How Accurate do you Think FitBits are?

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Replies

  • jme6976
    jme6976 Posts: 49 Member
    I don't have fitbit but have the bodymedia fit core and I'd say its pretty accurate. I have used for about 1.5 months so far and my weight loss has really sped up since using it (12 lbs since getting it.) It claims 90% accuracy. I love it.
  • Rachelmilloy
    Rachelmilloy Posts: 159 Member
    Bump
  • Markguns
    Markguns Posts: 554 Member
    I don't know about Fit bit but I'd reduce my cal by 100-200 and see what happens next week. Or increase your exercise and stay at 1800.
  • Querian
    Querian Posts: 419 Member
    I've have mine for about 6 weeks and I really do think it is quite accurate. Mind you I still log exercise into MFP which the Fitbit picks up and adds to my total. You can look at my diary to see how I'm doing it. I feel like it kind of learned from me over time so maybe in the beginning it wasn't quite as accurate as a few weeks in.

    I have heard from a couple of friends in maintenance that it isn't as good for that but I am doubtful. I love mine and I plan to keep checking how accurate it is each month.

    This first month I had it according to my calorie deficit (calories in versus calories out) I should have lost 5.2 pounds and in actuality I lost 5.4 pounds and that is pretty much spot on in my opinion. I will keep checking it every month though and posting my monthly results on my status updates.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Ok I just did a test.


    HRM 3 workouts. Coming into a total of 557 cals

    FItbit for the same time.... total of 535 cals. That's not so much of a difference & very pleasing to know.

    I did 50 mins of sprints/running, 24 mins of walk at home (I'm kinda sick & was not feeling it today) and 7min of dance walk (once again still not feeling it so that'w when I went outside & did my run/sprints for 50min.

    Now for all of that, and I'd done nothing else all day..... the calories were almost spot on. Even picked up the distance correctly (I know that running for 50min for me is 10km)
  • Bonny619
    Bonny619 Posts: 311 Member
    I would say very accurate for TDEE. Mine will be anywhere from 1800-2400 depending on my activity.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I have the fitbit ultra and I'm finding the total calorie burn pretty accurate. I generally eat about what the fitbit says I burn and I've maintained the same weight for four months. That is proof in the pudding.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Glad to know people are finding it accurate. I'm gonna track my cals for a couple weeks and see what I average and see if I need to adjust my food calories. Anyone figured out how to 'delete' the steps and stairs it thinks you take while driving?
  • Bonny619
    Bonny619 Posts: 311 Member
    I find them to be very minimal so I don't worry too much about them. But if it were an excessive amount I would try to delete.
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Bump to read later
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    Glad to know people are finding it accurate. I'm gonna track my cals for a couple weeks and see what I average and see if I need to adjust my food calories. Anyone figured out how to 'delete' the steps and stairs it thinks you take while driving?
    I don't actually get those driving extras, but if you do - make note of the time you get in and out of the car (you could use the timer on your FB for this). Then log the "driving" activity for that time. I'm not sure it will remove steps and stairs, but it does adjust the calories accordingly.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    I tried to log that time as driving but it ADDED calories?
  • Bonny619
    Bonny619 Posts: 311 Member
    Just ignore them. Look at them as the steps from when you have your fitbit off, like getting ready to shower...etc.
  • CriticalValue196
    CriticalValue196 Posts: 35 Member
    It's actually quite accurate! For those users with other devices, or who are thinking of picking up a lifestyle tracker, here's a great article I read this morning (when I was thinking about changing to an UP rather than a Flex): http://www.getgrok.com/2013/01/a-comparative-review-28-days-with-the-fitbit-one-jawbone-up-nike-fuelband-and-bodymedia-link/
  • stephv38
    stephv38 Posts: 203 Member
    Bump for future reference
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
    This is an interesting comparison between devices.

    http://www.getgrok.com/2013/01/a-comparative-review-28-days-with-the-fitbit-one-jawbone-up-nike-fuelband-and-bodymedia-link/

    Good article. Thanks.

    I don't have one yet but I've been researching for quite a while & everything I read continues to confirm that the FitBit One would be the best choice for me.

    I love the idea of being able to put it on, leave it on 24/7 & forget about it but I won't consider anything that is going to be visible. I'm a professional & all the wrist/arm ones would be inappropriate, not to mention none of them are very fashionable.

    Best Buy does price matching so I will most likely get mine there since there is a BB near where I live.
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    I tried to log that time as driving but it ADDED calories?

    It will show the activity with a number of calories, BUT that number of calories should REPLACE the fake burn from driving. You can test this as follows:
    1. Check the calorie count on your FB (assuming it has a display).
    2. Log the activity.
    3. Sync.
    4. Check the calorie count again. It should be lower than before.

    If it doesn't work, sorry, I haven't had the problem myself and that's the best I know from reading other people's issues on FB's forum.

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