Measuring and assessing Fitness

[foweyboy]

I'm really surprised and somewhat perplexed but so far I can not see any reference to anyone that is actually using their Fitbit to measure or assess their fitness. I am equally surprised that this doesn't even get a mention from the manufacturer. For me, it's very very odd.

As far as I can see these ‘fitness trackers’ are little more that gimmicks currently. They have the potential to be genuinely useful I think, but so far, they are mostly toys.

So you do some sport. You go running. You play squash. You ride your bike. You go to the gym. You use your Fitbit to record this activity. What gets recorded, how is it presented? Basic heart rate information with no way to analyse this to try to assess your fitness. No link between what you are doing, how hard you are exercising, and the heart rate needed to support that exercise. No comparison of these results from one session to the next to the next to see your change. To track an increase in fitness. Quicker recovery time. A lowering of your heart rate when doing an identical exercise regime.

To me, this is all required to actually be useful and assess an individual’s fitness in even the most rudimental way. Yet so far not a mention I can find?

Hopefully I’m wrong and someone will point out where all this is going on so I can start using my fitbit to actually assess fitness. If not, I guess I will have to start doing what Fitbit should have done right from the start.

[bdaniels04]

@foweyboy

I apologize, but I think you may have it a bit wrong. First, there are more advanced, and more expensive, devices out there that will do more of what you are looking for. The Fitbit activity tracker is designed for those who are looking to be more aware of their level of activity, or inactivity. I am a runner and have recenlty lost over 50 lbs. Part of that was due to being more aware of my activing, or lack thereof, part of it was an adjustment in diet, part of it was a change in attitude and lfiestyle. Secondly, these devices are still in their infancy for all intents and purposes. They are still evolving asusers put them to work in real life scenarios and report back their likes, dislikes, and wishes for enhanced interactivity, recording, etc. People need to catalog what their wishes and wants are, then research these devices prior to purchasing to find whch ones best match their needs. Sometimes that requires more than one device at this stage in the game, sometimes it doesn't. I might suggest that you might be better served posting in the development team forum with some suggestions on how they could enhance their data recording, reporting, and interactivity where your voice and concerns will have a more apt audience than on the general discussion board.

[foweyboy]

Hi @bdaniels04 and thanks for your reply

Basically I was wanting to make sure that I hadn't missed something that Fitbit or some plugin/associated app was already doing this stuff but I was not aware of - which you have pretty much confirmed for me.

Somewhat disappointing and I think the advertising overpromises and the product under-delivers currently.

Maybe I'll have to develop the app that takes the fitbit data and helps measure, assess and interpret it!

You mention that there are products out there actually do this kind of thing? Could you help me out by sharing these with me?

Cheers

Matt