Do you think FitBit is worth the investment?

[sethbaron]

Hey, so I haven't bought a FitBit yet and I'm considering making the investment.  I lead a fairly active lifestyle (running and gym at least 4/5 times a week) and currently track my steps through my iPhone's step counter.  While I generally have my phone on me all the time, there are some instances where it's just not possible - like, say if I take a class.  But I don't take classes that often.  Are there any other benefits to it?  What's your favorite thing about FitBit?

[A_Lurker]

@sethbaron- for me it was a great investment.  I've been obese since my teens and pretty much all attempts at dieting failed quickly (with the inevitable regain) or failed due to illness.  It's been a great tool for me to understand how many calories I actually burn most days (3500+) and why trying to diet on 1500 didn't work for me.  As I've figured out the diet portion of my loss (eating around 2500 calories) there are some other things I like to see.

On the dashboard I look at the 28-day trends to see where I'm headed.  Right now my steps have increased 22% over the previous 28-days.  My calories burned have increased by 9%.  This all while losing weight at a relatively consistent pace.  These long-term trends are what I look at to make sure that I'm keeping the same (or increased) activity level as I continue on.

Although I carry a phone too I'm not allowed to have it on the plant floor at work (although to be fair I have to hide my tracker as well - just easier to do).  I have a heart-rate version, which is water-proofed by a third party vendor.  This way I can wear it 24/7 without worrying about it.  I also like the sleep tracking and I try to hit the sack at a reasonable hour to try and get my time in there as well.

LOL - I realize that none of these things may matter to you, but I thought I'd share what it does for me.

[sethbaron]

Hi @A_Lurker,

Thanks for your input!  Always happy to have advice!  I didn't realize that the data features were so detailed, way more comprehensive than the iPhone's health data.  I guess it was really designed to be used in conjuction with wearables, anyway.  Which FitBit do you have?   And how do you stay motivated?  Is it your job that keeps you active (I assume you walk a lot at work)? 

Thanks again!

Seth

[AuroraKat]

@sethbaron - my Blaze was a great investment. A bit about me: some years back, I gained a lot of weight due to a health condition. Prior to this, I was very active - running, strength training, yoga, hiking, etc. Earlier this year, my health condition was resolved and I started working on weight loss along with regaining my prior fitness level. 

Fitbit has many ways to help with weight loss - food logging, estimated calories burned and caloric intake guide (based on a plan that you choose when you set up the app). These are fun features, but there are free apps that do the same. Although I do log my food via Fitbit for convenience, it's not why I got the tracker. I don't really need Fitbit's help in that area.

My biggest reason for purchasing the Blaze was to track my training progress. I lost pretty much all of my conditioning and strength during the time I had hypothyroidism (span of 6 years). So, it is important for me to monitor my heart rate trends during various activities, such as running, strength training, etc. Because Blaze tracks my heart rate throughout the day, I am able to see if my training is effective - how my resting heart rate is impacted, how long it takes my heart rate to peak during cardio, etc. I love data, so all of this is just a treasure trove of information! I am able to constantly tweak my fitness program based on the data I get back from the tracker. I am very happy with my progress!

Having said that, there are limitations. For example, Fitbit (as well as other wrist-based HR trackers) have difficulty with interval training. A good example is something like planks. I currently do reps of 60 second planks to failure. It takes Blaze a good 15-20 seconds to catch on that my heart rate has shot way up, so according to the collected data, my heart rate fluctuations are quite inaccurate during this activity. To remedy this, I purchased a heart rate chest strap and use it with another app to complement my Fitbit data. I really wish Fitbit would release their own chest strap so that I can stay within the Fitbit ecosystem.

Additionally, I like that my Blaze tracks my sleeping patterns. I sleep very restlessly and I am trying to analyze sleep data that I have collected so far to see how I can make improvements. This is just more data to play with.

Overall, I am happy I bought the Blaze. The wrist-based heart rate tracking is extremely convenient, even though not always accurate. And, even though I do use a chest strap for some activities, I would never be able to wear it all day - way too uncomfortable! So, I do appreciate the convenience of my Blaze for sure. 

[Dominique]

You have got great responses already. Among the things I like, I’d add "reminders to move" (currently available at least on Alta, Blaze and Charge 2, possibly on other models), challenges, the community (= help and discussion forums such as this one) and the Fitbit "eco-system" as a whole (for instance, I’ve got the Aria scale, which means I have a full history of my weight for the past 3.5 years).

[A_Lurker]

@sethbaron- I switch off between an older Charge HR and a Charge 2.  As mentioned, there's also the reminders to move on the Charge 2, which is nice.  It has changeable bands - maybe more of a fashion thing (although my default is a dark purple band, and I don't switch as much as I thought I would).  I had a Blaze for a while, but I gifted it/loaned it to someone I met online here.  I never wore a watch and it was just too big for me.  Also, I have to hide it when I'm on the floor at work and (TMI) the smaller trackers fit in my bra better.    My work can be active or sedentary, most days it is my choice.  There are a few days I can't get away from my desk and/or meetings, however, in my job function it's not unusual for me to be on the production floor.  In fact, I'm coming in early 2 days a week now specifically to spend the first hour walking around (touching base with the midnight shift).  Although I don't always hit a lot of steps as I will stop and talk to people.  I do make a point though usually once an hour to get up and try and walk.  If I'm super busy I'll wait until just before the hour and do my steps before and after the hour change.  With the Charge 2 I have the clock face that shows me time/date/steps/heart rate when I turn my hand up.  I don't always bother to turn on the exercise timer as it is pretty good at picking it up on its own.

I'm not sure what motivates me.  I'm finding most of the motivation from within.  However, adding friends to compete against has helped.  A number of weeks ago I posted looking for friends who did between 15,000 and 20,000 steps a day.  I'd hit a number of days at 15,000 and I was day over day ahead of the people I'd already linked with.  I've added some people, one of them who is averaging just over 20,000 a day and I've managed to pull myself closer to her - and have done just over 20,000 steps 4 days this week.  Now that's a combination of steps, elliptical and rowing - I rarely differentiate.  (Today I'm super low and will probably spend too much time making up steps just because I don't want to fall too far behind.  I shouldn't as I've been fighting a touch of flu, but my competitive nature might win out.)

I also keep an eye on my resting heart rate. Twice in the past I've been semi-succesful with weight loss but ending up over-exercising / under-eating myself into illness.  The first time by the time I sought medical attention my normal low-60s resting rate was up to the 90s.  Although I really wasn't checking it, but I'd like to think if I'd paid attention I might have done something earlier.  I still bounce around between high 50s and sometimes as high as mid-60s.  However, when sleeping I usually drop into the mid 50s.  So for me it's just a better indicator of health. Like this week for example, I have a touch of something that might be going around.  My resting heart rate though is seemingly unaffected so I'm not concerned.  In past attempts I might have used an illness as an excuse to stop dieting for a period of time.  I'm off my normal routine, and I've hit a point where I don't need to log everything to keep losing.  Mentally though I'm still aware that I've only eaten about 1700 calories today.  If I do nothing else for the rest of the day I'll leave it.  However, if I do decide to make up the steps I'll eat something else. 

It's a tool that I've become pretty good at using.  This year, since February I've managed to lose over 90lbs (and counting).  Although I credit myself with the hard work I definitely credit the data that my Fibits have given me to help make smart choices.  The people in the forums also provide plenty of support, and challenges to work towards. 

[WendyB]

I can not add any more than what has been said. I love my Fitbits. Would not be with one of them. They do motivate me to move more.

I do love the challenges on the Fitbit app. They can be a lot of fun if you have the right group of people

[USAF-Larry]

For me the Fitbit has been a very worthwhile investment.  Last winter it became apparent that I needed to have spine surgery, and the doctor advised me to take a couple months before surgery to build my cardiovascular system so it would be ready for the stress of a 6- to 8-hour surgery. I got the Charge HR, and started exercising - it was great for keeping me on track and allowed me to follow my heart rate improvement. Since then, I have the Charge 2 and it gives even more information and more incentive to keep exercising.

[sethbaron]

Great thanks everyone!  I appreciate the feedback!  I'll go ahead and make the investment 🙂 

[PerrineC]

I think you'll be happy with your investment. I'm pretty happy with mine.

I have the Charge 2 and the Jawbone Up 3. I prefer the Jawbone Up 3 for sleep tracking since it actually tracks light, deep and REM sleep. I really like the level of detail on the quality of my sleep and the passive heart rate info.

I think the FitBit Charge 2 is great for motivating me to eat better and move more often. It's also got a wider adoption and many other vendors have included synchronization with the FitBit in their apps and devices. 

Question to this group (sort of on topic) - Do you-all think the premium reports and features are worth the $49 per year? I found the FitStar app (iOS) and FitStar Yoga apps that I think I'd rather spend my money on.

Any advice?

Thank you

Perrine in California

[emili]

@sethbaron that's awesome Seth. Just do your research to get the one that's right for you. There are so many versions out there and most of them do similar things but there are some differences in size, options, etc. Think about what you want to track and then get the tracker that will do that for you.. good luck and let us know which one you end up with..

[Nannys5th1]

I like the fact that I can compete with my friends who have a Fitbit.... to look at where they are (step-wise) in how much they have walked, pushes me to get up and get busy.

[Scwhinn_Guy]

Yes.  To be blunt, I owned a different brand of step counter before I invested in a Fitbit Zip.  Now, before I had a cell phone app for support... I did not have the web based dashboard.  I have found that logging my foods, as well as logging my excercise & My calories has really been streamlined and made easier with the back up of the web based dashboard.  Also, COMPETITION!  This has been the first week that I have been averaging over 10,000 steps a day.  For me, a Desk Jockey that before averaged maybe 7-9G steps a day, the fact that I am actively trying to keep up with my friends that are still in the active duty service has made me become creative in how I schedule for a workout.  I am a competetor, so for me it really has helped & motivated me to push harder.

The investment on a Zip was $60 bucks, the wrist band that I got seperate was 8 bucks... overall, for about 68 bucks (double it because I got one for the girl that I am dating as she needs a display so she can see how she is doing without having to sync through the app & I compete with her/I needed a good Christmas gift for my Sqweeze) Was well worth it as I am now also using the weight program to try to cut a few pounds.  Before I had no idea how many calories I was consuming vs. expending; now I know what I am doing, what I am averaging, and where my zone is if I am going to plan on dropping a few lbs.  

Concise answer: YES! TOTALLY!

[USAF-Larry]

That is a great summary, @Scwhinn_Guy, and points out what most people do not realize - if people don't journal or record their activity and food consumption, they really don't know what is happening with their body. The Fitbit tracker does a wonderful job of giving us that much needed information.

[BLLingg]

I have the FitBit One.  There were only 2 that would work with my Windows XP and no Smart Phone.  (I now have a Tablet but only for Travel & the Challenges.)  The FitBit One tracked my Sleep.  The Zip didn't.

FitBit isn't just an Activity Tracker.  Without the WebSite, the Friends, the Challenges, etc, I'd still be a Desk Jockey / Recliner Potato, getting in fewer than 5K Steps / 3 Miles a Day.  With them, I've exceeded 13K Steps / 5 Miles every Day since 08 November!  I managed 22K Steps one Day during a Challenge!!!  I've also lost 30.8 Pounds.  The Latter was my initial motivator.  The Former has become the greater motivator because I've made a lot of New Friends who love those dern Challenges!!  And I just can't seem to pass up a Challenge!!

[Scwhinn_Guy]

Very True, Once you have that information & You can see the trends, you will be amazed how you are able to change practices for the better.  Knowledge is truly Power

[jbush]

The challenges is what really made me feel like it was a solid purchase. Keeping up with the steps per day is one thing. Daily and weekly challenges against your friends and others others is another game all to itself. I found that pushing me harder than anything. I found on some daily challenges against this one particular guy...I would run in the morning, walk during lunch, and then run again at night just to beat him. He is crazy competitive as well. We got to the point of playing "dirty". I'd have to "sandbag" my steps by not letting it sync to my phone during the day. Then I would go home and run til I couldn't hardly walk, and then let it sync late to drop a bomb of steps on him. Fun stuff!