Is a FitBit necessary.....?

I don't see why it would be necessary... But if you plan on walking/running more (which you don't mention) on non-gym days, then it's a great way to measure that active and provide a boost of motivation. I have a FitBit Flex and I love it. I have a pretty active lifestyle and I walk quite a lot, so it helps me to have the data on it.

It's not necessary, but it's definitely a great tool. I've found that (for me at least) it pretty accurate as far as my calories burned count and as long as I'm doing a good job estimating my calorie intake I almost always post a loss as long as I show a deficit.

I've made the majority of my progress logging foods here and using a HRM to track exercise burns. I recently picked up a Fitbit Zip because I like gadgets and wanted a bit more info. I figured after Christmas I might be able to pick one up on eBay for less than retail, and I was right. I got a brand new one for around $38.

I like that the numbers I get from it are a close match for the calculations & estimates I've been using all along, plus it's a good motivator for me to move more and reach for those daily step goals.

We bought one for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day - with a Target sale, using my Red Card and some of the gift cards you can pick up for buying certain items in the store, I got hers for less than the one I bought on eBay.

Necessary? No, but worth it if you really like to track the numbers. The Zip is perfect for me because I don't need the sleep or stair tracking, and I like that it's not a model to wear on the wrist - I clip it to my bra and it's out of sight and safely secured all day long.

I have a fitbit. I don't think it's necessary. It helps me with motivation and keeping track of when I walk/run. I like knowing how far I've gone. I also really like the sleep tracking. I learned through it how often I'm restless, etc. Plus I found that the sleep much sounder when I exercise around 45 minutes per day. So, I made a change and sleep better. It's helped with things like that for me. One thing that I did notice is that the one I have (the Flex) didn't do a great job when I did higher impact exercises.

Most of these fitness trackers simply track movement and correlate calories burned to it. In my opinion, they're not very accurate. If you shake your wrist for example you will log movement, but are you really burning calories. You get steps and other little motivations. They're very popular now. Fitbit leads the pack, followed closely by Nike and BodyMedia. BodyMedia is by far the most useful and accurate. However, since Jawbone bought BodyMedia, it seems more and more that they are working on killing off the product. Too bad.

I personally like to use a Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor. I feel they're the most accurate. I also wear a Nike Fuel Band (for fun). The Nike is just there to keep me motivated to reach a "goal" every day.

When I work out I wear the HRM. I pair that with iCardio App by DigiFit. I like to see how many minutes/% my heart was in the Orange and Red Zones, that tells me I'm pushing it. I can also see accurately my calories burned. For me it's about data. The "how many minutes I was active in a day" or "achieving trophies" part of these apps don't really excite me any more.

I have the Polar H7 Blue Tooth strap/pod. This is why I like it. It works on both iOS and Android (4.2+). I can still use my BlueTooth headphones while connected to the app. I also have a Polar FT7 Watch and the H7 Will sync to the watch. This way I don't have to whip out my phone to see my HR while working out. iCardio syncs with MyFitnessPal When you're done working it, it logs it for you. Also, many gym cardio machines receive Polar Link signals, so your HR will show up on the treadmill while you're running etc.

This is the Polar H7, one of the more inexpensive ones on the market and one of the best! http://bit.ly/polarh7

If anything I would get the Fitbit Flex. My sister had the Zip and lost it a couple of times and eventually lost it all together! It's small.

But if you're interested, here's a list of fitness devices I've been keeping track of for awhile. There's a lot out there. Beware, a lot of these are vaporware or coming soon.

Airo
Amiigo
Angel
Apple iWatch
Atlas
Basis Carbon Steel
Body Media
Fitbit Flex
Garmin Vivofit
Groove
Gym Watch
Hapi Watch
Hexo Skin
IroNova
iThlete
Jawbone Up
Jaybird Reign
Kreyos Smart Watch
Lark
LG Life Band
Life Track C300
Lumo Lift
Microsoft Smart Watch
Mio Link
Moov
Moto360 Smart Watch
Nike Fuel Band SE
OMsignal Biometric Smartwear
Pebble Steel - Smart Watch
Polar Loop
Polar H7 - BT Heart Rate Monitor
Pulse - ON!
Push
Razer Nabu Smartband
Samsung Gear
Shine
Sketchers - Go Walk
Skulpt
Scosche Rhythm
Soleus Go! Fitness Tracker
Sony Fitness Band
Spree Headband
Strive Play
TAO Well Shell
Tom Tom Runner Cardio
Underarmor Armor 39 - Heart Rate Monitor
Wahoo Heart Rate Monitor
Wellograph
Withings Pulse

none of it is necessary.

My fitbit flex and my samsung S5 are equally accurate. I only have the fitbit because it will allow me to track my sleep patterns which is important data to me.

I agree that none of these gadgets is necessary. I manually test my HR every 10 minutes throughout a cardio workout, and average it to estimate my burns. I also use my Samsung S4 as a pedometer for walking and running, and it's dead on for mileage (compared to mileage markers on the trail I use. Even so, the pedometer isn't even necessary, as good ol' stopping for a few seconds for a HR check and noting distance and time works just fine, too.

Although, seeing 10,000+ on the pedometer every day is pretty motivating, IMHO, and I recommend at minimum some type of simple pedometer, or pedometer app (there's tons of free ones out there) to chart progress and motivate you.

I don't find it necessary but it is encouraging and lets me know if I am not moving enough. I have the flex and I love it. I think it is personal preference but I truly do love it. The flex is easy, a bracelet, I have it on always. I keep upping the goals for the day, I'm working towards 15000 steps/day now. I have to really work for this goal. My only complaint is that it doesn't count steps climbed... Anyway, it sounds like whatever you decide will be great... you are motivated and on a mission. Good for you!

I totally agree!

I'm in the same boat as Fishgutzy, the HRM sits in the top flap of my pack and I never seem to have the desire to want to use it anymore. However I am disappointed I cannot use it with the Vivofit I just got. And the strap on that brand is pretty iffy, it will not take much to catch the end of the band on something and have the clasp undo without you noticing. These don't strike me as a necessary device, but it seems many can get motivated by them, the question is, how long before it ends up being ignored like my HRM?

Not necessary but I will admit that my Fitbit keeps me motivated. Seeing the data throughout the day of number of steps and number of stairs, encourages me to walk more.

I just got a Sketchers Go Walk tracker. Its a wrist strap like the Fit Bit Flex. Problem Im having is with the app. I called customer service and they said its my device, so mailing me a new one. I like it so far. It tracks my sleeping patterns, steps, mileage, and activity. Its not picking up activity though. It was a fourth the price of a fit bit too.