Recommend Your Fitness Tracker

[sadlebred]

I'm looking at getting a Jawbone, Fitbit, or something similar. Recommend yours and why....I'd prefer to keep it to under $150.

[runblondie26]

The Bodymedia Fit is supposed to be the most accurate of the bunch. I've been using it on and off for a few years and like it.

However, it's also the most conspicuous. People ask a lot of questions about it. And if they don't, it's probably because they think it's an electronic monitoring bracelet and are wondering what I'm on probation for, lol.

The one thing you may find problematic with any of the devices is they tend to underestimate the calorie burn for high intensity, non-impact activities like cycling.

[labbie]

I love my fitbit One, mainly because I can clip it on and that it's synced with MFP which I use for tracking. I can't speak to the accuracy vs. the others out there, but I have no complaints. Price was right as well.

[sassystace]

I also have the Fitbit One and have used it for about a year and half. I wear it clipped to the center of my bra and really like that it is discrete (vs the bracelet style). The software is good and Fitbit customer service is excellent. Price is under $100 includes software for life (no ongoing fees). A charge of the battery lasts more than a week.

[pixy0stix]

Can I go against the grain and say not to waste your money? I've had both the fitbit and the garmin vivofit. Each time I wear it long enough to get an idea of my activity patterns, and then it sits gathering dust. If you're reasonably active, there's no real reason to wear one.

[gt7301b]

MFP can now track your steps on your phone, I like not having to worry about another device and I have my phone on my 95% of the time.

[Deleted]

What type of phone do you have? The new Samsung Galaxy has S Health. You can track your steps, check your heart rate and do a bunch of other cool stuff on there. It's nice that it's not something extra you have to carry around.

[sadlebred]

I have an iphone, but I don't keep it one 100% of the time. I don't thing it would do much good. I am not worried about tracking calories and such but want to see how much I am sleeping, # of steps I am taking, etc.

[bullygirl979]

Aug 25, 2014 12:47:26 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I have an iphone, but I don't keep it one 100% of the time. I don't thing it would do much good. I am not worried about tracking calories and such but want to see how much I am sleeping, # of steps I am taking, etc.

I have the Jawbone UP24 and I love it. It tracks your sleep patterns and will show you how much you've deep sleep and light sleep you've gotten as well as how many times you woke up and for how long. It is pretty damn accurate. 

Also, I've heard from multiple sources that Jawbone is better at tracking actual steps vs FitBit. I know somone who returned their FitBit because it counted steps because he was washing the dishes. Lol.

I ordered mine from the Jawbone website and they had a 30 day money back guarantee. If you aren't sure you really want one, this may be the way to go so you aren't out any money. 

[pixy0stix]

Aug 25, 2014 13:02:12 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Aug 25, 2014 12:47:26 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I have an iphone, but I don't keep it one 100% of the time. I don't thing it would do much good. I am not worried about tracking calories and such but want to see how much I am sleeping, # of steps I am taking, etc.

I have the Jawbone UP24 and I love it. It tracks your sleep patterns and will show you how much you've deep sleep and light sleep you've gotten as well as how many times you woke up and for how long. It is pretty damn accurate. 

Also, I've heard from multiple sources that Jawbone is better at tracking actual steps vs FitBit. I know somone who returned their FitBit because it counted steps because he was washing the dishes. Lol.

I ordered mine from the Jawbone website and they had a 30 day money back guarantee. If you aren't sure you really want one, this may be the way to go so you aren't out any money. 

The flipside is that jawbone has more connectivity issues as it gets older. It doesn't last as long as the fitbit.

[sadlebred]

How long do the Fitbit and Jawbone last?

[hanihani]

I like my fitbit flex - the bracelet - a lot. But one of the things I like best about it is that I have a few friends on the fitbit app that I compete with to see who can get the most steps. That keeps it fun for us.

[jordylee]

Aug 25, 2014 13:02:12 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Aug 25, 2014 12:47:26 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I have an iphone, but I don't keep it one 100% of the time. I don't thing it would do much good. I am not worried about tracking calories and such but want to see how much I am sleeping, # of steps I am taking, etc.

I have the Jawbone UP24 and I love it. It tracks your sleep patterns and will show you how much you've deep sleep and light sleep you've gotten as well as how many times you woke up and for how long. It is pretty damn accurate. 

Also, I've heard from multiple sources that Jawbone is better at tracking actual steps vs FitBit. I know somone who returned their FitBit because it counted steps because he was washing the dishes. Lol.

I ordered mine from the Jawbone website and they had a 30 day money back guarantee. If you aren't sure you really want one, this may be the way to go so you aren't out any money. 

My DH had a fitbit for a few weeks and returned it to get a garmin vivofit. He consistently got a lot of "steps" on the fitbit from talking (he's half Italian and uses his hands when he talks - a LOT!). The garmin doesn't do that at all for him. 

[casarosada]

I have the garmin vivo fit and I really like it. I like I don't have to worry about charging it (you just need to replace the batter about once a year, like a watch) and that it has a screen on it so I can see the time, date, how many steps I've taken, how many until my goal, approx. distance and approx. heart rate. You can also get a heart rate monitor to use with it.

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2014 12:11:31 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Can I go against the grain and say not to waste your money? I've had both the fitbit and the garmin vivofit. Each time I wear it long enough to get an idea of my activity patterns, and then it sits gathering dust. If you're reasonably active, there's no real reason to wear one.

The fitbit has been really good for me. I'm pretty active working out 5-6 days a week, but it's helped to keep me even more motivated. I live in the city so I walk or take public transit mostly everywhere. There have been a lot of times I'd feel like being "lazy" and taking the bus or subway home, but instead I'd walk the 20 min. to get my steps in instead. 

Today was my rest day, so I didn't work out, but I still did my errands tonight by walking instead of taking the bus. I think every little bit helps to create good habits!

[Raggedeannie]

Aug 25, 2014 20:45:59 GMT -5 casarosada said:

I have the garmin vivo fit and I really like it. I like I don't have to worry about charging it (you just need to replace the batter about once a year, like a watch) and that it has a screen on it so I can see the time, date, how many steps I've taken, how many until my goal, approx. distance and approx. heart rate. You can also get a heart rate monitor to use with it.

I have also been happy with my Vivofit.  I love that it doubles as a watch and that I can use my HRM with it during non-running activities - yoga, pilates, biking, etc.

Similarly, my H has the Polar Loop, also because of HRM compatibility.  It seems to have been transformational for my couch potato H - he now goes on walks and hits the Treadmill to get to his daily goal

[bullygirl979]

Aug 25, 2014 15:17:10 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

How long do the Fitbit and Jawbone last?

My first jawbone died within a few months, but I think that was partially my fault because I got it wet. However, the company sent me a new one, no questions asked. Their customer service is really good. I haven't had any issues with the new one. 

[sassystace]

Aug 25, 2014 15:17:10 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

How long do the Fitbit and Jawbone last?

I have the Fitbit One.  My first one went through the wash and was still working (although the battery life decreased) when I lost it at about 10 months.  FitBit customer service sent me a new one for free when I lost it and that one is going on about 10 months not too.  I've gone through a few of the holders for it but customer service has sent me new ones.  If it is less than a year, Fitbit will send you replacements.

[candreco]

Aug 26, 2014 7:34:31 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Aug 25, 2014 15:17:10 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

How long do the Fitbit and Jawbone last?

My first jawbone died within a few months, but I think that was partially my fault because I got it wet. However, the company sent me a new one, no questions asked. Their customer service is really good. I haven't had any issues with the new one. 

My first UP24 died after about a week due to a battery issue and Jawbone replaced it for free, the second one is still good, but it's only been a couple of months.  Their customer service really was awesome.

I like it, it's pretty inconspicuous as far as trackers go, seems pretty accurate when I carry around DH's Galaxy phone to compare, and I love the sleep tracker function.  The app also will give you challenges and mini-goals, and fun little H&F tidbits and articles, and like the other trackers, it links to MFP.

[casarosada]

Aug 26, 2014 7:34:31 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Aug 25, 2014 15:17:10 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

How long do the Fitbit and Jawbone last?

My first jawbone died within a few months, but I think that was partially my fault because I got it wet. However, the company sent me a new one, no questions asked. Their customer service is really good. I haven't had any issues with the new one. 

Another thing i like about the vivofit - it is waterproof. I wear it swimming and in the shower with no issues.