how many calories I burn on a daily basis even without exercise. It has been very helpful to me in my weightloss.
  • stevenleagle
    stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
    Are they very expensive?

    They are pricey but not prohibitively so. They range from around $60 to $120 but I guess it also depends on the country. I'm in Australia and paid $130Aus for my Fitbit One which is a better model. Totally worth it but beware - budget for a few of them as they are easy to lose!
  • Fitness4Paul
    Fitness4Paul Posts: 166 Member
    I'm a fitbit user and love it. I use it for tracking daily activity and let the fitbit calorie adjustment tell me where I stand for my required calorie intake. I also use the Fitbit Aria scale. All work really well with MFP.. I wear a HR monitor for cardio exercise. They should have a slogan "Fitbit-Don't leave home without it" ....... Wait someone already used that....
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    I've been using my Fitbit for about 18 months and love it. I also use Nike + when I run as that allows actual GPS tracking of distance and routes as well as linking to my Polar HRM.
  • Ed98043
    Ed98043 Posts: 1,333 Member
    Are they very expensive?

    I paid $90 with shipping on eBay for a new FitBit Ultra. There are also some people selling used ones or "open package" ones for less.
  • dguz21
    dguz21 Posts: 12 Member
    I have the Body Media and like it a lot.
  • karengion
    karengion Posts: 13 Member
    Thank you for the information. I just went from a completely sedentary job/life to one of walking all day and I am a full time student. So outside of work I don't get time to exercise. I started walking the stairs instead of riding the elevator and I don't have a clue how to track this. I bought a pocket pedometer and it broke within the week. That was $30 down the drain. I will look into purchasing one of the Fitbits. Is there one that is better than another?
  • wikitbikit
    wikitbikit Posts: 518 Member
    I have a BodyMedia Fit and it is super groovy. I don't remember specifically why I chose it over the FitBit--I think the FitBit may be cheaper and doesn't require a monthly membership fee--but I have not regretted it for even a moment.

    Here is a comparison thingie from the BodyMedia site: http://www.bodymedia.com/Products/Learn-More/Compare
  • karengion
    karengion Posts: 13 Member
    I have a BodyMedia Fit and it is super groovy. I don't remember specifically why I chose it over the FitBit--I think the FitBit may be cheaper and doesn't require a monthly membership fee--but I have not regretted it for even a moment.

    Here is a comparison thingie from the BodyMedia site: http://www.bodymedia.com/Products/Learn-More/Compare

    So what is the benefit of a monthly membership?
  • wikitbikit
    wikitbikit Posts: 518 Member
    Well... It's not exactly a benefit, but you can't use it without the membership. ;) I got 6 months free when I purchased it though, which I think is the norm. The interface is really nice, but I can't compare it to the (free) FitBit, not having had one.
  • galvestongal
    galvestongal Posts: 186 Member
    I just got a BodyMedia Fit Link. I LOVE IT! I am amazed by how it tracks everything from steps taken to my sleep cycle. The user interface is fantastic and easy to comprehend and learn from. The ONLY issue I have is with the iphone app. The app worked awesome at first but now has locked me out and I am waiting for tech help from BodyMedia. But the device itself is the bomb!
  • Have both......much prefer the fitbit one.
  • Jayme34
    Jayme34 Posts: 160 Member
    I have the fitbit "one" and love it! i paid $99 at the "apple" store. They sell out very quickly though. It is worth every cent, the motivation i get from it is amazing. I love that it syncs to MFP and to my PC. I highly recommend it.

    you can also order it off the fitbit website! they have a newer model coming out in april called the fitbit flex and it will be a bracelet type. They are preordering now on the website.
  • kimanne4
    kimanne4 Posts: 52 Member
    I have a FitBit and it is amazing at motivating me to move more. I love the website so I can compete with friends for steps. The only thing I don't like is I don't have the Ultra so it doesn't sync until I get home at night and while it adjusts my calories on MFP it doesn't show it in the newsfeed. I like telling people I've been working out! I run mostly so I use the FitBit to log my burn. I couldn't be without one now. I'll always be a MFP/FitBit woman:)
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I have a FitBit - it tracks all day and how many steps you take. I love it.

    If you want to track exercise that isn't step related - like weights or something that uses the arms a lot you'd be better off w/an HRM.

    I have both - because they each have their own use.

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^This, fitbit for 24/7 use, HRM for workouts.
  • msjessielynn
    msjessielynn Posts: 42 Member
    I have the Body Media Core and I love it. Its got alot of information on it, not to mention since you wear it practically all the time, it motivates you to move:)
  • Jayme34
    Jayme34 Posts: 160 Member
    $99 for the fitbit "one"
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Fitbit is ruining my life.


    That said, I highly recommend it. Seriously addictive. Totally changes how you view being active during the day (and how you sleep at night, if you don't already use a sleep monitor).
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Used to have a FitBit and found it to be incredibly inaccurate. Switched to the BodyMedia FIT LINK and never looked back; immensely accurate, and worth the monthly subscription IMO.
  • wikitbikit
    wikitbikit Posts: 518 Member
    From my geekish POV, BodyMedia vs FitBit is kind of like the difference between Nook and Kindle... or Samsung and iPad... or PC and Mac. Most people will be just as happy with one as the other, but there are minute geek differences. :)