Do you use a fitness tracker?

melissaka7
melissaka7 Posts: 277 Member
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
Like fitbit, jawbone, polar hrm, garmin, etc? What do you like about it? What all does it do?

I've researched these damn things to death and cannot decide if I need one. I work a sedentary job, but I do fitness vidoes like Insanity, T25, PiYo, and Insanity Max:30. I also weight train 2 days a week. My wants are something that tells me how many calories I've burned either through the whole day or just during my work outs. I'd also like to know how many steps I've taken. I just don't know if I really need something or not.
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Replies

  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    Fitbits and Jawbones are fancy pedometers. They won't tell you your heart rate which is a more accurate reading for calories burned. But they do have all sorts of other features. I am not a fan, but others are.

    I just received a Polar FT7 for Christmas and absolutely love it. It is still an estimate of calories burned, but it tells me the duration of my workout, my average HR and max HR. I glance at it to see if I should be working harder (for a higher HR). It will be a game for me to burn more calories each workout, etc.

    I still only eat back about 1/2 the calories it says I burn.
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I just got a vivofit with a chest strap for christmas. I like that it counts steps and I love the HRM to help me accurately track calorie burn. I also like that the battery is supposed to last for a year.

    I don't like that it isn't working with MFP or that my Iphone4 is too old to sync with it. I read that since the website had the big change back in December the garmin connect app isn't working. They are purportedly working on getting that working again.

    The other thing I haven't decided on yet is that it tells you calories burned rather than calories you have left. So I might have burned 2,000 but unless I log in to garmin connect dashboard and sync that with MFP, I don't know how many calories I have left to eat.

    Jury is out for me still.
  • melissaka7
    melissaka7 Posts: 277 Member
    esjones12 wrote: »

    I just received a Polar FT7 for Christmas and absolutely love it. It is still an estimate of calories burned, but it tells me the duration of my workout, my average HR and max HR. I glance at it to see if I should be working harder (for a higher HR). It will be a game for me to burn more calories each workout, etc.

    I've been leaning towards a Polar. Does it do anything when you're not working out? Like if I wore it to work without the chest strap would it tell time or steps taken? Or would it really be something I could only get use of of when working out?
  • erindunphy
    erindunphy Posts: 46 Member
    I use the vivosmart, it estimates calories burned throughout the day, and you can use a chest strap HRM for workouts for more accuracy. Vivofit is a less expensive option and is also good!
  • melissaka7
    melissaka7 Posts: 277 Member
    erindunphy wrote: »
    I use the vivosmart, it estimates calories burned throughout the day, and you can use a chest strap HRM for workouts for more accuracy. Vivofit is a less expensive option and is also good!

    I looked at the vivosmart today and REALLY liked it. I have $100 in amazon money, so I'd have to come up with the remaining though.
  • tjames30
    tjames30 Posts: 229 Member
    I got a fitbit flex for Christmas. I like it so far. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it keeps me on track and motivated. So that's a plus!
  • Libi_KK
    Libi_KK Posts: 572 Member
    I just bought my second Fitbit One. @esjones12‌ is correct in that it is a pedometer, but it also tracks your calories burned and active minutes. Depending on the model, it will also tell you how many flights of stairs you climbed. It syncs flawlessly with MFP also.

    I have worn my Fitbit continuously since purchase in 2011, before I joined MFP. There are challenges you can join on the Fitbit mobile app or you can just challenge yourself.

    I love the Flex and the Charge but they are not friendly to me due to arthritis. I made a sales associate open the box so that I could try the band on. Which was a good thing because I could not get the clasp to work. I did try two to see if it was just the one item I had trouble with, but it wasn't. My husband also could not get the blessed things hooked on me correctly either. I can see by your picture that you are a young person so probably won't have this issue, but it is something that you should check before making the purchase.
  • StretchyArms
    StretchyArms Posts: 2 Member
    I had a Fit Bit Zip and it was okay for me. I wanted more out of it, like a HR monitor and better tracking. I just bought the Microsoft Band. Really loving the HR monitor on it - seems to do a good enough job (anything is better than nothing).
  • donnysoule
    donnysoule Posts: 1,185 Member
    I have the Microsoft Band with Heart rate monitor and all of the bells and whistles.... I absolutely love it. It does a great job tracking workouts, steps takes, sleep walks, hikes and all the notifications from your phone can be set up to silently and discretely give you a light buzz on the wrist.
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    edited December 2014
    I just received a Fitbit Zip for Christmas. I really enjoy it! It keeps me motivated to go out and move more because how much I am moving is visible on my iPhone app, the Fitbit screen and on MFP. I have some doubts against the Fitbit's accuracy, but anything that gets me moving more is ok in my books. The Fitbit zip is super basic (cheaper), but the Fitbit charge that is coming out looks really awesome and tracks more in depth ($$).

    I also have a Polar FT7 which I love as well. I use that to track my calories burned during my workouts. I don't know if you can wear it all day to get an accurate reading. The strap would be really annoying after a couple hours.

    I am a visual person (spreadsheets, calendars, list - all make me so happy) and I LOVE numbers, so having something that displays numbers as progress (or lack their of) really helps motivate me. However, if this is not your personality type, you may not find it helpful.
  • randrews0407
    randrews0407 Posts: 216 Member
    I tried out a Microsoft Band in their store last weekend ... it has all of the bells and whistles, HRM, GPS - you can even check messages but it's so annoyingly clunky and it faces down which made me fear I'd destroy the screen. I could see myself getting aggravated with that thing on my wrist all day.

    I have a Polar FT4 - got it when I did Insanity, it was hard to guess-timate my burn and it turned out that I was burning way less than I assumed I was. I also take classes so I love my HRM. I also have a Fitbit Zip ... I don't really need it but it's helpful. I'm sedentary at the office and sometimes seeing how low my step count is motivates me to get off my *kitten*. The challenges in the FitBit app like "Holiday Hero" "Goal Day" and "Workweek Hustle" are fun. If you have a competitive spirit having a FitBit and adding a bunch of buddies can be great motivation.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I have a Jawbone Up, but tracking my workouts on my Polar F7 is more accurate. Because I am already in shape, I consistently log a lower calorie burn than the published databases show.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    No, don't see the point. I'd rather spend the money on a pair of running shoes.
  • silver_inca
    silver_inca Posts: 17 Member
    I'd wait for the FitBit Surge, early 2015! it has a 24/7 heart rate monitor on the wrist for accurate calorie burn, as well as lots of other fancy bits!
  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    enterdanger wrote: »
    I don't like that it isn't working with MFP or that my Iphone4 is too old to sync with it. I read that since the website had the big change back in December the garmin connect app isn't working. They are purportedly working on getting that working again.

    @enterdanger I just got mine to work with MFP today. From Garmin connect, on your fitness & health tab (or whatever you renamed it), there is a tile that says "Calories in/out". Click the settings button, disconnect from myfitnesspal and then settings/connect to myfitnesspal.

  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    enterdanger wrote: »
    I don't like that it isn't working with MFP or that my Iphone4 is too old to sync with it. I read that since the website had the big change back in December the garmin connect app isn't working. They are purportedly working on getting that working again.

    @enterdanger I just got mine to work with MFP today. From Garmin connect, on your fitness & health tab (or whatever you renamed it), there is a tile that says "Calories in/out". Click the settings button, disconnect from myfitnesspal and then settings/connect to myfitnesspal.

  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    I have a Garmin Forerunner 15. It combines the Vivofit pedometer with the Forerunner 10 GPS tracking for running which is perfect for me.
  • RichardDiggins
    RichardDiggins Posts: 2
    donnysoule wrote: »
    I have the Microsoft Band with Heart rate monitor and all of the bells and whistles.... I absolutely love it. It does a great job tracking workouts, steps takes, sleep walks, hikes and all the notifications from your phone can be set up to silently and discretely give you a light buzz on the wrist.
    +1 and you can have the screen face out or in. Scratches happen around the screen. They do not impact the screen itself and are easily polished out with a bit of toothpaste.

    I would recommend this to anyone.
  • kaseyr1505
    kaseyr1505 Posts: 624 Member
    I use a FitBit for my daily activity. I have step goals that I like to meet every day, and I eat based on how much I move. I have a watch that I wear when I'm running, it shows my time, how far I've gone and an estimated calorie burn. I don't think any of this is necessary, though.
  • Winterlover123
    Winterlover123 Posts: 352 Member
    I got a SmartBand free with a phone upgrade. It's not as fancy as the other ones and I just have it so I have a better idea how many calories I'm burning. That being said, this is extremely off with step tracking
  • dlw13
    dlw13 Posts: 119 Member
    I have a jawbone that I received as a gift Christmas 2013. I use it, but I'm not sure how much faith I have in it. I'm on my third one as the first two died after 4 months of use. I was wearing it while I was doing my boxing/kick boxing class, and I don't think it was built to take the concussion. I've been putting it in my pocket and so far so good. I do like the sleep monitoring function, I never realized how little sleep I was getting.
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    melissaka7 wrote: »
    esjones12 wrote: »

    I just received a Polar FT7 for Christmas and absolutely love it. It is still an estimate of calories burned, but it tells me the duration of my workout, my average HR and max HR. I glance at it to see if I should be working harder (for a higher HR). It will be a game for me to burn more calories each workout, etc.

    I've been leaning towards a Polar. Does it do anything when you're not working out? Like if I wore it to work without the chest strap would it tell time or steps taken? Or would it really be something I could only get use of of when working out?

    The Polar FT7 does not count steps. If you wear it without the strap all it will tell you is the time of day and you can access your workout summaries.

    I know a lot of people recommend Polar because they seem to last forever.
  • Hungry_Annie
    Hungry_Annie Posts: 807 Member
    I dont think any devices are necessary, but they can be motivating. I had a Fitbit Flex for about 7 months, i had to trade it in twice due to charging issues. I liked it though. Kept me motivated.Now i have a Jawbone UP24 and so far its good. I also have a Polar FT7 HRM, which i wear for non-step based exercise.
  • Kfrase83
    Kfrase83 Posts: 42 Member
    I love my Polar FT7. The batteries have lasted a long time, and while it doesn't sync with MFP, I add my workouts in afterwards.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    melissaka7 wrote: »
    or just during my work outs. .

    Given the training that you describe, none of the toys you mention will give you a meaningful calorie expenditure.
  • Revonue
    Revonue Posts: 135 Member
    I received a Garmin Vivofit for Christmas, I really like it!

    For fitness, devices aren't necessary, but they are useful and fun to have. The main reason I asked for a Vivofit for Christmas is the ability to use a HRM during workouts. It does work with MFP, though you need to manually sync it throughout the day.
  • cmbauer99
    cmbauer99 Posts: 184 Member
    I would recommend the Polar m400 its an all in one device. Does steps, GPS, activity, sleeping etc etc. It pairs with a bluetooth H7 strap to give you an accurate heartrate. Stay away from the HRM that are on your wrist they have been proven time and time again to be very in accurate.

    I have used all of the above items and I settled on this one.

    I use it to watch my HR while I do video workouts, I track calories burn for HIIT an Crossfit and 5x5 weight lifting. Then when I run outside I can customize the information I see as far as pace, speed, travel etc. Ont he treadmill it will show me my HR and calories and time etc.

    Check it out! Best money I have spent.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    cmbauer99 wrote: »
    I track calories burn for HIIT an Crossfit and 5x5 weight lifting.

    The figure that you get from any device is meaningless as far as these are concerned.
  • Jennifer_Lynn_1982
    Jennifer_Lynn_1982 Posts: 567 Member
    cmbauer99 wrote: »
    I would recommend the Polar m400 its an all in one device. Does steps, GPS, activity, sleeping etc etc. It pairs with a bluetooth H7 strap to give you an accurate heartrate. Stay away from the HRM that are on your wrist they have been proven time and time again to be very in accurate.

    I have used all of the above items and I settled on this one.

    I use it to watch my HR while I do video workouts, I track calories burn for HIIT an Crossfit and 5x5 weight lifting. Then when I run outside I can customize the information I see as far as pace, speed, travel etc. Ont he treadmill it will show me my HR and calories and time etc.

    Check it out! Best money I have spent.

    Great info! Thank you. I was thinking about getting the Polar Heart Rate monitor to use on my phone and then getting a watch down the road (I was looking at the FT4, FT7 or the Loop) but the M400 looks pretty impressive, albeit at a higher price.

    I mostly do at home workouts (Insanity, etc.) and/or circuit training at the gym so my main focus is to track heart rate and a better estimate of calories burned.

    Is the M400 too bulky for women do you think?
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Jennifer_Lynn_1982 wrote: »
    I mostly do at home workouts (Insanity, etc.) and/or circuit training at the gym so my main focus is to track heart rate and a better estimate of calories burned.

    You're not going to get a meaningful estimate of calories expended using an HRM for the kind of training that you describe.
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