Help choosing Devices to count steps and cals (

I've had my fitbit flex since April. And with it, I've noticed I tend to get off my butt more so I can set off the 10,000 step alarm everyday (admittedly there are days I don't hit it, but definately make up for it on days I work so it evens out some). I keep it set to dominate arm since I equally use both arms for various things (cut, throw and catch right handed, but I'm dominate left handed, it's freaking weird. But mom is righty and was the one home and I was born definately a lefty). As others have pointed out no device is 100% correct with the exception of HRM, but they can be a good motivational tool to get you moving more. I still enter when I do something like gardening where I'm not moving around as much but still working my butt off. But I no longer have to enter my walks daily! And that alone to me is worth it!

ETA: While fitbit can track your sleep I found that it was keeping me awake (I'm a belly sleeper and use my arm as a pillow). So I take it off when I get into bed at night and put it on in the am!

My biggest issue with the fitbit one is that I have personally washed 2 of them that were left in my jeans. They are also very easy to lose, being small and dark colored, they easily can be misplaced. That is why I really like the flex, as it stays on my arm with the exception of going to the lake, or taking showers.

As stated before about the athletic wrist not being appropriate, you can put it in your pocket as well I am sure. Though being a guy, I have not found an inappropriate gathering yet that I have needed to take mine off and put it in my pocket.

I have the FitBit One - fits perfectly between the bra cups, or on your waistband or pocket. I really like it. Seems to be very accurate.

I have found the fitbit one to be my favorite. you can just put it in your pocket or clip it on your pants or bra. it tracks steps pretty accurate. And not only steps but the distance you walked, floors and calories burned.
A huge plus compared to the flex is the display where you can always check on the information.
Another factor that was important to me is that if you want to wear the tracker daily, there may be occasions where a sporty-looking wristband is just not appropriate (depending on your job, or evening entertainment etc)

Thanks. I'll be looking up a few of these.

I know I will see pictures when I looked them up but curious if anyone has pictures of them handy since I'm at work and won't be able to look them up until tonight or tomorrow?

I have a Zip and I absolutely love it, even when it's snarky...



Whatever Fitbit you choose, here is the information that you can expect to see from it. The only thing that mine doesn't track is sleep and stairs.

I have a Fitbit One. My wife has a Fitbit Flex. We're both happy with our Fitbits.

I chose the Fitbit One because I like to see the readout as I go. It comes with a silicone clip, and I usually clip mine to my shirt collar. It also comes with a special wristband for wearing at night if you want to use the sleep tracking feature. I do use the sleep tracking feature because I have sleep problems that I struggle to manage.

One note about Fitbit is that it will sometimes register driving as steps. You can download an app called Drivebit that will help adjust for driving time. It works just like a timer, and automatically logs to your Fitbit Dashboard.

Have you tried looking at the Jawbone UP? For $80 on Amazon.com I picked up the older version you have to plug into the headphone jack. They also have a bluetooth version for about $130, the UP24.

Know a few people who use it too, and we all love it. Jawbone customer service is great if you have any problems. I wear mine everywhere except the shower (even though Jawbone says it's showerproof) and haven't had a problem- but I've only had it a little over two weeks. I also wear it in bed- the alarm is great, it tracks your sleep cycles and will wake you up during a period of light sleep so you feel better, and don't need a blaring alarm to jolt you awake.

Syncs well with MFP to give me credit for extra calories I've burned. I use Endomondo Fitness tracker as well, which isn't compatible with the Jawbone (yet), but works great with MFP too. I haven't had any issues with MFP doubling up on my exercise when I run with the Jawbone and track with Endomondo.

Hope you find what you're looking for!

Have you tried Argus? It's an app that has a pedometer built in ( I have a fit bit and the steps are almost identical). It also tracks food and includes a heart rate monitor. It's a pretty nifty app!

I had and loved my Polar F4. It can also be worn to give you heart rate data when you swim, which other brands cannot do.

But--my version of the F4 is old and does not have user serviceable batteries, so I have to pay $40 or so plus shipping if I want to get new batteries put in it (they ran out). I think newer versions have user-changeable batteries.

For some reason Polar doesn't make an effort to make their products mac friendly. They have some products that can upload data to a computer or Android, but not to iPhone.

I read somewhere there exists an ap that allows the motion sensor in your smart-phone to act as a pedometer so that you don't have to buy a separate pedometer. But I haven't looked for it or used it so I can't comment on how well it works.