I want a fitbit!!!
July 6, 2013 1:31 PM Subscribe
Or do I?
I don't have or want a smartphone and "my" computer is at work. Is there something other than fitbit that is as easy to use but isn't quite so synched into the smartphone/app world?
I don't want to pay for features I won't use and I don't want to not be able to access functions because I don't have the one item it is assumed every user will have.
Fitbit users: how much of your user experience is dependent on the smartphone?
Is there another gizmo I might like as well or better?
Right now I'm overloaded with gadgets and would like to find a single item to streamline everything. I have a pedometer, an interval timer, and a Polar heart rate monitor. Should I just stick with this array and get over my gadget envy?
I do warm yoga (not bikram), I run, and when my health permits I do a fitness bootcamp that is primarily but not exclusively bodyweight-based rather than equipment based and focuses on HIIT. I also walk a lot. I'd like something that captures all of that.
I don't want to pay for features I won't use and I don't want to not be able to access functions because I don't have the one item it is assumed every user will have.
Fitbit users: how much of your user experience is dependent on the smartphone?
Is there another gizmo I might like as well or better?
Right now I'm overloaded with gadgets and would like to find a single item to streamline everything. I have a pedometer, an interval timer, and a Polar heart rate monitor. Should I just stick with this array and get over my gadget envy?
I do warm yoga (not bikram), I run, and when my health permits I do a fitness bootcamp that is primarily but not exclusively bodyweight-based rather than equipment based and focuses on HIIT. I also walk a lot. I'd like something that captures all of that.
If you have a computer with a free USB port, then you're set for the fitbit. It'll sync whenever you're within Bluetooth range of your computer, and the web interface to check your progress is much better than then iOS app anyway. I actually find the iOS integration a little kludgy. All the smartphone does really is allow to you sync wherever your phone is, but if you don't need up to the minute stats and graphs, it's not a huge deal.
posted by cgg at 1:40 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by cgg at 1:40 PM on July 6, 2013
Best answer: When I had a fitbit I actually never synced it to my phone. Just plugging it into the computer each day to upload data and charge worked great! The phone bit really isn't necessary... they hype it but you don't need it. You could get along just fine by plugging it on each day at work. I also agree with cgg that viewing your data on the website is far more useful and effective than the app, which I felt was clunky and unnecessary.
An alternative to consider is Nike's Fuelband. It's my favorite.
The downsides: it has that gimmicky Nike "cool" aspect, and it's more expensive. Since it's a wristband it only tells you how much your arms are swinging, really. It won't tally up activity for things like cycling, for example, and if you walk while holding something in your hands, sorry, no points. Because it's on your arms it doesn't count steps very well (fitbit is more accurate). It has to be charged every few days, where fitbit would usually be fine for me for a week. Finally, it uses Nike's "fuel" measurement which is admittedly a gimmick, and essentially just tells you generally how active you've been that day.
The upsides: it's also far more durable than the fitbit (one fitbit I had got lost because it fell out of its clip, and the other cracked and fell apart after only six months of use). As a motivator it's outstanding: it lights up and is very easy to check. For me it's far more motivating and fun than the fitbit was. It works as a watch, it's water resistant, it looks cool, and it holds up well (mine looks and works like new despite being beat up by lots of outdoor sports, hiking and running over the last year). If you ever decide to go the smartphone route, Nike's app is in my opinion the cleanest, easiest to use, and most fun.
As for other alternatives, I can't personally recommend Jawbone's wristband. It's anecdotal, but I know three people who bought them and gave up on them because they were glitchy, wouldn't charge right, and had all kinds of technical issues.
For what it's worth, Nike's next wristband is supposed to add heart rate monitoring, and I know there's a fairly new watch called Basis that's supposed to have some features you'd be interested in.
posted by Old Man McKay at 4:24 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
An alternative to consider is Nike's Fuelband. It's my favorite.
The downsides: it has that gimmicky Nike "cool" aspect, and it's more expensive. Since it's a wristband it only tells you how much your arms are swinging, really. It won't tally up activity for things like cycling, for example, and if you walk while holding something in your hands, sorry, no points. Because it's on your arms it doesn't count steps very well (fitbit is more accurate). It has to be charged every few days, where fitbit would usually be fine for me for a week. Finally, it uses Nike's "fuel" measurement which is admittedly a gimmick, and essentially just tells you generally how active you've been that day.
The upsides: it's also far more durable than the fitbit (one fitbit I had got lost because it fell out of its clip, and the other cracked and fell apart after only six months of use). As a motivator it's outstanding: it lights up and is very easy to check. For me it's far more motivating and fun than the fitbit was. It works as a watch, it's water resistant, it looks cool, and it holds up well (mine looks and works like new despite being beat up by lots of outdoor sports, hiking and running over the last year). If you ever decide to go the smartphone route, Nike's app is in my opinion the cleanest, easiest to use, and most fun.
As for other alternatives, I can't personally recommend Jawbone's wristband. It's anecdotal, but I know three people who bought them and gave up on them because they were glitchy, wouldn't charge right, and had all kinds of technical issues.
For what it's worth, Nike's next wristband is supposed to add heart rate monitoring, and I know there's a fairly new watch called Basis that's supposed to have some features you'd be interested in.
posted by Old Man McKay at 4:24 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I have a Fitbit and have never synced it to my phone, downloaded the app, or anything else. I have a receiver dongle plugged into my computer at work (as well as one at home) and it updates itself without my even noticing it. Whatever the smartphone-related features may be, they're not necessary for the Fitbit to be a useful tool. I'm only at 8k paces for the day. Better go dance in place while I do dishes…
posted by Lexica at 6:05 PM on July 7, 2013
posted by Lexica at 6:05 PM on July 7, 2013
Best answer: I don't have a smartphone and I sync my fitbit flex to my work computer. Works pretty flawlessly.
If you're looking to capture the calorie burn from yoga (not an expert on yoga myself) or bootcamp type workouts it won't be accurate in that case. It tracks motion and does not know anything about resistance.
I do DDP Yoga which is not quite traditional yoga, and my fitbit barely recognizes it whereas my heart rate monitor goes pretty crazy.
I find the fitbit to be very useful for tracking non-exercise calorie burn. If you think of it as a workout monitor, it's not the right tool for the job.
posted by robokevin at 5:44 AM on July 8, 2013
If you're looking to capture the calorie burn from yoga (not an expert on yoga myself) or bootcamp type workouts it won't be accurate in that case. It tracks motion and does not know anything about resistance.
I do DDP Yoga which is not quite traditional yoga, and my fitbit barely recognizes it whereas my heart rate monitor goes pretty crazy.
I find the fitbit to be very useful for tracking non-exercise calorie burn. If you think of it as a workout monitor, it's not the right tool for the job.
posted by robokevin at 5:44 AM on July 8, 2013
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posted by decathecting at 1:38 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]