Saturday, December 28, 2013

FitBit

First things first, I guess I need to introduce someone. Friends meet Paul, the new guy in my life. He's a runner and he lifts. Yeah, he's awesome!

Ready for a run
 
Anyway, Paul bought us awesome little gadgets, called FitBit Flex, for Christmas. We're still playing around with them and figuring out what they can do but so far it's been neat comparing our goals with our actual daily activity and calorie burn. We are connected through the app on our iPhone and we can cheer each other on or taunt each other (which may be even more motivating right?).
 
The Fitbit Flex is a wearable tracker that monitors your activity, diet, and sleep patterns. It's surprisingly simple, easy to use, and comfortable. The device includes a large and small wristband which hold the tracker, a wireless sync dongle for your laptop or other device, a charging cable, and the free app for iPhone or Android.
 
 
Fitbit wristband with Flex tracker
 
After three days of wear I've found that the wristband is as comfortable as the rest of my bracelets. It was a little hard to snap into place the first few times but it's either loosened up or I've gotten the hang of it. The Fitbit can be worn in the shower or rain so it doesn't have to be removed often. And with an estimated battery life of 5 days there's no reason to take it off most days.
 
The Flex can be synced to your smart phone via Bluetooth so you can check your stats and progress as often as you want without a cord. And tapping twice on the wristband gives a readout of your progress via five lights. Each light represents 20% of the goal you set (steps, distance, calories burned, etc) and when you reach 100% of goal the lights flash and the band vibrates. It's never been easier to check your progress in seconds.
 
60% of the way to my goal
 
Other features include sleep monitoring and nutrition/calorie tracking. Tap the device rapidly and it begins sleep mode. In the morning tap it rapidly again and it will send the information on how often you were restless through the night to your app. The Fitbit can even be set for silent alarms so it will vibrate at a predetermined time. It can also sync with other apps like Run Keeper and My Fitness Pal. Along with the ability to join groups and connect with other Fitbit wearers, the app will award you badges for new milestones to keep your motivation high. Fitness trends are displayed via graphs and charts and additional band colors are available on the Fitbit site to blend in with your fashion choices.
 
Overall, I would say this is a great device for motivating yourself and friends for a small price tag. It's addictive for checking progress and motivating yourself to get all five lights. And the app is easy to use and update. It's light, flat, and comfortable plus it doesn't stand out on your wrist. There's not much more that I could ask for in such a small tracker!
 
Oh, and yes, I do have the best boyfriend on earth!
 
 
Have you tried any of the trackers on the market? Do you use one? What are your thoughts on the usefulness of these devices?
 
 
 
 

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