Should I buy Fitbit

I've posted a similar post this morning As I want to get a tracker but I've seen for years so many people saying Fitbit isn't accurate on calorie burn ... Argh.

I'm also considering a Fitbit but wondering what the benefits are beyond counting steps. If Fitbit doesn't accurately track calories burned, is there something out there that is better?

hazleyes81 wrote: »

You can get a pedometer without getting a "Fitbit", whether you mean that brand specifically or an activity tracker in general. The advantage to a pedometer or activity tracker is that you don't have to have your phone on you every single moment to count all your steps throughout the day. The advantage of an activity tracker over a pedometer is you will get more data or features than with a regular pedometer. Only you know if it is worth it (financially, etc), though.

I used to use my pedometer because we did activity challenges at work based on # of steps. It was a lot of fun. We found that the most effective way to use the pedometer is to put it on your shoe itself, not your hip like most people do. You can find ones with a normal clip and clip it in between your shoe laces. After a day or two you don't notice it. I would suggest paying $15-$20 for a pedometer. That price range will usually find you a good one without paying a lot of money for it.

I now use my iphone 5s because I always have my phone on me and my Health app is synced with my MFP but either way I think both of these options are best if you are only concerned about your # of steps. There are other benefits to the fitbits it just depends on what you are wanting it for.

I personally prefer my fitbit vs my iphone 6. I strap my fit bit around my ankle with the help of some ribbon and away I go. It counts all my steps regardless of whether I have my phone with me. I wear it on my wrist at night and it does a "FAIR' job of tracking my sleep pattern. And I love the fact that it has a soft vibrating alarm to wake me each morning. But it is truly a matter of personal preference. I am now up to 20-25k steps daily. It alerts me when I have reached my daily 10k goal. And if you have friends with fitbits, you are apply to challenge each other with various types of challenges. For me, that part is a great motivational tool. I am currently in a work week challenge with me daughter and since Monday morning I have over 142k steps in. I found my fitbit charge (mine is not the charge hr) on sale for $80.00. The benefits for me were worth it.
Let me know what you decide.
And good luck to you no matter which route you take.

I am in the process of saving up for a fitbit charge HR. I started to use a pedometer and I put on the waist of my pants but the only issue I have with that is when it gets bumped or anything it registers that as a step so it ends up being off some. I know some people who have the fitbit charge HR and they love it.

Fitbit keeps you motivated, or at least that's how I feel. But my Fitbit Charge fell apart so I am getting the new model coming out due to the fact that the Charge has/had a design flaw that makes it come apart easily.

I have an UP3 (Jawbone). I use it for steps and sleep tracking, but ignore the calorie counts. I use a Garmin watch with GPS and an actual chest strap HRM for when I am running because I want that to be accurate.

I think they can be useful as motivators and for keeping track of trends. But someone posted this in the other thread and I thought it was interesting...
http://www.wthr.com/story/31285468/sometimes-your-fitness-tracker-lies-a-lot-fitbit-jawbone-garmin-ifit-misfit-accuracy

Basically, all the trackers are decent at steps, a little less so but still good at distances, and bad at calories and heart rate (because they all use wrist devices).

Have one on loan at the moment to see if I want one. I don't. My day and exercise aren't based around steps so it is a waste of time for me.

If I decide I want to go for a fast paced walk for exercise I will just clip on an old fashioned pedometer that will give me the results for that particular event.

Walking in place as I wash the dished or watch TV,to hit an arbitrary number, just isn't my cup of tea.

If you think it will make you move more, go for it.

Cheers, h.

Use an existing pedometer when I want steps-its quite good with extra features like distance. When I want HR I use my existing Bowflex HRM that also gives calories, fat burned and other features. Already got it figured out whether I had a good nights sleep or not and don't care if it syncs with anything. Go economical until you figure out what is important to you, not what looks cool on your wrist.

I use a Garmin I really like it cuz I can wear it in the shower whirlpool and never have to take it off.

Yes. It changed my life. You feel more responsible for your own actions. You keep yourself accountable. And it's fun too have challenges with your friends. It's awesome

I love my Fitbit charge hr. Just switched from Garmin Vivofit. Way more accurate for me, love the group challenges and chat, and automatic exercise recognition.

My exercise is mostly cardio based. Walking golf tennis volleyball.

I have got the FB surge, which has continuous HR monitoring in there, but what FB does really well, is provide challenges and motivation. If you go for (any) activity tracker, go for one with continuous HRM, as it will help with you whole lifestyle (definitely noticed I was not (and am not) sleeping enough uninterrupted hours )