All about fitbits...
GorgeousLynn808
Posts: 8 Member
I'm thinking about getting one but would love to know all about them... Price? Where to get them? What does it track? Does it keep you motivated? The pros? The cons? Etc...
0
Replies
-
I have the zip and it just tracks steps taken. My stepdad bought it for me but of them, I believe it's the cheaper option since it doesn't track sleep or anything else. It was interesting to see how many steps I take at work depending on the day and what department I'm assigned. Other than that, I don't pay it much attention. I have some family/friends but I'm not competitive. However, I do know it motivates my stepdad to take more steps because I am on my feet all shift at work so he has a little more competition now. Sometimes he even gets more steps than me.
Con - battery. I've changed the battery a couple of times so far. And it's easy to forget. Plus, I don't find it useful to sync with this site because I consider the steps as part of the activity level I have set, so don't want it changing the calorie range I'm going for, so I don't have it synced.0 -
I have had the fitbit flex for almost 2 years now. I love it, but considering "upgrading" to the garmin vivosmart.
Tons of places sell them. You can either go right online to fitbit.com, or if you prefer in person- best buy, Costco, Walmart (pretty sure they sell them).
The flex tracks- steps, calories burned, distance, food (syncs with mfp), and sleep. I do find it keeps me motivated but it seems to be one of the simplier products out there.
Pros: helps me keep active, syncs well with mfp, can go a few days without needing to be charged, can be worn in the shower (the charge and surge models can not). You can change the color of your band.
Cons: the fastener can come off, so I reccommend buying one of the securing bands (slips over the fastener so it can't pop off)0 -
I have had the fitbit flex for almost 2 years now. I love it, but considering "upgrading" to the garmin vivosmart.
Tons of places sell them. You can either go right online to fitbit.com, or if you prefer in person- best buy, Costco, Walmart (pretty sure they sell them).
The flex tracks- steps, calories burned, distance, food (syncs with mfp), and sleep. I do find it keeps me motivated but it seems to be one of the simplier products out there.
Pros: helps me keep active, syncs well with mfp, can go a few days without needing to be charged, can be worn in the shower (the charge and surge models can not). You can change the color of your band.
Cons: the fastener can come off, so I reccommend buying one of the securing bands (slips over the fastener so it can't pop off)
I'm getting interested as well about the fitbit, but now I want to figure which one i want.
OP, I found the flex online at walmart. I did see the fitbit hr (the one I originally wanted) for under $150. The fitbit flex is under $100. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fitbit-Flex-Wireless-Activity-Sleep-Band/26469465
@elphie754;32202369 about the fitbit flex, do you find the calorie burns pretty accurate? Or are they over or underestimated by much?0 -
I have had the fitbit flex for almost 2 years now. I love it, but considering "upgrading" to the garmin vivosmart.
Tons of places sell them. You can either go right online to fitbit.com, or if you prefer in person- best buy, Costco, Walmart (pretty sure they sell them).
The flex tracks- steps, calories burned, distance, food (syncs with mfp), and sleep. I do find it keeps me motivated but it seems to be one of the simplier products out there.
Pros: helps me keep active, syncs well with mfp, can go a few days without needing to be charged, can be worn in the shower (the charge and surge models can not). You can change the color of your band.
Cons: the fastener can come off, so I reccommend buying one of the securing bands (slips over the fastener so it can't pop off)
I'm getting interested as well about the fitbit, but now I want to figure which one i want.
OP, I found the flex online at walmart. I did see the fitbit hr (the one I originally wanted) for under $150. The fitbit flex is under $100. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fitbit-Flex-Wireless-Activity-Sleep-Band/26469465
@elphie754;32202369 about the fitbit flex, do you find the calorie burns pretty accurate? Or are they over or underestimated by much?
I find it pretty accurate, but I also have both set to sedentary and eat back a good portion of what it says I've burned (if not all) and I'm losing pretty close to what it says I should be losing.0 -
I bought the Fitbit Charge, I do wish i got the Charge HR but wasn't sure how much i'd actually use / rely on it. I think the social aspect of the App helps to hold you accountable which for me drives me. It also showed me I was doing alot less than I thought I was before i got it!0
-
I have had the fitbit flex for almost 2 years now. I love it, but considering "upgrading" to the garmin vivosmart.
Tons of places sell them. You can either go right online to fitbit.com, or if you prefer in person- best buy, Costco, Walmart (pretty sure they sell them).
The flex tracks- steps, calories burned, distance, food (syncs with mfp), and sleep. I do find it keeps me motivated but it seems to be one of the simplier products out there.
Pros: helps me keep active, syncs well with mfp, can go a few days without needing to be charged, can be worn in the shower (the charge and surge models can not). You can change the color of your band.
Cons: the fastener can come off, so I reccommend buying one of the securing bands (slips over the fastener so it can't pop off)
I'm getting interested as well about the fitbit, but now I want to figure which one i want.
OP, I found the flex online at walmart. I did see the fitbit hr (the one I originally wanted) for under $150. The fitbit flex is under $100. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fitbit-Flex-Wireless-Activity-Sleep-Band/26469465
@elphie754;32202369 about the fitbit flex, do you find the calorie burns pretty accurate? Or are they over or underestimated by much?
I find it pretty accurate, but I also have both set to sedentary and eat back a good portion of what it says I've burned (if not all) and I'm losing pretty close to what it says I should be losing.
Good to know. Thank you
0 -
Get a zip
You can put it on your waistband or in your bra
It is cheaper and the best model I've found tbh (I also have a flex but had no reason to track my sleep)
I do not buy into the rationale behind the HR versions - there is no point in tracking your HR 24 hours unless you have a heart condition, it certainly doesn't give you any more accurate TDEE calorie estimate because the formulae underpinning HR to calories are for steady-state cardio (like jogging at a steady pace) only
I personally have used a fitbit every day for the last 8 months or so to track my movement, my MFP is set to sedentary with negative calories enabled, I am far from sedentary but it works for me. I also use an HRM (Polar FT4) for my workouts.
0 -
I've been using a Fitbit charge HR since February, and I love it. My greatest motivation from it is the social aspect of the steps competitions you can have with your friends (the ones in the same time zone at least).
I do agree with @rabbitjb in that there isn't really a point to tracking your HR 24/7; I use it because I like seeing how my resting HR drops with the more exercise I do, as well as how much it increases when I'm having a stressful week (I watched it jump 10bpm for the whole of last week when I was travelling for work).0 -
I have a zip. It's cheap and helps motivate me to be more active.
I have it synced with MFP, and have allowed negative calorie adjustments so if I'm being a lazy I lose calories to eat, that helps get me off ny butt!
I clip it on my bra as I don't like the look of the wrist bands and can't wear anything on my arms/wrists at work.
My TDEE recorded by the fitbit is accurate according to my fitbit, logging and weightloss calculations.
Cons- the zip needs a battery and can't be recharged. It only measures step based activities (however you can record the times and calories burned for other activities and u do this for cycling, it then overused the step count for that period of time)0 -
+1 that Fitbit TDEE voodoo magically works out: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/PAV8888/view/fitbit-charge-hr-good-idea-accurate-adjustments-741808
+1 that the ZIP will work fine.
I still bought (and would buy) the Charge HR because I like graphs and pictures and wavy lines and walk a lot but not if it was a hardship.
-1 in that the Charge HR does NOT count steps accurately when you walk in the 110 to 130 steps a minute range. So, I still don't understand how the burn ends up right!
Edit to add info covered in my blog post:
-1 in that the Charge HR also doesn't do accurate HR under exercise conditions. So, I still don't understand how the burn ends up right!0 -
+1 on the accuracy of the Fitbit generated TDEE if you mostly engage in steady state cardio activity. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/PAV8888/view/fitbit-charge-hr-good-idea-accurate-adjustments-741808
+1 that the ZIP will calculate your TDEE as effectively as the pricier HR versions. I still bought (and would buy) the Charge HR because I like graphs and pictures and wavy lines and walk a lot; but not if it was a hardship.
what graphs and pictures and wavy lines do you get over and above standard fitbit stuff though - I assume there's a HR tracker but what else?0 -
Err. That. I am easily amused!what graphs and pictures and wavy lines do you get over and above standard fitbit stuff though - I assume there's a HR tracker but what else?
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ivy2PKgcqcdkY3MklPamVSYVE&usp=sharing0 -
Just be aware that at high HR levels the wrist monitors are NOT accurate at all! I've tried about 3 of them (both Charge HR and Surge), Microsoft Band and they drop out like crazy once you get to an anaerobic level. For just walking around then it's fine.0
-
Err. Correct. The only ones that work are the Mio/Philips sensor products (Mio, Tom Tom Cardio, others?), and the valencell sensor (Scorsche Rhythm+)Just be aware that at high HR levels the wrist monitors are NOT accurate at all! I've tried about 3 of them (both Charge HR and Surge), Microsoft Band and they drop out like crazy once you get to an anaerobic level. For just walking around then it's fine.
0 -
I've had the fitbit flex since Christmas and I love it. It really does motivate me to work out/walk more. My husband has hardly had to walk the dog since I got it. I just changed my activity level on MFP to sedentary with the fitbit adjustment to see how it goes with weightloss.
The competitions are fun, but my sister, cousin and I are way too competitive so I haven't done with them for the last few months. We all take it too seriously.
ETA: I eat back all or most of the exercise calories it gives me. I average about 13-14K steps per day.0 -
Why does everyone eat back the calories? I thought you wouldn't want to eat back the work out calories?!?! What am I not understanding?
0 -
I have a Charge HR and I love it! Wearing it every day has been super motivating for me.0
-
Have had the fitbit one for about 2 years and love it. I charge it about every 10 days, usually when i am playing on the computer. It keeps me motivated with the step counting. When working out I find the active minutes tracking as well as the step counter and kilometres covered featues useful to make sure that I am not slacking off. I do used the sleep feature as I occasionally suffer from insomnia and it gives me a better perspective on how much sleep I have really had. My husband uses the alarm on him to wake him up, and as I am a light sleeper the vibration/alarm wakes me to. I was thinking of upgrading to one with a hr monitor as well but having read the above posts I will probably stick with this one ad it does what I need.0
-
I asked for & received a Fitbit One for Christmas 2014. LOVE it. Have tried a wrist based tracker, but I don't wear a watch & don't like having it on my wrist. The One attaches to my pocket/waste/bra and seems very accurate. Have heard sometimes the wrist worn trackers don't count properly depending on what you're doing with your arms.
There are different manufacturers and each has several models to choose from. Most track steps, estimate calories burned from activity, estimate miles covered (based on a stride setting usually, not GPS). Some are water proof (Polar Loop), some are water resistant (Fitbit Flex). Some have inactivity alerts that will get your attention if you've been still for too long. Fitbit has the ability to add friends and do challenges with friends - not sure if the others do?
Some have the ability to work with a heart rate monitor - but keep in mind this is for cardio sessions, not all day use. Most have rechargeable batteries. I plug the One in when I'm showering.GorgeousLynn808 wrote: »I'm thinking about getting one but would love to know all about them... Price? Where to get them? What does it track? Does it keep you motivated? The pros? The cons? Etc...
0 -
I love my Charge HR. Other than the stupid rash it gave me on my right arm so now have to wear it on my left which is completely awful. I am quite childish... I love the HR. I watched it soar to 109 from 59 when I got told I had tickets to a concert I was really wanting to go to. Hahahaha. Small things amuse small minds.0
-
Your MFP setup has a deficit built in. If your device shows you've earned calories, that is above and beyond your deficit.
Example: MFP thinks you're going to burn 2000, you want to lose 1 pound a week so your goal is 1500. Fitbit communicates that you are on course to burn 2250. A 500 deficit would be 1750, you've earned 250 more. Its ok to eat them, you still have a 500 deficit.RolemodelmomT wrote: »Why does everyone eat back the calories? I thought you wouldn't want to eat back the work out calories?!?! What am I not understanding?
0 -
StaciMarie1974 wrote: »Your MFP setup has a deficit built in. If your device shows you've earned calories, that is above and beyond your deficit.
Example: MFP thinks you're going to burn 2000, you want to lose 1 pound a week so your goal is 1500. Fitbit communicates that you are on course to burn 2250. A 500 deficit would be 1750, you've earned 250 more. Its ok to eat them, you still have a 500 deficit.RolemodelmomT wrote: »Why does everyone eat back the calories? I thought you wouldn't want to eat back the work out calories?!?! What am I not understanding?
Thanks so much, I totally understand now!!0 -
I have the flex and absolutely love it. The final selling point for me is that it is water resistant so it can be worn 24/7, even in the shower and while swimming. You have to remember to clip the One or the Zip to your clothing and to remove it before laundry. I found a seller that has the bands for about $3 each so I have several and can change colors to match my clothing.
I found the calories burned to be reasonably accurate. I eat back about 75% of my extras earned.0 -
I was just looking on the Fitbit site as I too have been interested in getting one. I have a few friends that have one and they love it!! But as mentioned above, there are quite a few to choose from...I am debating between the Flex, Charge and ChargeHR. Of those three, besides price, which one is better for determining activity level that isn't just walking? Someone mentioned that wearing it on your wrist doesn't accurately measure steps, has anyone else found this? Too many choices
0 -
RolemodelmomT wrote: »Someone mentioned that wearing it on your wrist doesn't accurately measure steps, has anyone else found this? Too many choices
No, I haven't found this at all. There is a fallacy going around that you have to swing your arm in order to count steps but it isn't true. Some have noticed that when holding on to something that vibrates your arm a little like a stroller or grocery cart you might not get every step counted but that is because the tracker counts steps by registering vibrations going through your body and it occasionally gets confused by continuous vibrations rather than the ones caused by steps. Unless the majority of your walking is pushing a stroller or grocery shopping it is not enough to be an issue.
I have tested this a number of times. I have held my arm still and run "continuous sync" on my phone and manually counted steps. I got all the steps I manually counted. I have also sat in a chair and swung my arm like I do when walking and I did not get any steps counted. If you jerk your arm (or like me hit a door jamb or something) you might get a false step counted but again, it isn't enough to be an issue. Nothing is going to be perfect.
0 -
I just bought a FitBit Flex and it's already helped quite a bit. I can see my sleeping patterns and determine exactly why I'm so tired every day (turns out I'm up 7 or 8 times a night - which would make sense). I wore it on the elliptical this morning and the MFP corrected calories burned for the FitBit were only 3 off from what the actual machine said. For me, I couldn't spend $150 on the Charge HR, but the Flex was on sale and I've already fallen in love with it
0 -
I love my Flex, most of the time. I never forget it because I rarely take it off. The only real problem I have is that there is a general design flaw in how it charges. If it doesn't sit in the charger just right it won't take the charge, or worse will start to charge and then drain itself. I have found ways around that, but they are hit or miss. But aside from that, I love having it and don't think I would have lost as much weight as I have without it. (Someday I would like to upgrade to the Charge HR, but it's not in my budget for now.)
Editing to add a thought about the sleep tracking. I don't use it because I don't find it helpful. I have sleep apnea and have had tests done, and what I saw on the Fitbit sleep tracking did not jive with what I know doctors have told me about my own sleep patterns. But I can't speak for how well it works for people who don't have sleep disorders, so take my thoughts on it with a grain of salt. 0 -
I've had a flex since Christmas
Pros:
- cheap compared to other trackers
- tracks my sleep which is cool even if it's not that useful
- silent alarm is GREAT
- calories burned seem to be pretty accurate
- waterproof
- can set activity records to track my runs (then compare calories to online calculators or HRM!)
- allows me to eat different amounts based on my activity, because it varies a lot
- motivates me to hit my step target on relatively active days
- syncs well with MFP and lots of other apps (Mapmyrun)
Cons:
- doesn't pick up all my steps at work because I'm pushing a trolley the whole time, seems to be 50% accuracy, so I put it in my pocket which works fine
- doesn't have MFP's security to stop you undereating (if you want a 1000 calorie deficit but only burn 1500 calories, Fitbit is happy to tell you to eat 500!) but if you sync with MFP, you still get that
- makes me upset to miss my step targets on inactive days!!
- has a really bad food database (might be because I'm UK and it has only US options)
If you've got a lifestyle that's more than sedentary, I'd recommend getting one, especially if your activity varies through the week. Fitbit allows me to eat more on busy days without having to calculate simply "being busy" as exercise, or set a higher activity level that means I'm overeating on lazy days!
Personally, the Flex really suits me. I won't forget it, because I can see/feel if I've got it on. The silent alarms are useful, the sleep tracking is kind of fun. I work around it not picking up my steps at work very well (if you have young kids and will be using a pushchair a lot it might be an issue, otherwise can't see it being a problem for people who don't do my job!).0 -
Get a zip
You can put it on your waistband or in your bra
It is cheaper and the best model I've found tbh (I also have a flex but had no reason to track my sleep)
I do not buy into the rationale behind the HR versions - there is no point in tracking your HR 24 hours unless you have a heart condition, it certainly doesn't give you any more accurate TDEE calorie estimate because the formulae underpinning HR to calories are for steady-state cardio (like jogging at a steady pace) only
I personally have used a fitbit every day for the last 8 months or so to track my movement, my MFP is set to sedentary with negative calories enabled, I am far from sedentary but it works for me. I also use an HRM (Polar FT4) for my workouts.
@rabbitjb Great info shared, Thanks! No reason to purchase something more than one needs... glad you mentioned that
Interested if one exists that tracks in water... I heard of an off brand from Scheels that works pretty good while swimming but don't have personal experience with it. Does the fit bit brand handle water workouts well?
EDIT: ha obviously I scanned far too quickly as I see a response for the water question up above. 0 -
I have had the Surge HR for about a month now, and I love it! I love all of the activity tracking you can do along with the GPS and HR monitor included. I love having everything in one little device on my wrist, and the HR monitor is really accurate!
I was originally going to get the Charge HR because it is a thinner band, but I'm really glad I went for the bigger screen on the Surge. I don't think I would have been happy with the smaller screen on the Charge HR0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions