Fitness Trackers?

The FitBit is awesome! Only gripe I have is that they are so flimsy. I went through three of them already. Debating getting another one. I liked it that you can sync it with your iPhone and easily view your reports on the go. If anything, though, it's like a sup'd up pedometer. You'd have to tweak the stride length to get more accurate results for things like running. I used it with my Garmin GPS watch but relied on the Garmin for more accurate mileage, etc.

I'm not sure about the newer models, but the BodyMedia device was worn on your arm. Not very discrete. More expensive too.

I've found the search function of these forums is pretty awesome. I was looking at fitness trackers last week, I searched through the forums and read several reviews and went with the Fitbit One. I should have it by the end of this week, there are A LOT to choose from, one of my main requirements was that it syncs with MFP. I liked the idea of one that could be worn on the wrist but several people didn't like that you can't look at your progress on those.

I tried briefly a wrist tracker (Fitbit Flex, for about a month) and own a clip (Withings Pulse). I find the clip more accurate. With the Flex I had the 10'000 steps a day quite easily. I had about 8'000 steps on a low day, so just had to move a bit more to achieve the 10K. With the clip it went dramatically down. 4'000 is a low day (like, going to campus, walking around for my classes and going home), 8'000 is a good but not very exercise-oriented day (add some groceries to the previous day, for me groceries mean 2x20min walk). 10'000 and more is really when I have no classes and go walking instead.
I'm a student, so I think the Flex tracked a lot of non-existent steps when I'm writing and just "desk jobing". Maybe it's only the Pulse under-counting my steps, but I think it's likely more the opposite. Also, and that's a personal preference, I don't like to have stuff on my arms and fingers. I have a tiny lady watch and a little bracelet too, never more jewellery than that, and I found the Flex (even if it's quite little) annoying. It's more easy to forget your clip when dressing/undressing, sure, but I feel more free without an additionnal thing on my wrist.

Here is my take:

If you want to know how many cals you roughly burn all day - Fitbit line
If you are a runner or stair climber and need GPS/altimiter - Garmin line
If you want to see how many cal burned during work outs - Polar /w chest strap line

Good luck

I got a fitbit flex for Xmas & love it. With something I had to clip on I was always forgetting to do that, but something I wear is awesome. Tracking my sleep patterns has been fascinating. I wish I had gotten the new force to have a watch, but overall I'm happy with the flex.

I would also reccomend you to buy a Fitbit, they're not really expensive, but give you a lot for that price

I have the fitbit flex and absolutely love it. It provides me the bulk of my motivation. With out it, I wouldn't have discovered this site when I did and probably would be not as far along as I am now in my weight loss.

I was torn between the Flex and the Force and here is how I made my decision:

- the extra $30 for the force was not a factor in my decision process, except for when it comes to replacement (see below)

Flex
Pros
1. Replaceable band
2. Water Resistant

Cons
1. No stair counter
2. No digital display

Force
Pros
1. Stair counter
2. Digital display

Cons
1. Less water resistance
2. Can't replace band (here is where the cost comes in. Break a flex band and it costs $15 for a new one, break a Force band and you're on the hook to replace the entire unit)


At the end of the day the band being replaceable won out, as I don't really need the stair counter and with the information being immediately available on my droid I don't need the digital display.