Buying a Fitbit...Should I? Or NO?

I just ordered on, so excited. I admit i like a gadget, i find they keep me in the game.

For those of your who use both a FitBit and HRM, do you log your HRM calories on MFP or the FitBit site? And how does the HRM work exactly? Does it have a timer that you set before your workout? Do the ladies on here have any issues keeping the chest strap in place?

I wear both my Fitbit and HRM during a workout. I think of MFP as my central "hub" of data - It's where I log my food and track my workouts. The only thing I type into the Fitbit site is to update my weight changes.

If you have to choose between the two, I'd get a nice HRM before getting the Fitbit. If you already have an HRM that you use during workouts, you can add a Fitbit to your "toolbelt". I used the HRM solo for a few months, now I have both and I like how the Fitbit tracks my non-workout activity, as well as my sleep-time.

I have both my HRM and Fitbit on during exercise, and I log the HRM results on MFP. Here's how I do it. When I start exercising, I start my HRM recording and I also press and hold the button on the Fitbit until the timer starts. When exercise ends, I stop my HRM and I again hold the button down on the Fitbit until it says "STOP." Holding the button on the Fitbit in this manner causes it to view the time period between the first time I press and hold the button to the second time as a unique activity period.

Here's how I coordinate the numbers between MFP and Fitbit, using my HRM information for my exercise. First, I check the Activity Log at Fitbit (choose the tab at the top of the dashboard) and determine what time the Fitbit shows the exercise period started. The starting time and length of time exercised is generally within a minute or two of what the HRM says---a nonsignificant difference. Take note of the start time because you will need that to enter in MFP. Then go to exercises in MFP and enter your exercise, including the length of time exercised and the start time from Fitbit. MFP will communicate with Fitbit and that exercise period will show up with the same description you gave it on MFP and the identical calories burned information that you entered from your HRM. This is how you keep from getting credited twice for the exertion during your exercise period. Remember, you have to have synced the MFP and Fitbit sites in order for them to communicate and share information---once the two sites are synced there will be a place for you to enter start time of your exercise period, as it is not there otherwise.

Or, you can just use the Fitbit and forget about the HRM. Most of the time the numbers are fairly similar, although sometimes if the workout is more lifting and doesn't involve much moving around, the Fitbit might credit it with less caloriesi burned. I prefer, for now at least, to use the HRM information.

Nah don't buy it for yourself.... buy it for me instead

Fitbit is nothing more than a glorified pedometer.

If you want something that will give you more impact get a HRM. I HIGHLY suggest getting a digifit setup.

I love my FitBit, most of the complaints on here are down to people not reading the instructions on MFP correctly. It's helped me have a much more accurate calculation of my daily activity and I since discovered that I was underrating every day by about 200 calories (which had caused the scale to stall). It's replaced my pedometer entirely as it's more accurate and I can use it whatever I'm wearing (more of a bonus for ladies than gents, I know). I actually blogged about how to use it with MFP if anyone's interested: http://beyondthebathroomscale.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/btbss-guide-to-fitbit-ultra.html

Edited to add: I agree that a HRM is more useful than a FitBit for intense workouts, I use my FitBit for daily activity and use my HRM for workouts.

I love mine. It motivates me to keep my activity up, and also made it quite clear that I am not sedentary. If you do a lot of exercises that are not walking/running, I would either get the FitBit and a HRM, or decide which was more important to have. I do like seeing how my activity breaks down for the day and where I can improve. I wouldn't trade my FitBit for anything. Maybe sometime this year I'll get a HRM too.

I've had my Fitbit a few months. It IS a glorified pedometer, but I love it anyway. It's not perfect, but it helps motivate me to keep moving and gives me exercise credit for days I'm really active. I have MFP set as sedentary, and I'm not as sedentary as I thought. I work at a desk all day and my Fitbit makes me want to walk at lunch so I can see 10,000 steps when I get home.

The biggest frustration I had was figuring out the calories at first. In the Fitbit site it was set to estimate calories for the day, so if you were really active in the morning and sat all afternoon, you might see a large exercise credit that disappears throughout the day. I switched it on the fitbit site so it's sedentary, and it only gives me credit for movement as it happens, and the problem of disappearing exercise calories was solved.

ETA: The device is pretty well made. I put mine through the washing machine and it came out ok. I would never make that mistake again, but it does prove how sturdy the device is.

Got to chime in even though everyone else has already convinced you. My husband and I consider our fitbits the best (exercise) equipment we ever invested in because we are constantly finding ways to fit more steps into our days. We do our walks but we have also become the folks who park the furthest away at the store, pace during commercials and take the dog out for a short jaunt if we feel our steps are a bit low (the dog heartily approves of the fitbit too). It really does make you aware of your daily activity levels rather than focusing on a set time of an hour or so for exercise per day.

I hurt my knee a few weeks ago so have had to curtail my walking. Boo. Hopefully I'll be better soon.

Debbie

Are they available in Canada? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

You can order if from the Fitbit website. Be prepared to be hit with import fees. I think it was $12?

Thanks

I was a bit unsure as to whether to get one myself or not & now I so want one! I hope my hubby has taken the hint & is getting me one for my birthday next week!

Wondering the same thing

I use a free app on my android phone. there are literally 100's of them.

I have one and I really like it. It tells me how many calories I burn, how many steps I take, how many stairs I've climbed and on their website it would track your progress and tell you if you need to exercise more or what your best days are. It's small so you can put it in your pocket or bra!

I swear by my heart rate monitor. The fit bit doesn't properly track calories because it's not basing it off of your heart rate, just on the steps you take which can be extremely inaccurate. I have a HRM that just tracks my heart rate, calories and time but a friend of mine paid a little extra and got a Garmin HRM which tracks steps taken, calories and it even has a GPS and can tell you the path you traveled! Mine was $80 and hers was about $120. Worth every penny!