Tell me about FitBit

BajaDreamin333
BajaDreamin333 Posts: 267 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm considering buying a FitBit. Who can tell if/how the work? I've used a BodyBugg and didn't like many of the features and the thing was really time consuming to download data. I am concerned about accuracy, ease of use, and how the heck does it know what you're burning? Any advise?
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Replies

  • chatogal
    chatogal Posts: 436 Member
    I have one on order....havnt a clue just yet...so interested to see any replies
  • divediva2
    divediva2 Posts: 297 Member
    I have had a Fit bit Ultra for a year and just replace it with the Fit Bit One. It is great. Very accurate, easy to use. It syncs with my lap top wirelessly and I have the app on my iPhone 4S so it can sync on the go!

    I wear it clipped to the centre of my bra. You can wear it on your belt, or pocket but I think it might pop off and be lost easily there. There is a Flex, which is a bracelet you can wear. I know the Fit Bit uses the information you input when you set it up, your age, sex, height and weight. As you lose it knows. As for how it determines steps and calories burns, well that is the magic I suppose! I know it uses an altimeter for measuring stairs so if you use an escalator it will register, and I notice if I walk hills it registers as stairs! I have done some tests for step accuracy and it is accurate. There have been other topics with links to reviews that are very favourable.

    The customer service people have been great to help whenever I have needed it, minor issues with set up but easily remedied with some guidance. My Ultra was replaced free of charge as it was defective, that was a nice perk. I think the company really stands behind it's product.

    I have it linked with MyFitnessPal so it knows my activity, and adjusts my calories, you don't have to link them but it is handy.

    Enjoy your Fit Bits!
  • rwc4912
    rwc4912 Posts: 35 Member
    Read my replies in page 2 of the other thread
    This thing is awesome with a smartphone
    Can't say enough good things about it

    Technically speaking its an accelerometer that tracks relative motion in chunks of time.
    Takes that info with your height, weight, gender, and age to calculate a calorie burn.
    Pretty dang accurate if you ask this engineer.
    I love mine and think it is a valuable tool that fits well with MFP
  • kMcMahan2010
    kMcMahan2010 Posts: 41
    I'm considering buying a FitBit as well. Interested in replies. Anyone have a preference of the one vs the flex (or even the cheaper one, the zip I think?)
  • inky409
    inky409 Posts: 26 Member
    I've been using one for quite some time now. I had the fitbit one and just got the fitbit zip. I love it! I'm never without it. I live the FB zip because it's little (easy to hide from view); can see my progress on screen; syncs effortlessly with my iphone; i got the pink one which i love pink! :-)
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    I just replaced my FitBit Ultra with a Body Media (same price). FitBit is a glorified pedometer. It just estimates how many calories you are burning. I wanted something that was more accurate.
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    I have the Zip because they were the "accessory of the month" where my SO works and I got a significant discount, so I thought why not.

    I think it works pretty well. I wear it on my pocked or clipped inside my pants (although I do have problems the days I wear dresses - not often) and never had any problems with laundry or washing.

    I find it tracks my calories pretty accurately outside of exercise. For exercise I wear a heart rate monitor and it shows I burn about half what the fitbit says in that time. ( I create an activity record on the fitbit website so it doesn't count those calories in my daily overall, and then I log what my HRM says separately on MFP) But as far as regular speed walks, etc., it works well.

    It does help me be conscious of my steps and how active I am and I like that. I don't think I would really need anything fancier than the Zip. Only downside is that it has a battery instead of the USB recharge, but I've had it a couple months and haven't had to replace it yet.
  • iquiltoo
    iquiltoo Posts: 246 Member
    I have one on order....havnt a clue just yet...so interested to see any replies

    Me too!
  • rwc4912
    rwc4912 Posts: 35 Member
    I just replaced my FitBit Ultra with a Body Media (same price). FitBit is a glorified pedometer. It just estimates how many calories you are burning. I wanted something that was more accurate.

    It is the same price but the body media has a subscription fee to get and use your own data
    Thought hat was complete and utter BS
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    Just ordered my FitBit One on Thursday. I read a lot of articles to come to that decision.

    I didn't go with Jawbone UP because my cell phone doesn't support it.

    I didn't go with BodyMedia because it's a monthly subscription.

    Nike Fuelband didn't get good reviews either.

    Fitbit faired best, so that's the one I went with in about the 7 articles I read.
  • judychicken
    judychicken Posts: 937 Member
    Bump
  • ttiiggzz
    ttiiggzz Posts: 154 Member
    Only downside is that it has a battery instead of the USB recharge, but I've had it a couple months and haven't had to replace it yet.

    I don't see that as a downside with the Zip, but rather a plus. I like not having to recharge the Zip. I've had mine since February and boy does it have me more active! My dd, OTOH, prefers her One since it calculates stairs climbed and sleep quality.

    Radio Shack had Fitbits on sale in the store when I was in there the other week. Not sure if they're still on sale or not.
  • Pinkylee77
    Pinkylee77 Posts: 432 Member
    I have the Fitbit one and love it the only thing about it that does but me is that if I am very active early in the day I earn extra calories to eat but in the evening when I am sitting down those extra calories start disappearing. I feel like if I earn calories from activity then I should be able to use them for some extra calories for a snack.
  • Neshmi
    Neshmi Posts: 42 Member
    I have the Fitbit one and love it the only thing about it that does but me is that if I am very active early in the day I earn extra calories to eat but in the evening when I am sitting down those extra calories start disappearing. I feel like if I earn calories from activity then I should be able to use them for some extra calories for a snack.

    this is what i'm learning too. it confused me at first, but i see what's going on now.
  • AnJulNZ
    AnJulNZ Posts: 186 Member
    I'm considering buying a FitBit One, but it sounds quite confusing with negative calories etc and ending up with exercise double entered into MFP. Is it easy to understand? I don't want to overcomplicate this!!
  • BajaDreamin333
    BajaDreamin333 Posts: 267 Member
    Ok, so is it really just a glorified pedometer the ? I was hoping to get more accurate burn numbers of my workouts, but that is always more than just steps.....
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Ok, so is it really just a glorified pedometer the ? I was hoping to get more accurate burn numbers of my workouts, but that is always more than just steps.....

    If you want something for just workouts, then you probably want a HRM. Keep in mind though, that even a HRM is only good for cardio. There really is no accurate way to estimate a calorie burn when weight lifting.

    A fitbit is a daily activity tracker and will tell you your approximate TDEE for the day. I actually have both a HRM and fitbit zip. I wear my zip at all times and use my HRM for any cardio workouts. The combined information gives me a more accurate TDEE than I could estimate myself. It only takes a couple mins to sync. As for the batteries, I found a 5 pack of energizers for $4 on amazon with free shipping. It definitely motivates me to move more, but as I said before, if you are only concerned with workouts than you probably just want a HRM.
  • AlicesNirvanaHealthWellness
    AlicesNirvanaHealthWellness Posts: 111 Member
    Bump
  • auttied07
    auttied07 Posts: 1
    I just got a fitbit one and LOVE it. It motivates me the move more often and syncs up (most of the time) with myfitnesspal. Its a great way to keep track of what you do and to keep you moving. Well worth the money!!
  • Liz_Mfp
    Liz_Mfp Posts: 172 Member
    I'm new to FITBIT but I have the ONE and find it's worth it for the Motivation
    :-)
  • ashleykawalek
    ashleykawalek Posts: 20 Member
    Do you wear it in the gym? Does it only count calories for walking and running or does it act like a heart rate monitor?
  • plinyard
    plinyard Posts: 1 Member
    Do you wear your fitbit and HRM at the same time during exercise? I haven't been able to figure this out and don't want to double dip
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    I bought a fitbit in January. Was overall disappointed in it, mainly because it's really a motivation tool, and I simply already was exercising and moving my body a lot. I didn't like the way it tracked exercise, it's not accurate for calorie burn in the way it tracks, it's not a HRM. It was fun watching steps, like on my 15 mile runs, just how many steps it was. I lost it one day out on a run in April. It's the FitBit One, which is very small. Mine came out of the sleeve. I really did love the sleep feature as it made me realize just how much my husbands sleep apnea was effecting my sleep patterns. When I lost it - I email them about cancelling my acccount. I'd had previous issues, and didn't really beleive it was accurate based on my numbers I was getting. I'd gotten tired of emailing them with issues and asked to cancel it becuase of a lost fitbit. I was extremely impressed by how they handled it. They offered me a replacement for the lost unit based on it falling out of my holder. They were extremely super to work with to keep me as a happy customer.

    I'd be interested in the flex, its a wristband and can be worn in the shower, however, in reading online on their facebook page, it seems like there are clearly unresolved issues with it and people are not as happy as with the one.
  • Liz_Mfp
    Liz_Mfp Posts: 172 Member
    Do you wear your fitbit and HRM at the same time during exercise? I haven't been able to figure this out and don't want to double dip

    I wear them both at the same time.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    You might find this article helpful:

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

    I love my fitbit and have barely missed a day wearing it since November when I got it. Great customer service too; they replaced it for free after I accidentally sent it through the washer :)
  • rassha01
    rassha01 Posts: 534 Member
    Thought I would throw in that I have a Fitbit Aria scale and it works great with MFP, no need to log weight and BF% manually!!! Also I want to get a flex but I already have a fuelband and can't justify dropping another $100 on a similar gadget = (.
  • ze_hombre
    ze_hombre Posts: 377 Member
    I had a Zip for a few months and upgraded to the Flex when it came out. So far I really like their service. I have some complaints, but they are minor. As others have posted, a HRM is much better for tracking cardio effort, so don't plan on it being a good judge for estimating TDEE while exercising, but its great for tracking the rest of the day when you aren't wearing your HRM.
  • BobOki
    BobOki Posts: 245 Member
    I have the Fitbit One (the newer one not wrist) and I love it. I had the ultra before it and loved it too. I have the fitbit aria scale and love it.
    I accidentally washed AND dried my fitbit and it still works without ANY issue.

    I cannot recommend ANY fitbit product more. Great product, syncs autmatically with MFP, WORKS, the web interface and Android app work GREAT. Everything about it is GREAT.
  • crubinetti
    crubinetti Posts: 53 Member
    I have had a Fit bit Ultra for a year and just replace it with the Fit Bit One. It is great. Very accurate, easy to use. It syncs with my lap top wirelessly and I have the app on my iPhone 4S so it can sync on the go!

    I wear it clipped to the centre of my bra. You can wear it on your belt, or pocket but I think it might pop off and be lost easily there. There is a Flex, which is a bracelet you can wear. I know the Fit Bit uses the information you input when you set it up, your age, sex, height and weight. As you lose it knows. As for how it determines steps and calories burns, well that is the magic I suppose! I know it uses an altimeter for measuring stairs so if you use an escalator it will register, and I notice if I walk hills it registers as stairs! I have done some tests for step accuracy and it is accurate. There have been other topics with links to reviews that are very favourable.

    The customer service people have been great to help whenever I have needed it, minor issues with set up but easily remedied with some guidance. My Ultra was replaced free of charge as it was defective, that was a nice perk. I think the company really stands behind it's product.

    I have it linked with MyFitnessPal so it knows my activity, and adjusts my calories, you don't have to link them but it is handy.

    Enjoy your Fit Bits!


    ^^^This exactly!! Just don't wear it when using a riding lawn mower or a golf cart. Other than that, VERY ACCURATE!
  • scrapjen
    scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
    I've had my Fitbit for over three years and I love it. I started with the Ultra and upgraded to the One. My mom now has one, she's getting one for my dad for Father's Day, and I got on for my 14 year old son (and he beats me in steps on a regular basis).

    The One does have a couple features the Zip does not, and to me it is worth it to get the sleep tracking function and the altimeter (stairs).

    I love the visual representation of my activity during the day, I can see the spikes for a workout, and see the lulls as well. I'm often motivated to add another "spike" to my graph.

    You can "record" an activity - start/stop the timer as you do a workout, then you can get more immediate feedback for just that time (steps, distance, calories burned). I've actually found my walking/elliptical workouts to be pretty close to the calorie burn given to me by my machine, or by manually logging at MFP. I've been pretty comfortable just letting the Fitbit do it's thing and let MFP know my activity burn for the day. I rarely log exercise at MFP (I will for bike or swimming, where the Fitbit doesn't read the activity as they are not step related).

    I had NOT been logging food at Fitbit, and was so happy to find MFP (which is so much easier) and I love how it transfers that data back to Fitbit. Now my Activity/Intake graph actually means something.

    As I am on MFP, I don't use Fitbit's food plan. I have my Fitbit SET to 1800 calories intake a day. It doesn't change, just decreases as I log food at MFP. Often I can actually go above that after my activity, but I do like to have that limit as just a self-control goal. I don't have the negative calories enabled on MFP as it is confusing ... I just get my basic calorie limit from MFP (I set it at sedentary, even though I am anything but) then as I exercise/move throughout the day, the activity from Fitbit adds calories.

    I'd recommend a Fitbit to anyone! Great combo with MFP.

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