Fit bit?
 

Does anybody have one of these? Which are the best models?

I have the FitBit Flex. I got it for its simplicity and value. They can be found for less than $100.

RS: it depends mostly on what you want it to do.

#1 - Most need a phone to connect, what kind of smart phone do you have?
#2 - What things do you want it to do?
- Heart Rate?
- Count Steps?
- Running?
- Bicycle?
#3 - Do you use a fitness tracking program/online site? Make sure it is compatible

Another gimmick. If you run, bike, swim,walk or row you already know how far you go. A simple chronometer in a $20 digital watch will tell you how fast. If you're past 50 a heart rate monitor is a good idea, but those are cheap now too.
-C

+1 on the heart rate monitor. I trained by monitoring my time at target heart rate. Didn't pay a lot of attention to distance, steps, etc.

I'm with Charles. If you're gaining weight, you know you're not burning enough calories. If you're losing weight, you know you're working out enough and eating the right amount. If you're at the end of your day saying "Do I need to walk another 500 yards to make my calorie balance for the day?" you're probably doing it wrong. Save $100 and spend another 10 minutes at the gym every day. If you're really taking credit for the stairs that you climb at work to reduce your gym workout, you're probably missing the point.

OTOH, if this is the "gimmick" that you need to persuade you to run a little farther, do another few minutes on the stair master, track your progress over a period of months, in terms of how far you're riding/running/swimming, and that extra bit of motivation is going to convince you to work out a little more, then it may be a net benefit.

Most of the people that I know who have bought them haven't lost weight. They're still out-of-shape people, they're just out-of-shape people who know how many steps they walked that day.

I started with a fitbit charge - but moved to the Surge because I like looking at a watch face.

I've only had it a few months - but I can tell you that it motivates me to get moving - I've lost a couple pounds - my sister and wife have them - and none of us like being at the bottom of the weekly activity (we are hooked together as "friends" with a recap weekly on line)

Actually it is for none of the above as it is for sleep. Would like to know how much sleep I actually get. I don't know if it shows quality of sleep but I snore a lot. But the exercise inputs would be useful. Thanks all.

I've got a surge. The novelty had worn off in a month. Great I walked 10k steps. I do like the watch face.
The sleep monitoring is interesting. It keeps track of when you start and wake up. Also number of times you are restless or awake during the night. So 8 hours in bed may only be asleep 6, or less. Of course it logs it all to compare your previous nights. It has 2 modes for normal or light sleeper. How accurate this all is might be questionable.

For sleep monitoring, I've had success with a couple of different iPhone apps (I'm sure android has them as well). You plug your phone in and leave it resting near you on your mattress, which works great, as long as you don't have a memory foam bed. It seems like the expensive ones were like $5, while most of them were free (with ads, in-app purchases, etc).

We do not need a lot of things, we get them anyways.

I have the Fitbit Charge HR and love it. But I am a fitness nerd, i go to gym 5-6 days a week.

I don't know which model my wife has, but do know it has an ability to monitor her sleep. She used it a few times while sleeping, confirmed her suspicions that she does indeed sleep like a rock, and went on to use it to track just her steps (always the "winner" amongst her circle of friends).

my charge hr monitors my sleep

I've had a few over the last few years and the fitbits are okay - but the quality is just that 'ok' but the company provides good service and have replaced almost all items I have had a problem with. That's fine and all but they keep having to replace them. I have a Charge now (non HR) and it is the second one and I think the battery is starting to go again.

Yes, the sleep monitoring is interesting - I confirmed how little sleep I was actually having

I'm interested in a fitbit also.
Will it sync to a cheap Samsung android?

If the android thing has bluetooth and can run the app then yes.

love my charge HR, as well. the challenges with my friends are actually fun...im surprised that I average about 45 flights of stairs a day walking up and down where I work. and the sleep info is good too. it was worth what I paid for it.

Have to agree with this. Just another piece of gimmicky, unnecessary "tech".

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I think the best way to get motivated and form a sense of community at the same time is to compete. My chosen sport is open water rowing. Winning races is what gets my a$$ off of the couch. Some of these medals are from nearly 15 years ago, and the most recent is this year. I've rowed under the Golden Gate Bridge, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Santa Cruz, and recently in the rivers around Portland. Nothing beats the feeling of everything - the boat, my body my concentration - all being in sync. That said, you don't have to race to feel it. There are community runs, walks, bike rides and events that will give you much more satisfaction and sense of accomplishment than a silly gadget on your wrist. You'll make friends, have great times at, and after the events at the BBQ, and you'll actually DESERVE that beer!

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