Best fitness tracker for "other" (not just steps)
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »OK then so what "speedometer" should I get? I'm mainly looking for calorie burn info as steps are not really relevant.
Given that you're talking about essentially aerobic interval type activity, the only way to get a more accurate estimation than you're already getting is in a lab.
Spend the money on trainers.
I use mine for bodyweight HIIT style training and superset style dumbbell strength training. I have always eaten most of the calories given and it hasn't affected my losses at all. In fact, when I don't eat them all I lose a little faster. I'm going to call that accurate enough to continue using a tracker.0 -
I've been reading Garmin has longevity issues, with trackers failing after 2-4 months. The reviews of the Polar band (but not the band 2) were good for accuracy of calorie burn, but I did quite fancy being able to change/accesorise the strap.
I'm beyond the 4 month with my VivoActive and no issues. I really like it (don't like the VivoSmart) but I need waterproof so the FitBit's were out for me (and I don't do Apple).0 -
@VintageFeline I get the part about wearing the strap when exercising, but if it collects only data for exercising why do you wear it all day? Or does it count regular walking as daily activity like say Fitbit and then gives you those cals back as well?0
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lemonychild wrote: »@VintageFeline I get the part about wearing the strap when exercising, but if it collects only data for exercising why do you wear it all day? Or does it count regular walking as daily activity like say Fitbit and then gives you those cals back as well?
@lemonychild Yes it's like any other tracker, it also counts steps and syncs that data to MFP.0 -
Got you. Can you tell me how much u walk approximately and what the garmin "gives back" on those steps? @VintageFeline thanks for all your help. I have been considering going back to a strap for exercise but wasn't sure if it was necessary0
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@lemonychild Like with any exercise it's going to be dependant on your weight. The larger you are the more calories you get. And I am very sedentary on the whole so take this with a grain of salt!
But, last year on holiday, I was 172lbs and doing at least 20'000 steps most days. I would get about 400 calories back. I'm going to be doing similar when I go away again in April so I'm interested to see how big an impact being a lower weight will have!
Garmins' calorie calculations (they use a different method/algorithm/forumal to MFP) can be a little funky so it's important to set it up correctly so the adjustments to MFP are correct (this is easy, just alarming if you don't realise you need to do it. They changed it sometime last year and I was thoroughly confused for a while!).0 -
I've been reading Garmin has longevity issues, with trackers failing after 2-4 months. The reviews of the Polar band (but not the band 2) were good for accuracy of calorie burn, but I did quite fancy being able to change/accesorise the strap.
The first generation VivoSmart had a class wide problem that led to Garmin replacing a lot. They've changed the design of the second and third generation significantly.
Personally I'd recommend Garmin followed by Polar followed a long way behind by FitBit.0 -
Hi all. I'm thinking about investing (a small amount!) in a fitness tracker to get a more accurate idea of my calories expended, but most of the ones I've seen seem to only log steps - I know I burn more in a zumba class than I would in the same time walking round the shopping centre! I don't want to spend too much (under £100) and I need something not too big. Also I have a windows phone (android tablet) so not sure what would sync best, or if I should just manually transfer the burn to MFP?
Thanks all! Got to spend that birthday money.......
I'm also a Windows Phone person and I use the Microsoft Band 2. It integrates very well with Windows Mobile 10. Some (many?) have had issues with the band tearing, but I'm several months in and no problems so far. They are no longer for sale but are readily available on Amazon and Ebay but may be a bit above your target price point.
Also, without getting into the technical specifics, Microsoft has an update to Win Mobile 10 due this spring that is supposed to add a feature set to allow wearables like fitness trackers to integrate better with Windows. Fitbit has already announced they will roll the new tech into their software to allow notifications of calls, texts and such to your wrist.0 -
Thanks all. Edging back to the vivoactive, although I also looked at the Mii band 2. I think I will sleep on it and decide tomirrow.0
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I have a Fitbit surge and while I do like it I bought my son the Garmin vivoactive HR for Christmas and it is far superior to the surge for the same price point. Once my surge dies I am moving to Garmin as I think their products are far superior to Fitbit.0
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That is simply crazy. I'm in the 160s and I get like 800 for those numbers0
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Do you use a screen protector on your devices? Another thing to agonise about!
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lemonychild wrote: »That is simply crazy. I'm in the 160s and I get like 800 for those numbers
Well, my numbers are tested, I eat pretty much all exercise back, including days I do get a reasonable amount of walking in and I lose exactly as I should. 800 seems crazy to me!
Edit: That said, this may have been after Garmin changed their formula and before I adjusted my settings to allow for it, so maybe I could have got more but i don't think it would be as high as 800. I'll find out in April!0 -
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Just bought a Vivofit 3 garmin, waterproof yay
was wondering how to get it to register activity. I set the timer and stop when finished etc but it never shows up when scrolling through the screens - do I need a HRM band thingy?
Also doesn't seem to want to sync to my computer but have yet to try the reinstalling fix
All in all, I like it, but not sure I will keep it - seems to be similar reads to MFP. tells me I burn 500cals sleeping?? average 2000 burnt a day with swimming and squash and general walking and work etc0 -
OK I've ordered a Vivofit 3 plus a pack of 10 replacement bands in funky colours! happy birthday me (next week).
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Just bought a Vivofit 3 garmin, waterproof yay
was wondering how to get it to register activity. I set the timer and stop when finished etc but it never shows up when scrolling through the screens - do I need a HRM band thingy?
Also doesn't seem to want to sync to my computer but have yet to try the reinstalling fix
All in all, I like it, but not sure I will keep it - seems to be similar reads to MFP. tells me I burn 500cals sleeping?? average 2000 burnt a day with swimming and squash and general walking and work etc
I'm not sure on the exercise thing, I've always used a chest strap with my trackers. I don't know how the band would know how much effort you're exerting without a HRM.0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »Just bought a Vivofit 3 garmin, waterproof yay
was wondering how to get it to register activity. I set the timer and stop when finished etc but it never shows up when scrolling through the screens - do I need a HRM band thingy?
Also doesn't seem to want to sync to my computer but have yet to try the reinstalling fix
All in all, I like it, but not sure I will keep it - seems to be similar reads to MFP. tells me I burn 500cals sleeping?? average 2000 burnt a day with swimming and squash and general walking and work etc
I'm not sure on the exercise thing, I've always used a chest strap with my trackers. I don't know how the band would know how much effort you're exerting without a HRM.
it says it has something called 'intensity minutes' which is what you start and stop with the timer. meh, not too fussed0 -
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FYI - I had the Polar with the chest strap and found it way overestimated calories burned. With the Polar, a 45 minute cycle class would burn 1100 calories. With the Garmin, that same class burns about 300.0
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rachelleahsmom wrote: »FYI - I had the Polar with the chest strap and found it way overestimated calories burned. With the Polar, a 45 minute cycle class would burn 1100 calories. With the Garmin, that same class burns about 300.
My burns with Garmin have always been spot on. On my Vivoactive you can download apps for specific exercise, I have GymTimer for my HIIT and strength training. Eat all those calories. Lose exactly as I should. I look at other brands now and again but I don't know if I could ever give up Garmin!0 -
SkinnyGirlCarrie wrote: »I have a Fitbit Flex (no issues yet with wristband) for my daily activities and then I wear the Bluetooth Polar H7 chest strap/heart rate monitor which I pair with the iCardio app for my actual workouts. Been using both for several years and find their estimation to be spot on for me. If you are looking to just tracking your workouts I would recommend the Polar H7 paired with an app (you can see what works with your phone) - the H7 is only about $70 and then the iCardio app for the upgraded app that can track sensors was a one time fee of like $5...good luck!
I am also trying to decide what fitness tracker I want. I have been researching for a couple days and I am making myself crazy! I LOVE Polar because I have always had success with my FT7 and the chest strap. So I was looking at the A300 or the M200. But they look SO big compared to the Fitbit Charge 2 or Fitbit Blaze. But with what you said, it sounds like I can get the best of both words. For the iCardio app, do you use the free one, iCardio Workout Tracker & Heart Rate Trainer by iTMP Technology? And just purchase the update that tracks sensors? Thanks!0 -
I would suggest getting a Garmin vivoactive HR (VHR). They are a little pricey but you can use it for multiple exercises such as weightlifting, swimming, cycling, running and a many more. All of these exercises will prvide you with an approximate calorie expenditure. Outside of going into the lab nothing is going to give totally accurate absolute calorie expenditure. Firstly, yes the VHR is a little big for females. However there are plenty of females that wear them. Meandering is correct with their analysis, the devices base calorie counts on calculated differences of your heart rates during rest and activities. To do something like zumba you would select the cardio app on the VHR press start when you begin and it will measure your steps, hr, and calories expenditure. The VHR in my open is best worn tight when exercising. Also you must remember to input your correct settings, height, age etc. One final note be aware with Garmin Connect that your total calorie burn , will be your total exercise calorie expenditure + your calculated BMR. So if you start an exercise and stand there for 30 minutes your calorie burn will be like 5, but if you run for the 30 minutes, it will be like 50+ 5= 55. Those are just arbitrary values everyone's calorie counts would be different.0
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I've lost, gained and maintained exactly as I should by using my Fitbit (first a flex, now a blaze.) They have both worked great besides the band issue (definitely doesn't hold up too well.) I think that when it comes time to replace the blaze I will try a Garmin just to change it up but I have nothing but love for my fitbit. it is a good tool for a casual user, helps with motivation and is probably the widest used device and therefore the best for the social aspects of the app (challenges, pokes etc.) Ignore the negative nancies who poo poo all trackers. You do you!0
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OK I want mine NOW! Should I download the garmin app first or wait til it arrives? And should I do it on my windows phone and on the (android) tablet, or one first, or only one? The questions just never end, do they?
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OK I want mine NOW! Should I download the garmin app first or wait til it arrives? And should I do it on my windows phone and on the (android) tablet, or one first, or only one? The questions just never end, do they?
You could download and get started with inputting your stats and adjusting the activity level (I recommend low, say 2, so it marries up nicely with MFP adjustments wise).
Not sure which device would be better as I'm an Apple user and have it on my phone because that's what I use for MFP.0 -
I use both for MFP, plus work PC sometimes! Day off tomorrow so might have a play around on the tablet.0
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I've lost, gained and maintained exactly as I should by using my Fitbit (first a flex, now a blaze.) They have both worked great besides the band issue (definitely doesn't hold up too well.) I think that when it comes time to replace the blaze I will try a Garmin just to change it up but I have nothing but love for my fitbit. it is a good tool for a casual user, helps with motivation and is probably the widest used device and therefore the best for the social aspects of the app (challenges, pokes etc.) Ignore the negative nancies who poo poo all trackers. You do you!
I also have lost with fitbit and so have many others...i like the idea of a strap -- guess i'll take it into consideration1 -
I have a series 1 Apple Watch and love it. It's really been a perfect match for me.0
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I have a refurbished Garmin Vivosmart HR. Love it. The only evidence of being "refurbished" was the box it came in. It included everything and looked brand new.0
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