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Original poster

Do I need a Fitbit?

124 replies

newrecruit · 11/01/2015 19:42

Honestly. Do they actually help it just a bit of a gimmick.

I have about 3 stone to lose but haven't quite got round to starting yet. Hmm

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Looking for a gadget to track steps, calories, and all that jazz? This thread is a little old. Check out our round-up of Mumsnetters’ favourite fitness trackers for the low-down on Garmin, Fitfbit and some other -cheaper- alternatives. MNHQ.

OP posts:
CameliousHumph · 29/01/2015 08:08

Anyone have a zip? Opinions? I can't wear anything round my wrists at work.

winsomewitch · 30/01/2015 18:41

I've just got a zip and love it, I just pop it on the waistband of my trousers so no one can see it.

I've managed to lose 5lbs in just over 2 weeks Smile

EleanorAbernathy · 30/01/2015 23:29

I've now tried out the Surge at the gym - the HR monitor is within 10bpm of the ones on the machines that I normally use - very impressive!

It showed less calorie burn than the gym machines, about 150 less, but then I think the daily calorie burn is a bit overstated so probably balances out OK! I also set it to the weights setting when I was doing weights, and I never normally record the weights bit of my workout on MFP.

It's also quite motivating - I really wanted to get off the stepper at one point, but didn't because the Fitbit would KNOW I was slacking.... Grin

VivaLeBeaver · 30/01/2015 23:41

I put my fitbit round my bra strap at work as also can't have it round my wrist.

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/01/2015 07:21

I've found the heart rate to be within a couple of beats of the gym ones for mine, which is quite impressive. My calorie burns tend to be higher than the gym machines funnily enough - I suspect that I'm heavier than they calculated for and I'm also less fit so will be working harder to do the same activity. I don't think my gym machines adjust the calorie calculation for heart rate .

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 31/01/2015 08:44

That's interesting. I'm still swithering about getting the CHR as there have been lots of complaints on the forums about the HRM. Being totally inaccurate.

I also had a wee look at the Polar Loop which looks rather nice traitor

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/01/2015 09:45

I took my blood pressure this morning, and the pulse on that was only one beat different from my chr too. I wonder if people aren't wearing them high enough maybe

NakedFamilyFightClub · 05/02/2015 10:52

Can I revive this thread to ask how EleanorAbernathy and StatisticallyChallenged are getting on with their fitbits?

I've been looking at getting either the charge hr or the surge and can't decide between them. I'd love the gps but my phone does the job ok plus I'm not sure I can justify the extra money and larger wristband might be annoying.

StatisticallyChallenged · 05/02/2015 12:09

I'm still getting along well with my Charge HR, keeps me motivated! I was really annoyed yesterday as I got ill and couldn't do my steps and it really irritated the heck out of me. I'm strangely fascinated by my heart beat though - it went absolutely scatty yesterday, way higher than normal...apparently that's normal if you are fighting an infection or virus but I didn't know that!

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 05/02/2015 12:16

I'm jumping ship on Fitbit I think. The new HR feature doesn't seem to work that well for a lot of people, and its still missing a few features that I really want.

So current plan is to get a Garmin Vivofit 2 when it comes out (though I'll probably change my mind again before then...)

NakedFamilyFightClub · 05/02/2015 12:18

Thank for replying! That's really interesting, it's almost like an early warning system. Sorry to hear you're ill though Flowers

Ah, I'm so tempted to buy one right now, but I want plum or blue so I'm going to try to wait...

EleanorAbernathy · 05/02/2015 19:28

I'm still loving my Surge - I've managed to hit my step goal every day so far, it's not easy at work as I'm stuck at a desk and can only go as far as my headset cable stretches.
I was a couple of thousand off it the other night so I walked around the front room whilst watching the telly until I got there! I think today will be the first day I don't, as I am really hungover Blush but it should balance out as I've been over a few times!

My heart rate has been up all day today, must be my body working to clear out all the toxins!

I'm going to weigh in tomorrow so will see if the extra movement I'm doing has helped.

NakedFamilyFightClub · 06/02/2015 09:29

Thanks for replying! How do you find it on your wrist? Is it quite bulky or do you not notice it after a while?

Brew for the head Grin

StatisticallyChallenged · 06/02/2015 10:33

Mine's fine, I occasionally take it off for a wee while just to give my wrist a break but it's no more annoying than a watch really.

Month 1 weigh in today -13lbs weight, -14.5lbs of body fat Grin. I'll take that!

EleanorAbernathy · 06/02/2015 13:59

Well I made my step goal in the end - I set it to "hike" and went for a very cold walk around my normal running route! Cured my hangover anyway!

I actually find the Surge quite comfortable to wear despite it being the biggest one and I've never really worn a watch. The rubber strap is nice and soft and flexible. Its an improvement when running as I was using one of these previously, I wouldn't want to wear that thing all the time!!

I have lost a whole pound, a bit disappointing but better than nothing. :)

NakedFamilyFightClub · 06/02/2015 19:04

Good updates thanks! I think I may have to go toss a coin Grin

Wow statistically , that's amazing! Congratulations!

ElenaSummer · 22/01/2016 15:55

Does anyone have a clip on fitbit ?

I am looking at the Zip however I dont often have pockets and not sure how it would look under a dress or where it would clip on my bra that would be comfy....

alicemalice · 09/03/2017 12:18

I know this is an old thread but interested to hear how you're all getting on with your fitbit now.

I've been very disappointed in the quality. Is falling apart after a year.

Sent it back to amazon for a refund.

ASDismynormality · 09/03/2017 12:23

Alice, forgot are very good at replacing fitbits. Mine is just over a year old, I did a live chat with Fitbit and they are sending me a replacement despite no receipt. They replaced my DDs too, if you are in the U.K they will replace within 2 years of purchase.

alicemalice · 09/03/2017 12:36

Sounds like a few have failed then :-)

Just reading the forums about them.

Thanks for the tips. Amazon have said will give me a full refund so will see where that goes.

Bensyster · 09/03/2017 16:46

Mine fell apart too - they replaced it but I've got a bit bored with the whole step counting thing.

alicemalice · 09/03/2017 20:03

I quite like the step counting - but looking to get a different brand now.

nbee84 · 09/03/2017 22:05

I just found this thread and realised that I posted on it in January 2015. This is what I posted;

I've had mine since Saturday. It's already made me go for several walks that I wouldn't have done otherwise. I have one friend on there and that also helps me to be more active as I don't want her thinking I'm a lardarse grin I've linked it to mfp as I'm trying to lose the 9lb(!) that I put on over christmas.

Let's see how long the novelty lasts!

Well.... I'm now fitter at 47 then I've ever been. All from a simple step tracker around my wrist when over the years I've owned an exercise bike, stepper, situp bar and various other bits and bobs.

I got involved in the weekly and weekend challenges and it brought out the competitive side to me.I liked to be top or near the top for steps.
I then found a group challenge to walk 2015 miles in 2015. I started taking extra walks whenever I could and found I really enjoyed it. Once I started upping my miles to 4 miles or so in one walk I found I was getting a lot of upper back pain - I was quite round shouldered. So a bit of googling and I decided to try pilates to improve my core strength. The local leisure centre offered pay as you go classes as well as membership. After a few weeks I noticed an improvement and realised that if I did at least 2 classes a week I might as well pay to be a member. So now I could do all the classes I wanted so I tried out body conditioning and Zumba. This led to bodypump classes, circuit classes and spin classes - and I made sure I walked to the gym and home to get my steps in. I completed my 2015 miles by November Grin
My fitbit then fell apart! But I didn't bother getting it sorted and just stopped wearing it as I now had a love of exercise and felt I didn't need it any more. I still walk a fair bit but nowhere near as much as I did in 2015 but I do 6-8 exercise classes each week and have managed to keep the weight off after years of losing a bit of weight and slowly putting it back on not so slowly sometimes I've stayed the same weight but have toned up and dropped a dress size.

I owe it all to my fitbit!

Bensyster · 10/03/2017 08:07

Good point nbee while I don't step count any more I do still exercise (I exercised before I got my fitbit)...I walk a bit less now if I'm honest, it's too time consuming with few results. Instead I do pilates, zumba and circuits classes, run and do a session of weight lifting every week!

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