Fitness tracker recommendations?

happymommy321
happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone use a fitness tracker like an UP band or Fitbit? I am looking for any and all recommendations about them and brand preferences!

Replies

  • mrnedburns
    mrnedburns Posts: 34 Member
    I had an armband heart monitor (Scosche Rythym) I liked until I lost it. It connected to my android via bluetooth and monitored heartrate while exercising. Since that I've just used an app called RunKeeper. It's GPS based and tracks my speed and movement and does a good job with calorie estimates.

    If you run or walk outside, just use a smartphone app like RunKeeper. That's a lot cheaper :)
  • happymommy321
    happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
    I think what I am needing is the heart rate monitor feature. I have a few exercise apps, which are handy, but I would like the heart rate monitor to know more accurately.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Look at polar loop and garmin vivofit. There are billion of posts on activity trackers on here. Do a search and you will find loads of information.
  • engodwin
    engodwin Posts: 516 Member
    HRM are really good for workout intensity and such.

    I am currently using the BodyMedia arm band for daily tracking - it's amazing to see how lazy my job makes me some days!! Garmin monitors work with the BM device for workouts.
  • happymommy321
    happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
    I thought there would be a searched but could only find a few posts that weren't applicable to shopping around. Maybe I am searching the wrong thing?
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Did you search 'activity monitor'. Polar loop and garmin vivofit are activity trackers and you can also link them to HRM for exercise.
  • happymommy321
    happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
    I searched tracker. I will try monitor. Thanks!
  • shireeniebeanie
    shireeniebeanie Posts: 293 Member
    Fitbit tracks how much activity you're getting all day and night, whereas HRMs are only useful during cardio workouts and useless the rest of the time.
    Each is best suited to a particular purpose.
  • loriacarr
    loriacarr Posts: 14 Member
    I have had the Polar Loop for a couple of weeks. I love it! I got the HRM strap to go with it to track my workouts. It tracks steps, calories, and sleep. It has really motivated me to get up and move. I found out real quick how much I sit around during the day! :)
  • arrrrjt
    arrrrjt Posts: 245 Member
    Love my Fitbit! It definitely kickstarted my weightloss when I got it in December :) I'm sure there are other nice options out there. I do wish it also had a HRM.

    Good luck!
  • happymommy321
    happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
    So you wear the polar loop all the time and the HRM when working out? So best of both worlds?
  • loriacarr
    loriacarr Posts: 14 Member
    Yes, I wear the Loop all the time and the HRM just for workouts. It sets you an activity goal to hit each day and then I try to hit 10,000 steps, too.

    One thing that is kind of scary is that you have to cut the band to fit your wrist. It was easy but I was afraid I would mess it up. The website isn't all that great. But I use the app mostly anyway. I do wish it had a vibrating inactivity alert. That would be great. I wanted the garmin vivosmart but the loop was cheaper. The loop isn't social like fitbit. Fitbit you can compete against friends. If the Loop does this I haven't figure it out...
  • happymommy321
    happymommy321 Posts: 60 Member
    Very helpful! Thank you!
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I second the Bodymedia. I've seen several comparison studies and Bodymedia comes out on top every time. Here's the abstract from one of them:

    http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Citation/2014/09000/Validity_of_Consumer_Based_Physical_Activity.20.aspx

    It is more accurate. It goes on the upper arm, so it can be hidden with clothing if needed. It has extensive reporting on Excel spreadsheets in addition to it's easy-to-read software and app. It syncs with MFP plus several other apps. It can be paired with a HRM chest strap for increased accuracy. It uses regular Bluetooth instead of Bluetooth Smart or ANT+ so it's usable with almost any smartphone or tablet. It does have a monthly fee of around $6, but the pros definitely outweigh that charge.


    ETA: I did want to mention that the Amiigo should be coming out any time now, and it looks quite promising. Check into it before you decide. Make sure you read lots of user reviews regarding accuracy and ease of use (it was crowd funded, so investors are getting their Amiigos right about now and will be posting about them in the next couple of months.)
  • shireeniebeanie
    shireeniebeanie Posts: 293 Member
    ETA: I did want to mention that the Amiigo should be coming out any time now, and it looks quite promising. Check into it before you decide. Make sure you read lots of user reviews regarding accuracy and ease of use (it was crowd funded, so investors are getting their Amiigos right about now and will be posting about them in the next couple of months.)
    That sounds promising! I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    I second the Bodymedia. I've seen several comparison studies and Bodymedia comes out on top every time. Here's the abstract from one of them:

    http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Citation/2014/09000/Validity_of_Consumer_Based_Physical_Activity.20.aspx

    It is more accurate. It goes on the upper arm, so it can be hidden with clothing if needed. It has extensive reporting on Excel spreadsheets in addition to it's easy-to-read software and app. It syncs with MFP plus several other apps. It can be paired with a HRM chest strap for increased accuracy. It uses regular Bluetooth instead of Bluetooth Smart or ANT+ so it's usable with almost any smartphone or tablet. It does have a monthly fee of around $6, but the pros definitely outweigh that charge.


    ETA: I did want to mention that the Amiigo should be coming out any time now, and it looks quite promising. Check into it before you decide. Make sure you read lots of user reviews regarding accuracy and ease of use (it was crowd funded, so investors are getting their Amiigos right about now and will be posting about them in the next couple of months.)

    Are you sure the Bodymedia has a HRM chest strap?
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I second the Bodymedia. I've seen several comparison studies and Bodymedia comes out on top every time. Here's the abstract from one of them:

    http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Citation/2014/09000/Validity_of_Consumer_Based_Physical_Activity.20.aspx

    It is more accurate. It goes on the upper arm, so it can be hidden with clothing if needed. It has extensive reporting on Excel spreadsheets in addition to it's easy-to-read software and app. It syncs with MFP plus several other apps. It can be paired with a HRM chest strap for increased accuracy. It uses regular Bluetooth instead of Bluetooth Smart or ANT+ so it's usable with almost any smartphone or tablet. It does have a monthly fee of around $6, but the pros definitely outweigh that charge.


    ETA: I did want to mention that the Amiigo should be coming out any time now, and it looks quite promising. Check into it before you decide. Make sure you read lots of user reviews regarding accuracy and ease of use (it was crowd funded, so investors are getting their Amiigos right about now and will be posting about them in the next couple of months.)

    Are you sure the Bodymedia has a HRM chest strap?

    Nope, sorry, I apologize, that isn't quite accurate. It doesn't have a strap...you can sync several different Garmin HRMs with the Bodymedia site, but it's indirect, by importing the information, rather than direct, with the Bodymedia app accessing the HRM directly. Here's what Bodymedia has to say about it:
    If you enable heart rate support then Activity Manager can import and display heart rate data from Garmin heart rate monitors. We currently support the following Garmin® devices:
    Forerunner 60
    Forerunner 305
    Edge 305
    Forerunner 610
    Other Garmin heart rate devices supported by the Garmin ANT Agent™ software should also work but BodyMedia has not tested all heart rate monitors and cannot guarantee support for other devices.

    When enabled, the Activity Manager Dashboard page will display the summary and detail information of imported heart rate sessions. To import new heart rate data into the Activity Manager, click on the import button within the heart rate section of your Dashboard. Activity Manager relies upon the Garmin software so you can perform the import only from the computer where you have the Garmin ANT Agent or Training Center software installed.

    For best results, you should sync your armband data first and then import your heart rate data.
  • maoribadger
    maoribadger Posts: 1,837 Member
    I use a fitbit one with map my fitness though I may look into a bodymedia or similar if I continue into new year
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I use a fitbit one with map my fitness though I may look into a bodymedia or similar if I continue into new year

    I absolutely love mine and haven't been a day without it since I bought it. The Excel reports are amazing, and extensive. Knowing is half the battle, right?

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