Is fitbit worth it??

I want a Charge HR but Fitbit size guide says I'll need an XL which isn't available in the UK.
I don't think I have that large a wrist but obviously I do.
A colleague is getting a Surge in large so will try his for size before deciding.

tweaker62 wrote: »

I want a Charge HR but Fitbit size guide says I'll need an XL which isn't available in the UK.
I don't think I have that large a wrist but obviously I do.
A colleague is getting a Surge in large so will try his for size before deciding.

Go by the size guide—all four models are sized differently.

I love my Fitbit and it never leaves my wrist. I use it to track my steps as well as my calories. I find that it is pretty accurate when I've compared the number it gives me for calories burned vs. HRM vs. machine number vs. MFP number. They are all within about 10 to 20 calories of each other based upon my personal stats. It syncs very nicely with My Fitness Pal. If you're using it to track calories burned you have to make sure you log your exercise into MFP (Not Fitbit), with your starting time and minutes. That way you're not double counting. I just have the basic Fitbit and love it.

By the way, did you see the new Bellabeat Leaf? I just ordered one and expect to get it the second week of July. It's beautiful and does everything Fitbit does and more

I was looking at activity trackers, looked at loads, I thought it would be handy to get one that's compatable with MFP but didn't know if it was worth the cost! Checked out the competition, looked at reviews and comparisons and top 10 polls for activity trackers. In the end I paid £20 for my Mi activity and sleep tracker. Works on Bluetooth to load the data onto a free smart phone/ tablet app. It tracks steps, and activities like running, also my sleep habits too. You log weight and other bits like goal etc, it's showerproof and stores data for 7 days. Bonus is its battery is rechargeable via sub and it lasts for 30 days!!!! There is no monitor so it doesn't drain the battery, only the vibrations for goal progress and daily target met, also the alarm drains battery quicker. Only thing it doesn't do is my heart rate but I'm fine with it. It all depends on what you want it for

I love my fitbit. I have a flex, but if I were ever to buy a new one I would get the clip on one (the zip, I think). I hate that I have to wear the band everyday because its so ugly, but I like knowing my steps. They sell some cute bracelets online that can cover the band, but they're expensive.

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

nablackb wrote: »

I've been trying to decide whether or not to buy a fitbit. My phone has the capability to track steps like a pedometer but I can't keep it on me at my job so that doesn't really help me. I want a way to motivate myself to take those few extra steps everyday.

I'll provide an alternative view. I have a device by a different manufacturer that does exactly the same. I also have a GPS watch that I use principally for running, cycling.

Does it tell me anything I didn't know already? No, but it does corroborate.
Does it motivate me to move more? Not really, but that's just me. On a running day I'll easily do 20-30k steps.
Was it worth it? Meh, undecided. I don't see any compelling value from it, but I picked it up heavily discounted from Amazon.

I'd note that the more expensive models do pimp capabilities that are largely meaningless for most people.

I get far more from my GPS watch as I can compare route, pace, HR, elevation, cadence, ground contact time etc. Cross correlation of the data sets is far more useful than an arbitrary metric unrelated to anything else, like step count.

That's how I see it too. Plus, IMHO, wearing a Fitbit seems to broadcast to the world that you are insecure about your weight/body/health to such an extent that you need to monitor your freakin walking.

Me, I'm fabulous. I walk so everyone can have a better view of my butt, not for fitness.

cushman5279 wrote: »

I love my Fitbit and it never leaves my wrist. I use it to track my steps as well as my calories. I find that it is pretty accurate when I've compared the number it gives me for calories burned vs. HRM vs. machine number vs. MFP number. They are all within about 10 to 20 calories of each other based upon my personal stats. It syncs very nicely with My Fitness Pal. If you're using it to track calories burned you have to make sure you log your exercise into MFP (Not Fitbit), with your starting time and minutes. That way you're not double counting. I just have the basic Fitbit and love it.

By the way, did you see the new Bellabeat Leaf? I just ordered one and expect to get it the second week of July. It's beautiful and does everything Fitbit does and more

Would you mind posting a review for the Bellabeat Leaf on MFP when you receive it?? I googled it and it's so pretty! My birthday is in August, so it may be a potential gift suggestion for the hubs.

GA_belle wrote: »

I have a flex and I love it.

My only complaint is that I've had it just about a year and I'm on my third band. The original one lasted about 7-8 months. I bought a cheap one from amazon that only lasted about three months. I just bought some more from a different amazon seller. I hope they hold up better.

My first Flex band split along the window through which you see the lights. Turns out I was wearing it too tightly. You're supposed to leave it loose enough to permit air to circulate. After that, I had no problems.

An activity tracker is the best thing you can get to lose weight and motivate you.

I started with the Jawbone UP24, and now have the Garmin Vivoactive. I tried a couple of the fitbit devices, but they did not seem to work as well as the Garmin devices.

I started using activity trackers a little over 6 months ago. I set it to lose 1 pound per week, and I have been losing 1 pound per week ever since. I have lost almost 30 pounds so far. I have almost 30 more pounds to go, but I have now doubt that i will meet my goal with no problem. It makes it so easy, even I can do it...:)

editorgrrl wrote: »

klmnumbers wrote: »

my fitbit broke, and i am definitely tempted to buy another one. The great thing about some fitbit models is that it doesn't just track steps. it can monitor HR, sleep, etc. It's a good way to be honest with yourself in determining how sedentary you are.

Did you contact Fitbit customer service? They might replace it for free.

I think that ship, unfortunately, sailed as I don't even know where I put the old one! It split. I had an old one anyway. Got lots of use. A new, fancier one may just be a good birthday present to myself.

Thanks, though!

I bought a Fitbit flex in January and never took it off (only to charge it) during Spring semester at college. It really helped because as a student, it's hard to fit time to work-out, so I made sure I got in my 10,000 steps each day. It maintained my weight incredibly well because I always gain weight on campus xD After the end of the semester I have not used my Fitbit, but I will use it again when I return to campus in August. I say a Fitbit device, or any other tracking device for your wrist, is great to have if you can't find time to work-out. Since it's strapped to your wrist, you don't need to remember to set it up, which can be an inconvenience when you're trying to track your steps each day. Walking a lot throughout the day will definitely keep the weight off.

I've had a charge HR since they came out in the UK. I love it !! I passed my old flex to a friend who had been suffering with back problems and only just started back at work. She's doing so well now it really spurred her on with some very gentle walking to begin with - six months on she beats me some days on step count. I think its a great way of encouraging myself to move more and I also have it linked to MFP, MapMyWalk and Bounts so all the data collected is great to look at too. Since having my Charge HR my resting heart rate has gone from 91 down to 69 - so its not just weight loss benefits that you can track its lots of other things too.

I have a Fitbit Charge that I'm wanting to sell if anyone is interested. It's black and size small.

pollypocket1021 wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

nablackb wrote: »

I've been trying to decide whether or not to buy a fitbit. My phone has the capability to track steps like a pedometer but I can't keep it on me at my job so that doesn't really help me. I want a way to motivate myself to take those few extra steps everyday.

I'll provide an alternative view. I have a device by a different manufacturer that does exactly the same. I also have a GPS watch that I use principally for running, cycling.

Does it tell me anything I didn't know already? No, but it does corroborate.
Does it motivate me to move more? Not really, but that's just me. On a running day I'll easily do 20-30k steps.
Was it worth it? Meh, undecided. I don't see any compelling value from it, but I picked it up heavily discounted from Amazon.

I'd note that the more expensive models do pimp capabilities that are largely meaningless for most people.

I get far more from my GPS watch as I can compare route, pace, HR, elevation, cadence, ground contact time etc. Cross correlation of the data sets is far more useful than an arbitrary metric unrelated to anything else, like step count.

That's how I see it too. Plus, IMHO, wearing a Fitbit seems to broadcast to the world that you are insecure about your weight/body/health to such an extent that you need to monitor your freakin walking.

Me, I'm fabulous. I walk so everyone can have a better view of my butt, not for fitness.

You do realize the "H" in IMHO stands for humble right?