Question: Fitbit (or equivalent) - anyone using one?
- Thread starter CBHScott
- Start date
Kerouac
weird musical dildo
What are you trying to do with it? I purchased a FitBit and was completely disappointed... used it for a couple of weeks and then gave it to my mum, who barely uses it. If you want a fancy pedometer and sleep tracker, it works. If you want a heart rate/activity model, you need something more accurate... I got a Polar FT7 for Xmas and am looking forward to trying it out... the FT60 is also a popular one.
CBHScott
How did I get here?
Well, I just want something that'll give me a little more motivation to stay on track to getting back to a regular workout routine and moving around a bit more, as I have been pretty bad the last two months.
Stratguy
Coffee Junky
I have the Jawbone UP24. Right now, the red Jawbone UP24 is selling for about $69 on Amazon, and that's about $30 less that the blue or black ones.
The Jawbone app tracks steps, which motivates me to move more; gives me a reminder buzz to move, that I can set at the time interval that I desire; tracks my sleep not only telling how long, but also the quality of that sleep by telling me how many times I woke up during the night, and how much deep and light sleep I had (that helps me to consider how coffee and other habits might be affecting my sleep. I can also set my wrist band to emit a buzzing that will wake me in the morning. I does a few more things that I can't remember right now because I am not using them at the moment, but it also provides me daily bits of information on healthier living that I can choose to read in more detail if I want. The other important thing that it does is to allow me to link my stats with a friend that also uses the Jawbone UP (the UP24 links to your phone with bluetooth connect so it is always updating, while the Up version links by using a cable and only updates when connected to the phone). Having a friend's stats, and knowing they can see mine definitely makes me try harder on the days that I don't really feel like doing it.
The Jawbone app tracks steps, which motivates me to move more; gives me a reminder buzz to move, that I can set at the time interval that I desire; tracks my sleep not only telling how long, but also the quality of that sleep by telling me how many times I woke up during the night, and how much deep and light sleep I had (that helps me to consider how coffee and other habits might be affecting my sleep. I can also set my wrist band to emit a buzzing that will wake me in the morning. I does a few more things that I can't remember right now because I am not using them at the moment, but it also provides me daily bits of information on healthier living that I can choose to read in more detail if I want. The other important thing that it does is to allow me to link my stats with a friend that also uses the Jawbone UP (the UP24 links to your phone with bluetooth connect so it is always updating, while the Up version links by using a cable and only updates when connected to the phone). Having a friend's stats, and knowing they can see mine definitely makes me try harder on the days that I don't really feel like doing it.
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bsman
b00b
I'm using one of these little pedometers:
About $15, and it's so small and thin that it slips in a pocket and you don't even notice it. It's nice to have when I am refereeing soccer -- it lets me know how many steps/miles (the display can show both) I've done during the course of a game. I know a lot of guys who were those fancy Garmin GPS watches, FitBits, etc. to do the same thing, but this is about $1-$200 cheaper...
About $15, and it's so small and thin that it slips in a pocket and you don't even notice it. It's nice to have when I am refereeing soccer -- it lets me know how many steps/miles (the display can show both) I've done during the course of a game. I know a lot of guys who were those fancy Garmin GPS watches, FitBits, etc. to do the same thing, but this is about $1-$200 cheaper...
CBHScott
How did I get here?
The UP24 would have won out already, but I have seen a shit ton of QC complaints - the best of which say they are on their 2nd/3rd/4th warranty replacement...I don't like the 5-star : 1-star review ratio at Amazon :-\
B Valley
Rattlesnake Shaker
I found a fitbit that apparently fell off someone's wrist. I put an ad in craigslist but no one ever called. I ordered a charge cable for it so I can open it and see if it's associated with a name or address. If it's not, it's mine.
I currently use 'Map my Walk' iPhone app which is part of the Map My Ride series. It logs your speed and distance, time and elapsed time. Like all apps of this type it eats up your battery, but it's free and it works well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I currently use 'Map my Walk' iPhone app which is part of the Map My Ride series. It logs your speed and distance, time and elapsed time. Like all apps of this type it eats up your battery, but it's free and it works well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CBHScott
How did I get here?
Well, my daughter decided on her own to pick up the Jawbone Up24 after finding it on sale and getting it with gift cards she received 
. We talked yesterday, and she really likes it. She does a lot of walking in the city - especially to-and-from her job, and says so far it seems to track really well. With that said, one of the Best Buy deals of the day today is the Jawbone Up (not the 24 version) for $29.99. Even though these have QC issues, people who bought them seem to love 'em, so for the price and the 1-year warranty, what the heck?
. We talked yesterday, and she really likes it. She does a lot of walking in the city - especially to-and-from her job, and says so far it seems to track really well. With that said, one of the Best Buy deals of the day today is the Jawbone Up (not the 24 version) for $29.99. Even though these have QC issues, people who bought them seem to love 'em, so for the price and the 1-year warranty, what the heck?
BS555
Kick Henry Jackassowski
I don't think I really need one, but I've researched Fitbits and the like in recent history. I'm already a big exercise / weightlifting / tennis player, so I don't need it for motivation, but I like the idea of tracking things for fun. The heart rate monitoring of the wrist models is, from what I've read, inaccurate for all of them. You have to get a chest strap for accurate heart rate, which is the most interesting aspect of them to me, and I don't care to wear a chest strap. So that's what's sort of keeping me away from them.
It's worth noting Fitbit is soon rolling out two new models, the Charge HR and the Surge, so it might be worth it to hold out for those. They sold a small amount of pre-release ones which people have been selling on E-bay and whatnot for way over price.
Edit:
This guy says the Surge heart rate is accurate, so that's cool. I might get one of these when they come out retail.
It's worth noting Fitbit is soon rolling out two new models, the Charge HR and the Surge, so it might be worth it to hold out for those. They sold a small amount of pre-release ones which people have been selling on E-bay and whatnot for way over price.
Edit:
This guy says the Surge heart rate is accurate, so that's cool. I might get one of these when they come out retail.
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BS555
Kick Henry Jackassowski
Speak of the devil:
Charge HR and Surge now shipping in 3 to 5 days from Fitbit.com and available for order. I just ordered a Surge. I'd say if you want one of these jump on it sooner rather than later as they might sell out.
https://www.fitbit.com/
Charge HR and Surge now shipping in 3 to 5 days from Fitbit.com and available for order. I just ordered a Surge. I'd say if you want one of these jump on it sooner rather than later as they might sell out.
https://www.fitbit.com/
Flamencology
You don't deserve koa.
I had one, and gave it away.
I got better use from using MyFitnessPal or something like that.
I got better use from using MyFitnessPal or something like that.
BS555
Kick Henry Jackassowski
Tracking food intake is way more important than tracking exercise, for those looking to lose weight. (Not that this is an issue for you, just saying in general.) Unfortunately none of these watches can do that yet!
I'd say Fitness Trackers are in many ways intended for people who are already in good shape and looking to improve aspects of their workouts, but tracking your heart rate and so on would be good for anyone.
nuke_diver
Riding Solo
We have a program at work called SonicBoom that gives us a discount on our HC premiums if we fulfill certain requirements. One is walking a certain amount a day so I've been wearing a pedometer for a couple of years now. But my motivation ends once I get enough steps. And I don't find knowing how much I walk/exercise changes anything that I wouldn't have done without it.
I also use a Strava app for biking to know how long/far/high my rides are. A buddy uses it for running as well so I think if you wanted to go cheap you could download the app and just run it will you walked. It would not give you steps but would give you distance.
I also use a Strava app for biking to know how long/far/high my rides are. A buddy uses it for running as well so I think if you wanted to go cheap you could download the app and just run it will you walked. It would not give you steps but would give you distance.
Denverdave
Resident Ragamuffin
I bought a Garmin but I only use it for runs, not for measuring the number of steps.
Flamencology
You don't deserve koa.
I found it useful when I was underweight during chemotherapy, too. Whatever. Weight loss, weight gain, weight maintenance.
As for heart-rate... I've got a watch and know how to take my pulse, and do so several times each day.
Modern Saint
Starve your Fear, Feed your Dream!
I used a Fitbit when I was in training and also part of the company sponsored program. It is great to have and with the iPhone app it will upload the daily data into the app so you can trend your progress.
Johnny N.
Kick Henry Jackassowski
My take on these things is that they are not necessary but if you are sedentary and it will make moving interesting for you, and you can afford it, by all means go for it. Even if it is only useful for a short time. If it gets you up off your ass (I mean this collectively, not directed at anyone specific) then it is totally worth it. I think most who get really into training of any type will eventually not be served well, especially by the simpler models but if it gets some one started it is a success.
That said, the only time I have used heart rate training was when I was cycling a lot and was trying to do some specific interval/tempo training - staying at a specific level for a specific amount of time. I eventually found that while not as scientific, I could use perceived exertion as a guide and not have to fuss with the monitor. Then again, some folks love uploading data to the computer, I'm just not one of those guys.
So bottom line, for $69 buy it and get moving. But do it with the intent of moving on to something more than counting steps. Eat well, move some weights, etc.
That said, the only time I have used heart rate training was when I was cycling a lot and was trying to do some specific interval/tempo training - staying at a specific level for a specific amount of time. I eventually found that while not as scientific, I could use perceived exertion as a guide and not have to fuss with the monitor. Then again, some folks love uploading data to the computer, I'm just not one of those guys.
So bottom line, for $69 buy it and get moving. But do it with the intent of moving on to something more than counting steps. Eat well, move some weights, etc.
BS555
Kick Henry Jackassowski
I received the Surge today here at work. Pretty cool. It updated its firmware from my phone's Fitbit app, and I played around with it a little, checked out the real time heart rate monitoring, etc. I've played tennis two nights in a row now, but tonight it'll be weighlifting + cardio, so I'll have a chance to really test it out. I've got it charging right now, as it was only about 20 percent out of the box. Strangely it listed 1000 calories burned today right out of the box and I can't seem to be able to reset it.
