HRM? Fit bit? Jawbone? Nike? Help!

Hi Brie-
I use a bodymedia arm band. It's just like the fitbit, it tracks your steps, calories burned and how long you are active. I think it has definitely helped me stay motivated. When I notice my steps are low or am low on my calorie burn, I am more apt to throw in a extra workout. I have been on this road for about 3 months and I still haven't hit plateaued. I definitely think the arm band has a little something to do with it.

Btw, I sent you a FR.

I have had a Fitbit One for just over a year and LOVE it!!!! It's really a great motivator and it's interesting to see what you burn just from your regular moving around. I also have a Wahoo HRM (which syncs to my iphone). I like that, too. I had initially gotten a Polar HRM, but it wasn't accurate (I have a bunch of different walks I do....and the burn would be all over the place even though the distance was the same and the time was off by a minute or so which is negligible over a 4-5 mile walk).

Only thing with the wahoo is that it since it syncs to the iphone, the iphone has to be in range. Occasionally, if doing some workout other than walking where I can't hold my phone, it will disconnect.

I love my Nike Fuel but it does not connect with MFP. It tracks calories, but the main goals are based on "fuel points." It's just kind of fun to have a different goal to meet that is more around fitness rather than just calorie tracking. Though I do love the calorie tracking feature!

Bump!! Wanna buy one in a few weeks so still shopping around

Marking. I've been waiting to purchase to see what comes out this spring/summer. I don't have the $$ to buy multiple ones if I hate something.

Hey there,

I've had a fitbit flex since August and I really like it. I don't where mine in the shower unless I forget to take it off, and I find that if the band does get water in it your activity level isn't monitored as well. (aka missing steps)

The fitbit is great for just everyday activity like walking around at work and running for distance (<3miles). HOWEVER, the fitbit flex version that I have will not pick up activities such as: yoga, elliptical, cycling, anything that your legs are moving but your arms are not. I even have found that if I run farther than 3 miles, my fitbit stops picking up my steps as consistently.

I find that for more strenuous workouts like Zumba/long distance running/long elliptical burns that a Heart Rate Monitor is much more accurate at predicting how many calories you've burned. I've got a Polar FT4 model for that, and I LOVE IT! Only thing is, I can't wear the HRM all the time...it's really only useful for a planned strenuous workout session rather than walking around at work.

I'd say start out with the fitbit to get an accurate TDEE, and if you want to get a HRM later on for your heavy exercise burns then go for it.

I use the Bodymedia Armband. Best investment ever. Yes, there is a monthly subscription, and Yes - it appears big. However, it is very accurate and has been working like a charm for me. I have also used Fitbit in the past, and besides it not being accurate, that would be my next go-to device.

Another reason why I went with bodymedia is because it works better for a lot more exercises such as weights, cycling, etc. While the fitbit may not be very accurate with certain exercises.

I track my running workouts with Nike run but I also have a exerspy, which is the same as a bodybugg, just different name. I'm very happy with it. It does calories and steps so I know exactly what I'm burning. MFP is way off on their estimations. But my friend has a Fitbit and loves it. My exerspy also has a display so I can see how I'm progressing throughout the day. :bigsmile:

I'm interested in thsi topic as well. I bought a fiturbo to save money instead of getting the fitbit I now want..biggest factor fiturbo doesn't link up to anything and the website still has many technology issues. It does seem accurate for steps adn sleep activity but I hate having to go to multiple places to try and figure out what I've done or haven't done.. I have a blackberry phone (insert humorous gasp) so nto much of anythign sync's with it but a fitbit would at least sunc with MFP, which I love and have used for a couple years. If there is somethign better then fitbit products without having to spend big money then please let me know. I'm not one to spend $$ on my self often and now regret getting the fiturbo instead of spending just a little more to get a fitbit one at minimum!

Exercise wise I'm a walker with occasional zumba/aerobics due to spinal damamge so most likely don't need a HRM at this point. Not sure what I will eb doing in a few months if my back surgery get approved by insurance and I have less pain.

I just went through the same debate last week. I went to REI and spoke to a "specialist" for over an hour about what was the right fit for me. I started by looking at fitbit, but I really wanted a HRM, so I wound up going with the Garmin vivofit. Keeping in mind that I've only had it for a few days, I really like it. It's got a clock, shows the date, has a pedometer (that calculates steps, miles, and calories burned - you can also set goals), and syncs with your phone or computer as often as you want, and also connects to a HRM (chest strap) via bluetooth.

The only downside is that it doesn't sync with MFP. It includes your BMR, so I just back my BMR out of the total calorie count when I log. As I get to use it more, I may track just what is burned when I'm wearing the HRM (as legitimate exercise vs. steps walked). This is really easy to figure out by all of the data that's provided - super comprehensive.

I should add that the app is great. It's really comprehensive and will give you some fab data, especially if you use the HRM. I'm looking forward to watching my fitness improve by checking the charts and seeing how my body responds weight-loss-wise to different trends in my heart rate during exercise. I'm also interested to see what my heart rate is during strength training and how that impacts my fat loss.

Good luck!