Fitness Trackers!

My Garmin GPS run watch has a tracker in it, and it provides some cool info. I'm not 100% sure how useful all the metrics will be in the long run. There are already several studies basically saying that they don't raise people's success in the long run. That being said, if it motivates you, grab one. There is a service online that lets you try out five of them. I can't remember the name of the service, but it should be easy to google, or I saw it on CNet.

I had a fitbit one and loved it. It motivated me to keep up my steps and goals in general, until I lost it. I recently bought myself a Fitbit Surge. More expensive, but worth it IMHO. Waterproof to 5 ATM means it should meet most people's swimming needs. I haven't worn a wrist watch in almost 15 years, and thought it would bother me a bit, but so far so good. I really like the continuous heart rate monitoring the best. I think not having a chest band while working out and being able to track my resting heart rate and see it improve is helpful.

I have a MisFit Flash - it is waterproof and lasts 4-6 months with no charging required (it uses a common button cell battery). I can't talk about how it works with the iPhone (although it does) but I've been using it with my Android since I got it in October and I love it. I'm really satisfied with it - I can clip it to me, stick it in the wristband, or put it in my pocket. Also, you don't have to put it in sleep mode since it does that automatically (and it's pretty accurate with the time, too). I've seen it on sale a couple of times lately for $24.99, but it's regularly $49.99. The app syncs with MFP, as well as several different apps/services. The tracker itself doesn't sync automatically, but it will show you your progress if you click it. I usually wait until the end of the day to sync and use IFTTT to export my daily summaries to a spreadsheet for long-term trend tracking. I also used the Pebble Watch version of the MisFit app for a while, but since I wear my watch on the "wrong" hand, I had a lot of inaccurate activity, so I figured it was worth getting the actual device instead (but the Pebble is also waterproof).

anyone tried those twelve dollar pivot trackers? I have my Garmin, but it's almost worth the twelve bucks to me just to see one in person.

I would not get a Charge as it seems to use a similar charging port to the Force, and mine fried after a 5km run. They didn't address my issue and I had to send it via the recall. And it took three months.

I now have a Polar M400 for the different activities, HRM monitoring, gps tracking, and incredible battery life - and I love it. SO much more bang for your buck. I do miss the Fitbit community though and comparing my steps with my friends.

i have the nike fuelband. i like it but my dog just chewed up the charging cord so i had to order another one. also i can't seem to upload my info anymore, but other than that it's great.

I have a FitBit One and would definitely buy the same model again if I need to. It's nice that it can be clipped discreetly away from site where it's not going to get dunked into washing up water or banged against desks etc and it's not there looking clunky on your wrist when you're dressed up for a night out! FitBit have excellent customer service and replaced my last one free of charge when it started misreporting flights of stairs - absolutely no quibble and I had it delivered free the following day! You don't strictly need one to lose weight but it does focus you on how little you do during a normal week and pushes you on to achieve more. Mine is a long path and I sincerely believe it has helped me tremendously so far (92lbs lost since owning it).

I have a Jawbone UP and I love it! It certainly motivates me to get moving!

anyone going to get a jawbone up 3? it is the integration of bodymedia technology using skin measurements rather than math extrapolations from just an acclerometer?

I've used a garmin Vivosmart. Have a polar Loop, a bodymedia link, used a mio alpha and have on order a M400. I'm considering upgrading the up3 but it's an expensive bugger.

I have a vivofit and I love it. Keeps me on track and accountable for my activity. I keep telling hubby its a bully when that red line appears though lol. But i still get up and move whereas without it, i would still be sitting on my butt lol.

snowy0wl wrote: »

anyone going to get a jawbone up 3? it is the integration of bodymedia technology using skin measurements rather than math extrapolations from just an acclerometer?

I've used a garmin Vivosmart. Have a polar Loop, a bodymedia link, used a mio alpha and have on order a M400. I'm considering upgrading the up3 but it's an expensive bugger.

Why so many? Are you finding them inaccurate? Which was your favourite up to now? Or still looking for one you'll be happy with?

kwbinmd wrote: »

Next, for me continuous heart rate monitoring is not nearly as valuable as workout heart rate monitoring. Optical hrms just aren't as accurate as chest straps during highly active workouts. Chest straps work just like the EKG you're hooked up to during a stress test. This helps one train smarter, not harder.

This is an excellent point for people considering purchases: If you aspire to be an athlete, or consider yourself one already, an accurate HRM is an important training tool.

I'm not trying to dis general fitness trackers, which are very motivating for lots of folks and help with tracking for weight loss and general healthfulness purposes, but if you're training to run faster, ski faster, row faster or something like that, you need solid HR data from your workouts.

Two months ago I bought a Jawbone UP Move from Costco and I love it. I wanted a good "intro" fitness tracker to see if I would like it and actually use it before spending big bucks on one. I like that it uses a battery and does not have to be constantly charged. It's a great motivator and I've used it everyday since I bought it. It tracks steps, calories and sleep. Using it in combination with MFP and MapMyWalk has been helping me get active and lose weight.

I have the Garmin Vivoactive. I love the thing, especially one of the extra apps a pulled that allows me to track weight lifting. Although I still don't think anything beats bodymedia in regards to accuracy and auto tracking. No need to tell the thing you are exercising, it automatically could tell based on sensors. But when they switched from an annual fee to monthly, I decided I needed to ditch it. I'd go back in a heartbeat if the annual fee ever came back.

I just got my garmin vivosmart today. Loving it so far. Going on a holiday next week for 3 weeks, so no distractions of everyday life from my goals :-)