in

Love ItLove It

Tech Wiz on Fitness Trackers…

I have been a Fitbit user since somewhere around June 2010. During that past eight years, I have had three different Fitbits. One fell off in a parking lot, on my way into the office. I could not, to this day tell you how or where. The second jumped into the Chesapeake Bay. Not the Fitbit, I did. But I had it on when I jumped in. Not a wise move on my part as Fitbits are not waterproof. I’ve had one since then as well, but honestly, it doesn’t sync anymore, and I am probably going to take it off for good very soon. Most of my exercise is now tracked with my Apple Watch and my phone. I do like the Fitbit application, but overall it doesn’t meet my overall needs anymore.

Interesting how things change over time. I am going to try one more time to connect my Fitbit, if it doesn’t work I am going to remove it from my routine. I will lose steps, as there are times I am moving that my phone isn’t connected and my watch is off as well (like when I am charging either of them). That did get me thinking about the ever-growing population of people that are using excessive tracking equipment. When I used to be a runner, I know that I had courses mapped out. I drove my car around the course so that I would know exactly how far I had traveled on the run. That begat the interesting world of Sunnto watches, and Garmin watches for me. The Sunnto and Garmin watches would track your run distance.

I will add a few workout tracker questions to my poll today. The thing that I am most curious about is are people using them. As I consider retiring my Fitbit, that has been with me for more than eight years, what is next? I know today you can get add-ons for your shoes. They are trackers both of how many steps you take but also the force you create when you step. Apple Watches, Android (Samsung Gear, etc.) watches are waterproof to a degree. You wouldn’t use them as a scuba watch. But you can use them to be swimming in the water. Most of us aren’t pearl divers, going down 10 feet or more so the watch is safe. There is a value in knowing how many steps you take, but that value isn’t always clearly visible!

  • Question of

    Do you use an excersize tracker?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Which one do you use?

    • Apple Watch
    • Cell phone (apple or Android)
    • Fitbit
    • Garmin
    • other
  • Question of

    If you don’t today, what would you need in order to start?

    • Easy to use, automated
    • I don’t like charging things so no charging
    • offers other features (watch)
    • I don’t think I will ever use one
    • other

Report

What do you think?

Written by DocAndersen

One fan, One team and a long time dream Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13 Comments

  1. I have an app on my iPhone that counts my steps and monitors my heart rate, etc. But I need to do more. If I could stay away from my computer long enough I could walk more! Seriously when the weather gets tolerable out I am going to start waling again. And I plan to get an exercise bike for the days I can’t get out.

    1