Recently I bought myself a Fitbit Charge. I was looking into different step tracking devices. I do not like the cheap pedometers that hook onto your waist band. It is too easy for me to cheat with those. Here are the 3 I looked into and what I thought were the pros and cons and why it would/would not work for me.
Jawbone Up
I was first thinking of getting one of these when they came out. Super thin and kinda fashionable. I really didn't like the way it twisted around your arm. I was afraid to would hook on something. Also I didn't like it did not have a display, but to stay sleek and slim I understand why it is not there. They do have great choice of colors and it is seems easy to charge.
The Fitbit Flex
It has a thinner band and has multiple choices of band colors which is great to coordinate with outfits. I like the thinner band, but you can not see any read out on the front panel. You would have to log in to see how many steps you have taken. Also to charge it, you have to remove the tracker from the band. This didn't sound user friendly and something I would probably lose. I felt the thinner band did not outweigh the functionality of the device, so I chose not to buy it.
The Fitbit Charge
This was the one I purchased. I struggled because it is a wider band and I had to get a large! Your options are large or small. I felt the small size might be too snug on my wrist. I love the display which I can see day and time, steps taken, floors climbed, miles walked, and calories burned. I can log into the app or website and enter the water I have consumed, the meals I have eaten and the current weight I
hate am at that moment. Love Love Love the easiest way to charge it. You hook the cord to the back of the Fitbit and charge it to laptop, iPad or even cell phone (as long as it is compatible and my Galaxy 4 is!) It can also record your sleep habits (which I think the others do too) and tell me how many times I was restless and awake!
I can have an alarm attached to my Fitbit that will vibrate when the alarm goes off. No one hears it, but it does wake me up in the morning (I still snooze until my regular alarm goes off). Since it is hooked up to my phone through Bluetooth, it will vibrate when I have an incoming call and display who it is from by reading my address book!
For my money, the convince, and how user friendly it is, I went with the Fitbit Charge. All the stores and online were selling them at the same price so I just picked one up at my neighborhood Target.
I have found when I wear this I am more conscience of my exercise. I started out with 5000 steps a day because I didn't know what I do in the classroom. I have since upped it to 7000 steps a day. I do pretty good most days. Sometimes I have to take Gavin out for a walk around the block (my puppy's arthritis won't let him go far anymore). Sometimes I have to walk or dance around until I hit my magic number. I also have a colleague who has a Fitbit Charge and we encourage each other.
I recommend getting something to help motivate you get up and move. This is the number one reason I bought it. I needed that motivation. I love to accomplish my daily goal!
Do you have a Fitbit or other step/activity tracker? What is working for you?
