Got a Fitbit Force fitness tracker for Christmas 2013 (although it was backordered and didn’t arrive til late January 2014) and I can truly say I’ve loved it. It’s helped me greatly increase my activity level!
I’ve worn it 24/7 for ten months now, and it’s been eye-opening to see how much — and how little — I’ve walked every day since then.
Because I monitor the device continuously, I definitely walk way more now than I did before! Recently got to where I average 10,000 steps a day for an entire week. Although I also attend a BODY PUMP class once a week that doesn’t result in many steps because you lift weights in a stationary position, Zumba® class usually racks up about 6,000 steps in an hour!
The Fitbit step count has been extremely reliable (my girlfriend and I once tested it by walking from one side of Super Walmart to another in unison, counting our steps and giggling like third graders — and the Fitbit number was right on the mark).
The battery only requires charging about every 10 days — and you get a helpful email reminding you to do it before it runs out. Charging is as easy as plugging a cord into the back of the Fitbit and the USB on your computer and leaving it there overnight.
You get weekly emails with a report on daily activities – number of steps, distance walked, stairs climbed, etc. – and a weekly average daily steps. You can also go online anytime to check stats — and walking within 10 feet or so of the computer syncs the device and updates the data.
You can “friend” other people who have a Fitbit and compete, challenge or chastise them. That’s been fun – and all my “friends” have been encouraging. (Of course, it’s always fun to say to yourself once in a while, “Ha ha. I walked more than she did!”)
All in all, it’s been great.
Like everything, though, there have been a few downsides.
First — the Force was recalled shortly after I got it because some owners got skin rashes. Luckily, I didn’t and continued to use it for 10 months. The company didn’t come out with a replacement for the model I have until then.
Second — the device falls apart eventually from normal wear. I don’t believe I misused it, but the band came apart several weeks ago, and I’ve had to resort to wrapping a rubber band around it to keep the fitness tracker together (which is not a really classy look). If the company had manufactured and sold replacement bands for this model, that wouldn’t have been a problem; I would’ve simply bought a new one.
Third — the plastic clasp to secure the device is a real weak link. Can’t tell you the number of times I’ve brushed my arm against something and the tracker flew completely off my wrist! Pushing a little rectangle of plastic into another rectangle of plastic just doesn’t cut it… (**Update: I discovered a great, inexpensive accessory to keep the Fitbit clasp from opening and hold the device on your wrist!)
Since the device was recalled and mine was going to fall apart and/or off my arm, I returned it to the company…reluctantly.
**Update: A new Fitbit — Charge — replaced the Force and I bought one of those and really like it. Have been using it since December 2014 — here’s a review.) The strap is textured and the device will do a few things I don’t need (like notify you of smart phone information) — but it works really well.
**Update: The Charge HR (which continuously measures heart rate) is out now and costs more, but I’m not willing to pay the additional amount — although it does have a band with a more reliable clasp that I’d really like to have!
I researched competing fitness trackers and read a lot of reviews, and concluded that the Fitbit trackers are the best on the market — and I’m going to stick with a good thing.
**Update: Have been wearing a Fitbit 24/7 for more than 22 months now – and am still hooked on it! (See Fitness Fun 22 Months Later.)
— Also see:
- How to Find a Lost Fitbit and Get a Free Fitbit Replacement
- 7 Things You May Not Know about Fitbit
- Fitbling: A Fun Fitbit Accessory
- Alexa’s Cool New Feature: Get Fitbit Stats on Amazon Echo
- Fitness Fun with FitBit
- Fitbit Fun 22 Months Later
- Don’t Lose Your Fitbit! A Fabulous Fitbit Accessory to Keep the Clasp from Opening
- Fitbit Charge Review (New Product to Replace Fitbit Force)
—To read posts about my other athletic activities, see:
- Polga (Yoga and Pole Dancing) Awesomeness
- Exotic Chair Dancing: Not Your Grandma’s Exercise Routine
- Dragon Boating: A Unique and Fun Team Sport
- Ping Pong: Not Ready for the Olympics
- How to Add a Low-Cost Reading Rack to Your Treadmill to Make Walking More Fun
- Sports and Hobbies: How Many Can You Squeeze into a Lifetime? 79 So Far…
- Zumba is Exhilarating
- Stand up Computer Desks: Take a Load Off your Seat
- Take a Load Off Your Seat #2: Adjustable Stand-up and DIY Cycling Desks
- Confessions of an Adult Learning to Swim
- Nothing Makes You Feel Better than a BODY PUMP Workout
- How to Add a Reading Rack to a Treadmill
- Fitness Fun with FitBit
- Don’t Lose Your Fitbit! A Fabulous Fitbit Accessory to Keep the Clasp from Opening
- Fitbit Charge Review (New Product to Replace Fitbit Force)
- Stand-up Paddleboarding: Testing the Water
- Do-it-Yourself Cooling Towels for Summer’s Hottest Days
- Regal Princess Review: Top 20 Amenities
I hope it’s affordable? I really want to get one.
David Ryan recently posted…thecalculatr.com
Sounds cool! I heard of this before but never really investigated it.
I love Zumba… I’m not surprised by the number of steps in one class.
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…What’s Your Story?
Pingback: Fitness Fun with FitbitThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Highs and Lows of November - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Fitbit Charge ReviewThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Some of My Favorite Products and ServicesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: An Embarrassing Childhood StoryThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Fabulous Fitbit Accessory to Keep the Clasp from OpeningThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Take a Load Off Your Seat #2: Stand up Computer DesksThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Stand Up Paddleboarding: Testing the Water - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: How to Add a Reading Rack to a TreadmillThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: April Firsts - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Nothing Makes You Feel Better than a BODY PUMP WorkoutThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Do-It-Yourself Cooling Towels for Summer's Hottest DaysThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Confessions of an Adult Learning to SwimThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Aerial Yoga: A Fun and Uplifting ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Walking Clubs: Exercise, Enjoy the Outdoors, Meet New PeopleThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Ping Pong: Not Ready for the OlympicsThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Dragon Boating: A Unique and Fun Team SportThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Unique Yoga ClassesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Fitbit Fun: 22 Months LaterThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Zumba is Exhilarating! — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Fitbling: A Fun Fitbit Accessory — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: 7 Things You May Not Know about Fitbit — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Weight Watchers Now: Wow! — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Polga (Yoga and Pole Dancing) AwesomenessThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: How to Find a Lost Fitbit and Get a Free Fitbit Replacement — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Mixed Results of 2016 Life GoalsThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: 2017 Life GoalsThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Women's Kayaking and Hiking Weekend: Wonderful Except for the Near-Death ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Fitbit Charge 2 ReviewThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Aerial Adventure Park: A Unique, Exciting Fitness ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Flotation Tank Experience: A One-Hour Relaxing Float in a Tub of Buoyant Water — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: I Am the Woman I Am Today Because My Mother... — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: 20 Things I Learned in the First Month of Caring for Elderly ParentsThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Do a Body Composition Test, See How Much Fat and Muscle You Have — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales
Pingback: Rage Room: Relieve Stress, Stop Being a Good Girl — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales