Fitness tracker watches

[Broadside]

My wife is quite keen to get a fitness tracker watch and I would like to surprise her by buying it for her.

I don't know a lot about them so would be interested in opinions. From what I can tell the main options seem to be Garmin Vivosmart, Fitbit Charge HR and the Jawbone UP.

Does anyone have experience of them and which would you recommend?

We already have a Garmin Edge 800 so the watch doesn't need GPS as she will continue to use the Edge for that.

 

[vickster]

I'm not sure I would bother with one with HR as they appear wildly inaccurate

I've been contemplating the standard Fitbit charge, tesco online seems the cheapest around at the mo at £74

There has been discussion here if you search on Fitbit

 

[Broadside]

Thanks. I've searched a couple of times but couldn't find much useful info so thought I would start a new thread. The reviews I have seen say the HR data is pretty good.

 

[vickster]

Thanks. I've searched a couple of times but couldn't find much useful info so thought I would start a new thread. The reviews I have seen say the HR data is pretty good.

Not if you search wider online but it's your £££

Threads with a Fitbit theme

https://www.cyclechat.net/search/7639079/?q=Fitbit&o=relevance

Accuracy discussed here. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/fitness-devices-bad-news.194896/

 

[Broadside]

Thanks @vickster they were the threads I had seen. We have a heart rate strap for the Garmin Edge so it won't replace that during exercise, I just thought HR tracking would provide more info

I'm not really sure about these watches personally but they seem a good motivational tool for some people.

 

[vickster]

Thanks @vickster they were the threads I had seen. We have a heart rate strap for the Garmin Edge so it won't replace that during exercise, I just thought HR tracking would provide more info

I'm not really sure about these watches personally but they seem a good motivational tool for some people.

I guess if she wants one, that's what's important. Perhaps allow her to choose the one she likes most, design aesthetics are important

Does she only cycle? Can't see using a garmin 800 in the gym for example?

 

[Broadside]

That is a very good point and she is keen on the Jawbone for this reason but from the reviews I've read they seem to be a bit of style over substance....

A couple of friends have got the Fitbit Charge HR and seem quite happy with them.

 

[vickster]

That is a very good point and she is keen on the Jawbone for this reason but from the reviews I've read they seem to be a bit of style over substance....

A couple of friends have got the Fitbit Charge HR and seem quite happy with them.

I guess it depends if she wants a piece of more hi tech gadgetry or a wrist wearable pedometer

 

[Smithbat]

I have a Fitbit Charge and I really love it.

 

[Broadside]

I have a Fitbit Charge and I really love it.

What are the best and worst bits about it?

Did you look at any others before settling on the Fitbit Charge?

 

[Smithbat]

I used to have a Fitbit one but I wanted one I could wear on my wrist. The worse thing is remembering to charge it and that of you push a pram or trolley then it doesn't count the steps.
The best thing is the ease of it. It is just on your wrist all the time and you forget about it until you have done your goal and it vibrates.

 

[Broadside]

Thanks

 

[russ.will]

I have a Huwawei Android Wear watch (okay, not the cheapest of the breed) but the Google fit tracking does seem to correlate with the other apps I run during activities. By which I mean, cycling and walking the dog. It also has the bonus of actually looking like a nice watch.

Others at work have Tomtom this and Garmin that and I've yet to have a clear explanation of what their 90s Casio look-a-likey actually offers extra. That said, they're mostly runners, therefore clearly deluded.

Russell

 

[ufkacbln]

EAch one has its pros and cons.

As above they don't always measure accurately. For instance, a FitBit One gives me 2000 steps a day more than my Charge HR, equally both give far higher steps than my Apple Watch

If I cycle, the Wrist ones hardly record anything, but the FitBit One will record several thousand steps

The best way is to accept this and act upon what yours records, a 5% increase is a 5% increase


Then of course there is the "fashion element" as some come in black, black or black, whilst others come n colours or styles that vary

Finally you also need to decide whether it will replace a watch in shich case the FitBit Blaze may be an option.

The best site I have found is DC Rainmaker for some genuine in depth reviews and comparisons

 

[mustang1]

I used to have a Fitbit one but I wanted one I could wear on my wrist. The worse thing is remembering to charge it and that of you push a pram or trolley then it doesn't count the steps.
The best thing is the ease of it. It is just on your wrist all the time and you forget about it until you have done your goal and it vibrates.

Does the same thing apply if you're carrying a rucksack over one shoulder and also holding it's strap with the same hand you're wearing the fitbit on?