Coppell Personal Trainer Tip – In the market for a fitness tracker?
In the Market for a fitness tracker?
Fitness trackers have hit the market in a big way this past year which was good for those of us that want instant information about getting fitter and healthier. Get You In Shape has always advocated journaling as a means to successfully reach your fitness goals. However, using a fitness tracker takes journaling much it one further. It goes beyond your food journal by eliminating the guess work for you when estimating calories burned not just during a workout session, but all day.
Most fitness trackers are worn on the wrist but a few of them can be clipped on and worn in a place where it is convenient for you. They track various activities but at a minimum they count steps, distance, calories and sleep. Most of the products deliver the information real-time and sync with other applications such RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal.
To get more details about fitness trackers, take a look at the video I put together and then refer to the summary below of the ones I identified. Although I tried to provide you the detail that should help you narrow down your choice, the market for fitness trackers is changing very quickly and I strongly encourage you to use the links for each of their website to review the products carefully before making a purchase.
In addition, you may want to check out The Wire Cutter’s website that keeps a fairly good updated review of most of these bands.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-fitness-tracker-is-the-fitbit-one/
CORRECTION FROM VIDEO: There are only two fitness bands that I looked at that are waterproof. The Polar Loop and the Misfit Shine. I incorrectly referred to the wrong bands in the video.
Basis Band
Price: $199.00
What it tracks: Continuously capturing heart rate patterns, motion, calorie expenditure by activity…even perspiration and skin temperature.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: No
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros:
- • Large display
- Detailed Graphs
- • Switches modes automatically to indicate what you are doing AND has your heart rate displayed all day.
- • The B1 does feature an accelerometer, but the perspiration data measured can help quantify your activity level while performing more stationary types of exercise (stationary biking, weight lifting, etc.)
Cons:
- • Fairly large to be wearing all the time.
- B1 lacks data portability, a smart phone app, and Bluetooth syncing (the device must be synced to a computer).
Website: http://www.mybasis.com/basis-fitness-tracker-product-tour/
BodyMedia Fit Link
Price: $119.00
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes, some. (For example, it does not sync with RunKeeper)
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes, I believe but through a monthly subscription.
Pros: Just recently bought by Jawbone so this may be a good thing for the company — but expect changes to the device. They are currently offering 12 months free subscription.
Cons: Just bought by Jawbone, changes may be coming. Currently, it appears that you pay a monthly fee for them to collect the data for you to view. My guess is that this will be changing.
BowFlex Boost
Price: $50.00
What it tracks: Steps, distance and calories
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Not sure
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Only supports iPhone 4s and newer.
Website: http://www.bowflexboost.com/bowflex-boost-us/homepage.jsp
FitBit Flex
Price: $99.95
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Very fast syncing, good mid-range price.
Cons: The band can be a bit stiff at first. No written display, just lights to tell you progress.
Website: www.Fitbit.com
FitBit Force
Price: $129.95
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, stairs climbed and food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Nice display, fast syncing.
Cons: $30 buys you the display and tracking of stairs climbed. Stiff band at first.
Website: www.FitBit.com.
FitBit One
Price: $99.95
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, stairs climbed and food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Very fast syncing, good mid-range price. VERY high degree of accuracy in measuring activity. Nice display of data — easy to read.
Cons: Because it clips on your clothing, you have to remember to take it off after workouts. (This was a problem for me. It got washed… twice! I went through two before I went back to the Flex).
Website: www.FitBit.com.
FitBit Zip
Price: $59.95
What it tracks: Steps, distance, and calories burned.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Good entry device, fast syncing like the other models. No need to charge, just change battery every 4 to 6 months.
Cons: Bigger than the Flex One and less information tracked. Must purchase batteries every 4 to 6 months.
Website: www.FitBit.com.
Jawbone Up (24)
Price: $129.99 to $149.99
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, and food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Has some neat alerts such as, sitting too long, power nap alarm, etc. Sleek, nice looking.
Cons: Have to plug it in to your mobile device to get your data uploaded vs. automatic. There is no display of any kind. Unless you buy the more expensive Up24 (which I believe now supports auto syncing).
Website: https://jawbone.com/up
Larklife
Price: $150.00
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Eat Smarter tips and Single touch entry.
Cons: Pricy for what you get compared to similar models on the market. You wear one device for daytime and one for night.
Website: http://lark.com/products/larklife/features
Misfit Shine
Price: $119.95
What it tracks: Walking, running, cycling and swimming and related calories burned.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: No, but their API will be completed by end of year.
Pros: Very cool looking and can wear it multiple ways depending on what you are doing. Sleek design and very different from other bands. WATERPROOF so you can use for swimming.
Cons: Not an automatic sync. Must place device on mobile device to sync. New to market — maybe all the bugs are not worked out yet. No 3rd party apps yet. Must replace battery every 4 months or so.
Website: http://misfitwearables.com
Nike+ Fuelband
Price: $149.99
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, and food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Move reminders, sleek band with high tech looking display.
Cons: Not consistent with other bands for calories burned, it uses “Nike Fuel” calculations. More expensive for same information as some of the others.
Website: http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/fuelband-se/pid-924485/pgid-924484
Polar Loop
Price: $110.00
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, active minutes, and food.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Not that I could determine
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Syncs w/Polar heart rate monitor for better accuracy. It can tell you what you need to do to reach your goal through its “ZoneOptimizer”. WATERPROOF so it can be used for swimming. Good price point for a waterproof device with heart rate monitor compatibility.
Cons: iPhone only. Compatible with Polar H6 and H7 Bluetooth Smart heart rate sensors but you have to wear heart rate monitor all the time or decide to just wear it when training.
Website: https://jawbone.com/up
Withings Pulse
Price: $99.95
What it tracks: Steps, distance, calories, sleep and elevation.
Does it Sync with other Apps?: Yes.
Does it have its own mobile App?: Yes
Pros: Has a heart rate checker. It is a clip on vs. a band (good or bad). Nice display on device and holds data for 10 days.
Cons: Heart rate checking is only on demand not continuous.
Website: http://www.withings.com/en/pulse
