I’ve had my fit bit for a while now, so it’s time that I review it.
What is a FitBit (Flex)
Fitbit is a fitness device that tracks how many steps you take each day. It will also tell you the distance you cover each day. Not only that but it is smart enough to know how many calories you burn each day.
The Flex & The One models also track your sleep efficiency.
Fitbit is a fun fitness device that really helps you move more, and stay accountable to your goals.
Pros
- The flex comes with an adjustable band
- It’s lightweight
- Has a sightly alarm
- Easy to use
- Clean user-friendly website & mobile app
- Calorie burn is accurate
Cons
- (Flex) doesn’t tell the time
- Doesn’t tell you how many steps you have taken (only gives you a goal progression)
- Doesn’t calculate elevation (The One does, however)
- Only comes in black & slate (in Australia)
Overall Thoughts
The main reason why I purchased the Fitbit was because of its ability to track how you sleep. That alone had me sold on the product.
I was sleeping pretty ordinary, and I wanted to know why.
I was amazed at how poorly I was sleeping. Lots of tossing and turning. However a change in diet (Whole30), dramatically changed my sleeping habits, and I found that I had more solid sleeping chunks.
Overall I’m very happy with my Fitbit as my pros outweigh the cons.
I’m amazed at how little I move each day (in my current lifestyle). If I didn’t do regular exercise (running) then I wouldn’t make my daily goal of 8km | 5mi. The Fitbit really encourages you to move more and to be more active.
If you are looking to lose weight, and love gadgets then the Fitbit is for you. It’s reasonably priced at $120 (compared to other devices at $200 and upwards), and really easy to use.
For more information or to purchase the product go here.
Disclaimer: I was not asked to purchase or review this product. All thoughts and opinions (good or bad) are my own.
Footnotes
1 – From personal experience, I have found the calorie burn accurate. I have worn my heart rate monitor while running and the calorie burn that I’ve gotten from the Fitbit compared to the Garmin is pretty spot on, with accuracy being only approx 10-20cals out.
I have a Fitbit as well, love it! It’s really helpful if you have an iPhone, the app tells you everything. If I have it open, as I walk, I can watch my step count go up as I go.
In the U.S., you can only buy those two colors at the store, but if you go to the Fitbit website, you can order a 3 pack of other colors, for $30.
I so wanted to get orange 🙁 hopefully they’ll have the option to get them in the Australian store in the near future.
I don’t have an iPhone, so that function isn’t available, but I knew about it, very cool. I have very little fitbit friends, but that’s ok, eventually they’ll come… I hope.
I have a client who has one and she used it for two weeks and doesn’t know where it is LOL. Another client told me she wants to buy one for the whole family but found it very expensive. I told her to buy 15-25 dollar pedometers for a family and if they really use them, especially her hubby, to move up to the Fit Bit.
This is one of the reasons why I got the flex version cause it’s on my wrist and I’m less likely to loose it. I know a couple of mutual friends who have The One and have lost it. My kids got free pedometers for stepathon in September, raising money for the children’s hospital, and they love them, but they always forget to wear them.
But year I agree if they can keep a pedometer without loosing it, then upgrade.
I lost mine wearing it on day 2 – the company replaced it completely free! Awesome customer service 🙂
That is so funny Matilda! I did a review of the Fitbit Flex too. Love your blog and I love my fitbit.
Great minds thing alike. I got mine end of July so it’s about time I reviewed it.
Lots of interesting data collected! I would love to see a snapshot of my life like this. Very cool!
I was blown away with the stats that I got from it, especially the sleep stats. One thing for sure I sleep better on a Paleo diet than I do the normal standard diet.
Don’t know how I have never heard of this device! Pretty cool that it does all that and helps monitor your sleep! I may have to save up and look into buying one of these.
I honestly don’t know when or how I first heard of it, but I’m glad I came across it, they are pretty cool. A lot cheaper than a bodybugg/media where you have to pay for a subscription. The fitbit really takes the guess work out of how many calories you burn.
Very, very interesting. I want to buy them for my children now to monitor their sleep!!!
I’d be interested to see how my son sleeps, with his asthma and apnoea it would be very interesting indeed.
not sure I need much technology to know how my 6 month old sleeps 🙂
I LOVE my Fitbit – I’ve had one for years now and feel naked without it. I have the One, and got another One for my 14 year old. I got the Flex for my 17 year old. Both my parents and my brother have a One too. We are a Fitbit Family.
I did a post on my blog about all the features too
http://jenbsjourney.blogspot.com/2013/08/wondering-about-fitbit.html
… also not paid or asked to review, I’m just a Fitbit fan!
I will have to check it out.
I wish I had known about the fitbit at the start of my journey like 3 years ago, but they only have just been released this year in Australia. Sometimes we are so far behind the times.
How interesting, I’ve seen the fitbit around and have had quite a few clients who use it but none of them could give me a review like this! Now I feel like I have a better understanding of it when speaking with people. Thanks!
I love that it tracks your sleep. Cool gadget!
I’ve never used a tracker device like this but it seems really interesting. Thanks for sharing a really informative review! And the fact that it can track your sleep is just too cool!
This looks really interesting. It’s interesting that it uses lights instead of a screen and the iPhone app sounds interesting. Understanding your sleep would also be quite cool.
Might need to put it on my extensive santa list!
A bunch of my co-workers have a FitBit and are happy with it. Glad it is working for you.
Very interesting review of a product that I hadn’t heard of. One thing
that I find kind of cool about it is that it must look very unusual on
your wrist (because it has no screen).. might be a good conversation
starter 🙂 I tend to worry less about how many calories I am burning
because when I am in the middle of my training weeks (when I am able to do
everything on my schedule or in other words when not injured) I am burning
loads so for me getting in enough quality calories is actually the
challenge. But I think a device like this would force me to park farther
away to walk more which is always a good thing.
As far as the sleeping tracking goes it is pretty neat, but… I am not
sure how I would use it because I am not sure what I would do about it if
it said it wasn’t good. I know it seems like I sleep like a rock with
getting up at 4:00 and putting in serious training on a regular basis.
Thanks for the review!
Chris
http://www.mavrocatstrength.com
I’ve been considering getting one for awhile. I do a good job of tracking calories and exercise, but I don’t do a good job keeping up with the rest of my day – i.e getting steps in beyond my running/workouts, getting enough sleep, etc. Great info to know! Thanks for sharing!
FYI – Just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for Liebster Award. It’s a peer blog “recognition”, so to speak. 🙂 If you’d like to participate, check out http://www.coffeescarvesandrunningshoes.com/2013/09/why-you-should-connect-with-other-bloggers.html