Activity Trackers - are they worth it?

[orangesuitcase]

I've had three different trackers plus my phone and they all register differently. They should only be used as a guide. They aren't true readings.

I've sold all mine as couldn't be bothered with charging them up, remembering to put it on.

Yeah, I do think they shouldn't be used for accuracy but in terms of getting people up and moving, I think they are a great idea.

If someone who once walked on average of 2,000-3,000 steps per day is now walking 10,000 steps per day then that is fantastic, regardless of accuracy. Even if the accuracy is out by 10%, people are still moving a lot more than they once did.

And I think that is what prompted me to buy one. To encourage me to walk more and aiming for X amount of steps per day is undoubtedly a good thing, as ultimately I am walking alot more than I once did. I now take the stairs instead of the lift at work, walk to and from the station instead of getting a bus and walk to/from the station to work instead of getting a bus. The constant reminder on my arm and motivator is what drives me to do it, so inaccuracies don't really worry me at all.

 

[Pierce]

I think the activity trackers are better than a phone. Unfortunately I always seem to be allergic to the watches and get vampire bites under the metal pads.

So I use the omron that sits in my pocket. It does not have all the bells and whistles like fitbit but it still counts steps which is a good way to monitor activity.

Phone apps are a good start and if they introduce people into the idea of monitoring their phsical activities then that can only be a good thing.

 

[faye cheshire]

I'm debating getting a fitbit flex. I've been looking for a while. I did initially want a jawbone up24 but at over £120 it's just silly money. However the fitbit has good reviews and comes in at half the price. Currently in argos at £10 off too.

Does anyone have one and do you find it complements SW? I'm really sedentary and would hope that it would shame me into moving a bit more so I can lose this last half a stone or so to hit target.

I have had charge two for a few weeks now and love it. Was £120 from curry s. Eg. I hot up early and cooked for the week. So am so tired now but in about an hour I will look at the pitiful amount of steps and the calorie balance and be shamed into a big walk. It does lots of other things and j just don t know how i managed without it

 

[Luna2017]

I have a mi band which was only about £12, has its own app but also integrates with Google fit. It counts steps, sleep and resting heart rate. The band is very comfy, and I have ordered a flowery band for a change. I really like it although I suspect it overcounts steps!

 

[faye cheshire]

That's very useful. I like the idea of the flex simply because you can wear it straight instead of clipping it to things and like you say it syncs. Because I have an iphone there is an app that it will sync with automatically. I'm looking to get a little nudge to get moving some more. I find it too easy to just sit. Plus I work in a large school so would be good to see my activity in term time v holiday time.

I have read that you can set it to dominant or non dominant hand and this affects the sensitivity so hopefully too much arm waving wouldn't be too damaging

thanks cave girl!

Ive got charge 2. Only take it off to bathe and when i am washing opls hair. Wouls nt feel right without it now

 

[tipperary]

Hi all. I looked in to getting one of these too. When I go for a walk I know the distance roughly where I live as I have measured it with my car. But I wanted to know about other walking, like walking in town shopping, or through an airport, or chasing the hens. I originally had a teeny clip on pedometer but keep losing them. I have an app on my phone which I use when I go for a walk but forget to use at other times. I looked at all the bracelet ones, Jawbone, Fitbit etc but was concerned about the cost. Our local ALDI had one which I got and tried. It was comfortable but totally inaccurate, I drove 40km one day and it said I walked 1500 steps, I returned it. I told darling husband I wanted one, he is a techy guy and loves buying and using technology. So he looked them all up and got back to me and said none of them where 100% recommended. Now my phone had completely died and I will have to get a new one. I am not a fan of total dependence on technology, I want my phone just to be a phone. But I might have a look and see what apps are available for a windows or android phone.

 

[faye cheshire]

That's very useful. I like the idea of the flex simply because you can wear it straight instead of clipping it to things and like you say it syncs. Because I have an iphone there is an app that it will sync with automatically. I'm looking to get a little nudge to get moving some more. I find it too easy to just sit. Plus I work in a large school so would be good to see my activity in term time v holiday time.

I have read that you can set it to dominant or non dominant hand and this affects the sensitivity so hopefully too much arm waving wouldn't be too damaging

thanks cave girl!

Ive got charge 2. Only take it off to bathe and when i am washing opls hair. Wouls nt feel right witho

Hi all. I looked in to getting one of these too. When I go for a walk I know the distance roughly where I live as I have measured it with my car. But I wanted to know about other walking, like walking in town shopping, or through an airport, or chasing the hens. I originally had a teeny clip on pedometer but keep losing them. I have an app on my phone which I use when I go for a walk but forget to use at other times. I looked at all the bracelet ones, Jawbone, Fitbit etc but was concerned about the cost. Our local ALDI had one which I got and tried. It was comfortable but totally inaccurate, I drove 40km one day and it said I walked 1500 steps, I returned it. I told darling husband I wanted one, he is a techy guy and loves buying and using technology. So he looked them all up and got back to me and said none of them where 100% recommended. Now my phone had completely died and I will have to get a new one. I am not a fan of total dependence on technology, I want my phone just to be a phone. But I might have a look and see what apps are available for a windows or android phone.

I have checked my charge two and it is accurate with steps and distabce.i am into my total steps and cakories burned. I do use mfp to check calories eaten as i go on there every day anyway . I have notoced my rhrate is down but when i was ill it went up. Also like to check sleep and sleep quality so for me it works nut its not for everyone