Fitness trackers...are they worth it?

BUMP! I would also like to hear from the peeps who have trackers

In the past I used Nike Plus and a HRM that provided calories burned. It isn't quite the same as FitBit but I found it pushed me to do more. For example if my NikePlus was saying 2.25 miles I would push myself to get to 2.5 or if my HRM said 450 calories I would continue until I got to 500.

My boyfriend bought me a FitBit Zip for last Christmas and I LOVE it. It's accurate and easy to use and you don't notice it on you during the day. It's kept me more honest with my food diary and helped me see that I needed to increase my weekly calorie deficit to continue to drop sizes.

Ditto!

I have the BodyMedia FIT, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is scary accurate in determining my daily calories burned, it syncs with MFP and it has way more sensors on it than just "step counting".

I have used a Bodybugg in the past and currently use the Polar Loop. To answer your question are they worth it, I would say depends on the person. I like it but I realize it's a tool and I could just as easily function without it but I like gadgets and if I wasn't using the Loop I would still be wearing my Polar F11. The Bodybugg I found to be awesome as far as if I was honest with my tracking my weight loss was where it was supposed to be. The only thing I didn't like about that was it was so obvious because of wearing it on my arm and I had the first generation so was constantly being asked about it and it was bigger then the current models but it worked very well.

As far as the Loop. I like it. I pair it with the chest strap during my workouts and I like the feedback it gives me. Much better now since there is an Android app for it.

I have a fitbit one. I used it at the beginning and found it really good now it just sits in my wardrobe on its lonesome, I now always use my heart rate monitor, as I find I do want want to track my usual activity, just my workouts.

I use a PolarFT4 and love it. Best $100 I've ever spent.

I love my Flex. It's not 100% accurate but none of them are. It pushes me to do more. I have a desk job and so I never realized how sedentary I was. It was eye opening for sure. Now I set my daily step goal and push to get it. Last night I was pretty far off so it pushed me to run for a while just to get my goal.

I got a fitbit flex for Mother's Day and it is sooo motivating!! Love it!! Wouldn't go a day w/out wearing it...even if it means "tan lines" on my wrist LOL It makes me want to move and see how many steps I take. Love that it tracks my sleep pattern at night too...Oh and the colors...I have already bought 3 extra bands so I can match my outfits. Ha!!

Anyone here use a fitness tracker such as Fitbit etc...? I am thinking of getting one. I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, but I want to make sure I get one that works well

This group has tons of info: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1290-fitbit-users

What do you want the activity tracker to do? The reason I ask, there are activity trackers (FitBit) and there are heart rate monitors. These don't do the same thing. There are some more advanced.....that are trying to combine both (Polar Loop for one).

I have the FitBit One. When I wear it (I really should use mine more) it tracks my steps & gives me a daily calorie estimate based upon activity. I log into their website & can see daily activity, track sleep patterns, etc. If I wanted a more accurate calorie burn for steady state cardio....I would use a HRM. I don't do a huge amount of this, so it's not a big deal.

Plenty of people use their FitBits (have them synced to MFP). This gives them a fairly accurate number for TDEE total calorie energy expenditure). FitBits help a lot of people maintain weight.

FitBits are great if they motivate you to move more. FitBits are great if you have a hard time determining activity level, or if you have pretty wide swings.

Anyone here use a fitness tracker such as Fitbit etc...? I am thinking of getting one. I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, but I want to make sure I get one that works well

Some people find them helpful and others, like me, never used them. it all depends how interested in gadgets you are and if you don't mind wearing one all the time.

I never wore a HRM because most of my activities do not involve steady cardio, and HRMs are not accurate for strength training workouts, yoga, pilates, and barre exercises. At least that is was I heard.

Edited to add that I never used a Fitbit or any kind of fitness tracker either.

I have a Fitbit One and I love it. I wear it all day, Except while I'm working out, I have a Polar HRM for that.

The interaction they have with MFP makes them that much worthwhile. This site simply cannot accurate estimate what you "normal" calories burned are based upon those 4 options when we first signed up. At least with the daily loggers, like Fitbit, the site will give to (or take away) calories each day based upon your daily normal activity.

I have used the Body Media Fit in the past, and I really enjoyed it until I started to have serious skin allergies to the arm band, I cleaned the sensors, and the arm band and finally bought a new arm band hoping it was just that and still had the same problem, but that could just be my skin being a douche.

I have a fitbit flex now and I love it, it really highlighted where I was having issues - re: I sit on my *kitten* too much, I wouldn't trade it at all.

I have used HRM's in the past and liked them as well.

Are they worth it? For me yes, it is really dependant on you as a person. If you need that little extra push to get you moving it might be the answer.

I have had a fitbit of one kind or another for a couple of years, it has helped me tremendously to keep track and meet fitness goals like stairs climbed and steps taken. It isn't a do all end all, it is a day to day monitor of how much you're moving. I have a HRM for serious workouts.