Fitbit - pros and cons

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Replies

  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    I have a Flex and I love it, totally recommend it. Their customer support is fabulous as well.
  • Honeyjar66
    Honeyjar66 Posts: 19
    Thanks for all your input...I did go to Best Buy (Canada) on the weekend to check out these little items. So now the decision is whether to buy the bit at $59 or the one at $99. I don't need to track my sleep. I think I sleep pretty well. I only really want it for counting steps. I will probably go with the cheaper one for now or wait and add it to my wish list for Christmas. Unless I can find it on sale before then.

    Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I've been using the Flex for two days now and it's a decent motivational tool. Not entirely accurate as it is engineered to track walking/running and stride mechanics. I've been using Polar heart rate monitors for years and find this far more motivating for workouts, but the Flex is a nice addition and definitely pushes one to walk more to hit that goal.
  • Kargicq
    Kargicq Posts: 72 Member
    I have a fitbit zip, which I wear pretty much all the time, and a Polar HRM which I trust more for running.

    I sync everything to MFP, and track my calories, and eat everything back. To date, my weight-loss averages out to almost exactly the amount I put in my plan. I adjust my plan, and the weight-loss follows... guess sometimes it's nice to be so average that all the models and calculations Just Work. :smile:
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Thanks for all your input...I did go to Best Buy (Canada) on the weekend to check out these little items. So now the decision is whether to buy the bit at $59 or the one at $99. I don't need to track my sleep. I think I sleep pretty well. I only really want it for counting steps. I will probably go with the cheaper one for now or wait and add it to my wish list for Christmas. Unless I can find it on sale before then.

    Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts.

    If you just want one strictly for counting your steps, a regular (and much cheaper) pedometer will work as well and sometimes better than a fitbit.

    I do have a flex and the only issue I have is that it overestimates the number of calories I need to eat to lose weight. But that is more likely because I have a slower metabolism than someone of my age, weight, height and gender.
  • debrag12
    debrag12 Posts: 1,071 Member
    I had a zip for almost a year before I washed it for the 2nd time and it stopped working, I now have the one and love it. It's just a guide for me, I know it's not 100% correct but it does motivate me.

    I also have a polar watch for the gym and a running watch which has it's own activity tracker (garmin f15) but don't use it as a tracker as I don't want to wear a HRM all the time to get an accurate reading.
  • radmack
    radmack Posts: 272 Member
    Love mine and the Aria scale. It has helped me tremendously. I have a desk job so I use it to help motivate me to move. I have it set now for negative calorie adjustments. This helps motivate me to get up early for a quick walk before work.
  • s00z22
    s00z22 Posts: 9 Member
    Hi folks - just got my ARIA but confusing. The first time I step on it, it weighs me heavier. The second and subsequent times I step on it (in the same weigh in session) I am almost always down a pound+ from the initial step. ANyone else?
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Love my Fitbit. Would replace it instantly if it broke. I bought it nearly two years ago and thought I'd only have it for a couple of months to help work out my TDEE....
  • jigsawxyouth
    jigsawxyouth Posts: 308 Member
    After having used both the One and the Flex (and I have the scale)
    I can honestly say, you're better off getting the One.
    The Flex has a short battery life compared to the One. Since I walk outside with my son, pushing him in a stroller would mean I would have to move my band from my wrist to my shoe if I want my steps to get counted. Random times during the day, my Flex would go into "sleep mode" if I'm going shopping (pushing a cart would do that) or even clapping my hands during a meeting.
    I actually ended up buying an off brand charger after the headache the factory charger would give me. Same with the factory bands, they always fell apart even though I wore them loose and the larger size! Getting off brand bands were way less expensive, but were more reliable.
    The One tracks how many stairs you climb as well, the Flex does not.
    And if you don't have a problem with batteries, I would look into the Zip...

    I just got a replacement Flex and gave it away to get another One (both I've had to replace after they just stopped working after a year of use), however, contacting FitBit support, they do not hesitate sending out replacement trackers, for free, after they walk you through the troubleshooting steps.

    I like the One because it does everything the Flex does with the two exceptions:
    It does not vibrate when you reach your daily goal
    It does not light up to show your activity, BUT the One DOES have a display to show how active you are (when you keep pushing the button)

    I love my One, and if you do plan on getting one, you can get it from Amazon with free shipping and no tax. Both of my FitBits were purchased from Amazon and after sending the receipt to customer service, they still hooked me up with a new tracker :smile:

    Good luck!
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    I have the Flex and love it. I've found it to be VERY accurate at counting steps whether I'm jogging, walking, or pushing the stroller. I haven't had any issues with charging, but I a friend who also has one has complained about the charging, so it may be a somewhat common issue. I sync it to MFP but try not to eat back those exercise calories since I think they're somewhat inflated.
    The only con is that after months of wearing it constantly (even in the shower), it started to smell kinda gross, even though I washed the contacts with alcohol fairly frequently. So I just bought some new, colorful bands at Amazon for less than $10. I really want the Tory Burch (spelling?) strap that goes with it, but it's expensive so I think I'll ask for it for Christmas :)
  • Feistycat
    Feistycat Posts: 12,868 Member
    I'm just starting to look into getting a FitBit. But I don't understand. HOW does it motivate you? Someone mentioned buzzing. Does it buzz you to remind you to get up off the couch? Or does the motivation come from logging onto your computer to see your calories in/calories out?
  • Lisa__Michelle
    Lisa__Michelle Posts: 845 Member
    adoll127 wrote: »
    I had gotten the Force for Christmas last year, it was neat for awhile and then I was very happy for the recall so I could send it back.
    I felt like it was just a very expensive pedometer and it wasn't all that accurate. Something to keep in mind if you look at a wrist one - any time you're carring something, pushing a cart at the store, etc where you can't move your arm, you will not get credit for your steps. The calorie count is not at all accurate either so don't believe that too much. For me, it just wasn't really right, I sent it back and put the money towards a HRM, which I love - I know some people love their fitbits too.If it's worth getting really depends on what you're hoping to get from it - that is usually what I ask people in posts like this, and then it's easier to help you decide if it's a good option for you.

    I actually disagree. Mine counts my steps even if im not moving my arm at all. I have tested it for that and I find it is very accurate.
  • Fit_Happens_2021
    Fit_Happens_2021 Posts: 303 Member
    I have the fitbit force. It does register my steps if my arm is not swinging, also it registers if I am pushing a cart too, I guess it 'feels' the bump of my steps? Anyway, I really love it and have worn it every day since last Christmas.

    I like that it monitors my sleep, the silent buzzing alarm on my wrist to wake me up gently without waking my husband, the screen has just enough light to see my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night if I press the button, I love the buzzing to let me know I reached my goal. Floor counting doesn't seem very accurate though.

    I take it off when I do yoga, strength training, riding my bike or running because I wear my heart rate monitor for those, but I keep it on for dog walking and for everything else. I really love the interface of the android phone app, and the website, very user friendly and easy on the eye.
  • kimtab
    kimtab Posts: 64 Member
    I have a Zip. I got it on the suggestion of my Doctor and it was only $50 so I thought, what the heck. It really is helpful. On the days when I'm lazy and not doing much if I look at that thing and go, "What? only 3,000 steps?" I get my butt up and take a walk. It works.
  • dstidham63
    dstidham63 Posts: 1 Member
    SKME2013 wrote: »
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/09/activity-tracker-review.html

    I would go for the Polar M400 which is brand new and combines for roughly $200 an activity tracker plus a multisportswatch. See above.

    I have the fitbit One and the Polar RCX5 multisportswatch with heart rate monitor. The above combines both for a superb price.
    Stef.

    If you're interested in swimming and tracking heart rate the Polar M400 isn't a choice for swimming/water activities. Though, while it is waterproofed, it won’t give you heart rate underwater, as it only supports Bluetooth Smart heart rate transmission and not the analog frequency used on other water-friendly watches. The other drawback to the M400, as an activity tracker, is the battery life is projected at 13 hours with the GPS feature enabled.

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