Trying to decide if I should buy a FITBIT
TamLam99
Posts: 247 Member
I use a pretty accurate Omron pedometer that tells me regular steps, aerobic steps, calories burned, and distance. One of the issues is that most of my exercise doesn't even register on it since I do a lot of bike riding and punching bag. So the pedometer just picks up the daily steps of walking around the house, errands, etc. Would the FITBIT pick up the bike riding and arm movements from punching or does it work similar to the pedometer ? Also, what other features on the FITBIT do you find really helpful that a pedometer does not have? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the money or not, any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Depends on the model. I have a Fitbit One that you clip to your core so it mostly measures step and stairs. The writs models would pick up punching but probably not biking, although some of them have heart rate monitors built into them that you might find useful. The app for fitbit would allow you to add in other activities, and it is pretty nice.0
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Similar to the pedometer as far as registering movement.
I don't have a Fitbit, but I have something similar. What makes it worth the money to me is being able to track progress and see that I need to get out of the chair, away from the computer, and go get in some exercise.
When I first got the band, I'd look at the info and think "yeah, ok, cool" but didn't really get the most out of it. Once I decided to be more proactive about what the band saw, my TDEE started going up and up. I'm in the 3700-3800 calorie a day range for maintenance, now. That's pretty awesome to me, and I wouldn't be close to that without the band.0 -
I like the Fitbit. I have the Zip. It doesn't do great on the bike riding. I'm going to try clipping to my pant leg and see how it works. It registers alot of activity. It also registers how many calories you body burns just functioning. You can factor that in with the 1200 and find exercises you enjoy. That's the only way to lose weight. Keep Moving0
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It's a pedometer, meant to measure step activity. If you get one of the wrist-worn models it'd register punching, but it would think punches are steps and thus give you inaccurate calorie counts. They also register steps while bike riding, which is why I leave my Fitbit One at home while cycling. I don't want non-steps showing up as steps and miles walked.
My advice would be to just stick with what you have and record non-step activity manually. The main benefit with Fitbits and other pedometers is their motivational value. If your current pedometer tracks steps all day, both intentional walks and general walking activity, I don't see much value in getting a new one.0 -
I have the charge Hr and it does pick up "active time".. I'm only assuming that when the heart rate is up for a period of time, thats how it is determined. (just a guess though). I love mine in that I sit all day at work and I have alarms programmed to go off to remind me to get up and go do some stairs.
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I just upgraded to the Fitbit Charge HR, and I really love it because it does pick up those extra activities. So, if I'm doing a home workout, I can track it separately (you could do the same with bike riding and other non-step activity). So far, I find it be very accurate. I was worried that it would overestimate my burn, but from what I can tell, it's spot on.
All the other functions would be similar to what you already have.0 -
some really good info here. I'm also researching reviews on amazon.com and of course there are good and bad opinions.0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »Similar to the pedometer as far as registering movement.
I don't have a Fitbit, but I have something similar. What makes it worth the money to me is being able to track progress and see that I need to get out of the chair, away from the computer, and go get in some exercise.
When I first got the band, I'd look at the info and think "yeah, ok, cool" but didn't really get the most out of it. Once I decided to be more proactive about what the band saw, my TDEE started going up and up. I'm in the 3700-3800 calorie a day range for maintenance, now. That's pretty awesome to me, and I wouldn't be close to that without the band.
which one do you have ? I'm not really familiar with the other brands.0 -
I just upgraded to the Fitbit Charge HR, and I really love it because it does pick up those extra activities. So, if I'm doing a home workout, I can track it separately (you could do the same with bike riding and other non-step activity). So far, I find it be very accurate. I was worried that it would overestimate my burn, but from what I can tell, it's spot on.
All the other functions would be similar to what you already have.
To add in the extra activity is it as simple as going to the online or phone app and manually adding it ?
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I have a Jawbone UP24 and UP2. I kind of like the 24, but it is being phased out, so I'm buying a few here and there when they're on sale. I'm getting more used to the UP2, though. I wish it had Power Nap like the 24, though.DeguelloTex wrote: »Similar to the pedometer as far as registering movement.
I don't have a Fitbit, but I have something similar. What makes it worth the money to me is being able to track progress and see that I need to get out of the chair, away from the computer, and go get in some exercise.
When I first got the band, I'd look at the info and think "yeah, ok, cool" but didn't really get the most out of it. Once I decided to be more proactive about what the band saw, my TDEE started going up and up. I'm in the 3700-3800 calorie a day range for maintenance, now. That's pretty awesome to me, and I wouldn't be close to that without the band.
which one do you have ? I'm not really familiar with the other brands.
As far as I know, the software and functionality is pretty similar. It's mostly a question of which one you like more or which one is on sale. My wife likes her Fitbit about as much as I like my bands.
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I just upgraded to the Fitbit Charge HR, and I really love it because it does pick up those extra activities. So, if I'm doing a home workout, I can track it separately (you could do the same with bike riding and other non-step activity). So far, I find it be very accurate. I was worried that it would overestimate my burn, but from what I can tell, it's spot on.
All the other functions would be similar to what you already have.
To add in the extra activity is it as simple as going to the online or phone app and manually adding it ?
There's a function on the fitbit itself where you hold the button in when you start your activity, and then hold it in again when you're done. During that time period it'll track your heart rate, how many steps you took and how many calories you've burned and it'll automatically upload the stats to your dashboard.
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I cant believe all the different models on amazon of FITBIT and Jawbone. You guys mentioned a few of them (one, zip, charge). What's so strange to me is that you can't look at the band and see the info, you have to download. That is really different from the pedometer too where I get immediate gratification.0
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Well, the Jawbone (I'm sure the Fitbit, as well) use Bluetooth to sync to your phone automatically. You can also force a sync.I cant believe all the different models on amazon of FITBIT and Jawbone. You guys mentioned a few of them (one, zip, charge). What's so strange to me is that you can't look at the band and see the info, you have to download. That is really different from the pedometer too where I get immediate gratification.
I can just look at my phone and see that I've taken 7,712 steps, 61% of my goal.
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I cant believe all the different models on amazon of FITBIT and Jawbone. You guys mentioned a few of them (one, zip, charge). What's so strange to me is that you can't look at the band and see the info, you have to download. That is really different from the pedometer too where I get immediate gratification.
The FitBits Charge HR and Surge allow you to view time/date, steps, calories, floors climbed, HR, distance, calories. Not all of them require a download to get the info. I have a Charge HR and love it.0 -
I cant believe all the different models on amazon of FITBIT and Jawbone. You guys mentioned a few of them (one, zip, charge). What's so strange to me is that you can't look at the band and see the info, you have to download. That is really different from the pedometer too where I get immediate gratification.
The FitBits Charge HR and Surge allow you to view time/date, steps, calories, floors climbed, HR, distance, calories. Not all of them require a download to get the info. I have a Charge HR and love it.
I really like my fb charge hr.... I just found out over the weekend that I can just tap the screen on my band and the display comes up.... I don't have to search for the side button....daaaa....lol0 -
I am actually looking at the Charge HR right now on amazon - it does everything. $1500
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if it motivates me to move more than it's probably worth the money. decisions, decisions
Thanks for all the great info.0 -
I have the Charge HR and it really does motivate me to move more. I started the summer making sure I got my 10K steps, then I raised it to 12K, now I try to get 15k each day. I have not tried the exercise feature to measure calories burned during my workouts, but I do notice that it does monitor that I burn more calories on days when I do cardio and adds more calories to MFP.
For example on a cardio day I may register only 12K steps but have over 200 calories more burned than days when I have over 14K steps but did not do cardio.0 -
I cant believe all the different models on amazon of FITBIT and Jawbone. What's so strange to me is that you can't look at the band and see the info, you have to download.
Fitbit Charge, Charge HR, and Surge all display your stats. One or more of the clip-ons do, too: https://www.fitbit.com/compare Charge HR is only US$20 more than Charge but has a secure buckle (rather than a clasp) plus a heart-rate monitor.
All Fitbits calculate your TDEE and sync with MFP. Non-step exercise (like swimming or biking) needs to be logged either in Fitbit or in MFP—never both. Exercise logged in MFP overwrites your Fitbit burn during that time.
You can learn more in the Fitbit Users group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users0 -
thanks for that fitbit link, I'm sure I'll find a lot of good info there0
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I got my hr charger today!!! I am loving the heart rate !!! When I am at home I can do my step and get my heart rate up throughout the day 5 mins there 10 mins here when ever a good song comes on or just because. I can see that I am burning more cals0
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the Charge HR band looks really wide, is it as huge as it looks ?0
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yeah, I was thinking about that - it would be nice to see them in person and try them on.0
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editorgrrl wrote: »
that's funny about the tan line. I'm also concerned about it feeling sticky when I sweat, which I do sweat a LOT when I'm exercising.
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I've got the Surge and I love it. I don't measure distance or steps...I mainly use it for my overall calorie count and seeing how much I can stuff my face in the evening after a hard day outside.
It does keep me on track and makes me work just that little bit harder...knowing that when I get home and sync it MFP tells me I can scoff a bit more 0 -
Most of the wristband products are pretty much the same for walking and general activity.
I don't care for the wrist based HRMs due to the degree of inaccuracy - I've been using the chest based HRMs for years now. I use a Flex for daily activity and switch to a Polar H7 for longer steady state cardio.0 -
editorgrrl wrote: »
that's funny about the tan line. I'm also concerned about it feeling sticky when I sweat, which I do sweat a LOT when I'm exercising.
I have a Charge HR and I sweat a ton. I have no issues with stickiness.0
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