Fitness Trackers?

Equus3nMom
Equus3nMom Posts: 42 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I'm intrigued by the fitness trackers, but I'm curious if they are worth the $$.

I see people saying they clip them on a shoelace or the hip to track when on a treadmill. So then they don't measure heart rate? How can they be very accurate? I realized the Garmin Vivofit (my first choice because of water proof feature) pairs with a chest band HR monitor, but I hate wearing those because they strap right across the region of my back where I had a really bad injury and the muscles go berzerk with any pressure.

I can get a calorie readout on the gym cardio machines, but wanted something that would tell me how many calories I burn doing weights, swimming, when I take my son on walks in the stroller or hike with him in the Kelty. I want to know what my calorie output is when i ride my horses, clean stalls etc. I'm happy with how I'm losing, but this is the early easy stage and I'm so exhausted/drained, I think I can up my calories 'in' a little, but would like a target that is a bit more precise.

Do these trackers, FitBit, Jawbone, or Vivofit give any better estimation (since I'm realizing that they must just guess without an accurate HR track) than if I plug my minutes and miles and intensity into MFP or some other type of app or chart? Is it worth the $$?

Help advise please. :-)

Replies

  • goldmay
    goldmay Posts: 258 Member
    I have a Fitbit and it's great for tracking steps, but not really any other activity. You'd have to enter those on either the MFP or Fitbit website manually. I've heard BodyMedia can be more accurate with those other activities, but I don't think it's waterproof.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I would say the ones like Fitbit and Jawbone help track your overall activity level better, but the databases are probably just as good for formal exercise, if you give it the right info. A tracker can make it so you don't have to, though. But not for things they don't track well, like swimming, cycling or anything resistance.

    Have you ever played Wii? The trackers work like that. An accelerometer can tell what motion your body is under and make calorie estimations from that. E.g., this torso motion pattern is closest to that of a person walking 4mph, which burns Y times BMR per minute. And it does that for each minute, or even smaller segments of time.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    I have a Fitbit Flex - I HATE it! The only good thing is wearing it reminds me to move.

    First, like MFP, I think it exaggerates the number of steps and calories burned. I think your assumption of accuracy without a HRM is correct.

    In addition, since you wear the flex on your wrist if your wrist isn't moving - no steps are counted. So if you are pushing a shopping cart, carrying a child, mowing the lawn, it doesn't give you an accurate count. Plus since it really only measures steps, you have no way of measuring other activity with it.

    IMO, certainly a waste of $100.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I have a BodyMedia FIT and I love it. Works accurately for what I need it for.
  • JoanneKendrick
    JoanneKendrick Posts: 151 Member
    I use map my run for running and map my walk for walking. Gives a pretty good idea how many calories you have burnt.
  • JeralynSh
    JeralynSh Posts: 139 Member
    I have a Soleus Go! that tracks steps, calories burnt (during any type of workout), sleep, weather. I LOVE it. I've tried several over the past few years, and this is my absolute favorite. It works for me and my needs.

    I use Runkeeper for miles logged, but always default to my tracker for calories.
  • GrindGravel
    GrindGravel Posts: 49 Member
    I did an experiment with the Fitbit Flex pushing my son's stroller and it did accurately count the steps. I did this for both pushing with the fitbit hand and without and there was no noticeable difference. Fitbit really is more of a gateway device to fitness, it provides basic feedback on how active you are and an ok (not exact) approximation of calories burned, oh and some motivation since it is a visible reminder to keep active.

    I use it mainly to track how active I am at work, and to credit walks with the family. It and MFP give me a good gauge of what I need to do on the bike (I use a Garmin Edge 500/HRM and Strava to track rides) during the week. You will be disappointed if you expect it to work like a more sophisticated device like the Forerunner. Also, to be accurate with calories a HR Monitor is a must. However, using the Fitbit calories will get you in the ballpark if you are consistent with your logging and weigh-ins.
  • Equus3nMom
    Equus3nMom Posts: 42 Member
    Thanks everyone. Glad I asked. Sounds like its not what I'm looking for. Money saved!
  • Hungry_Annie
    Hungry_Annie Posts: 807 Member
    Fitbit basically tracks your TDEE..it gives you an idea of your daily activity level. Plus it motivates you to meet your step goal. I have tested it and find it tracks quite accurately for steps. Its not meant for tracking exercise that isn't step-based. It just tracks your daily general activity.
  • anewmen13
    anewmen13 Posts: 2 Member
    Do you still use your Soleusgo? DO you use it with Android or IOS?

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