Fitness tracker recommendations

[yorkie]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a fitness tracker (such as a Fitbit tracker or a similar device) with the main requirement that it has to be easy to use.

It doesn't have to have a lot of functions; it only really needs to measure steps and display the time and that might suffice.

It does also need to be a good build quality / durable.

In terms of Fitbit devices, it sounds like the "Charge 4" might suffice; does anyone know if it's easy to use?

Any advice would be welcome

 

[Trackman]

Have you thought about a mobile phone app?
Think I used Runtracker or something before one my knees put an end to that, but the app was excellent.

 

[yorkie]

Well it's not for me though I am potentially interested myself; if I was to ever track my movements it would definitely have to be a small device because I would be using it while doing activities such as playing football.

But the person who wants one needs it to be as easy to use as possible, so I guess it depends on how easy the app is to use really. Can smart phones these days monitor steps etc in the same way that a dedicated fitness tracker could?

 

[Gloster]

Do you really need to be that exact? Work out by counting during a few trips how many steps you average a minute or over a certain distance. Then each time you walk/run the course make mental adjustments if you feel you were a bit slow/really pushing it this time. If you do a single or a few regular routes it is easier after the first few times when you are counting carefully. And if you do lose count a bit, always round down. When I was doing my exercises in the garden of the care home I aimed for thirty circuits and one for luck. It usually ended up nearer forty as it would be, “Have I just completed circuit twelve or is twelve the one I am just starting? Right, I am just starting twelve.”

 

[yorkie]

Do you really need to be that exact? Work out by counting during a few trips how many steps you average a minute or over a certain distance. Then each time you walk/run the course make mental adjustments if you feel you were a bit slow/really pushing it this time. If you do a single or a few regular routes it is easier after the first few times when you are counting carefully. And if you do lose count a bit, always round down. When I was doing my exercises in the garden of the care home I aimed for thirty circuits and one for luck. It usually ended up nearer forty as it would be, “Have I just completed circuit twelve or is twelve the one I am just starting? Right, I am just starting twelve.”

Well, I am pretty sure the person who wants one does want something that works it out for them.

You are right that for some activities it is possible to estimate it yourself, but it depends on the activity really (definitely wouldn't work for playing football!)

 

[Gloster]

Well, I am pretty sure the person who wants one does want something that works it out for them.

You are right that for some activities it is possible to estimate it yourself, but it depends on the activity really (definitely wouldn't work for playing football!)

But it is simple maths. Think of all those quadratic equations you make when calculating the trajectory of the ball and where it will land.

 

[Springs Branch]

My wife was given a Fitbit Alta HR about three years ago as a present (not by me).

She's in her 60s, normally a bit lot of a techno-phobe, but she finds her Fitbit very easy to use, loves it and uses multiple functions all the time e.g. as a watch, daily step count and sometimes heart rate, hours of quality sleep versus disrupted sleep etc.

I suspect the Alta HR is no-longer available, and don't know how the features of that particular model compare with Fitbit's current line-up. IIRC, it was neither the cheapest nor the most expensive in the range at time of purchase.

I was fully expecting it would have packed up by now (built-in obsolescence in the tech industry and all that), but it's still going strong. The only quality issue has been the wrist straps - the original one failed (silicone plastic split), I bought a generic replacement on eBay, that one split too just recently, so we're on the third wrist strap, with another spare standing by in the top drawer.

Mrs S.B. was at a bit of a loss for the few days waiting for the replacement wrist strap to arrive in the post - which kind of shows how much she uses it.

She also suspects the always-on bluetooth connection drains her iPhone battery, but her phone is getting long in the tooth, so that may be a phone rather than Fitbit issue.

 

[Essan]

Thoroughly recommend a Fitbit Inspire 2 as a basic, well built, reliable tracker - been using mine since the beginning of the year. Seems pretty accurate in terms of mileage walked*. And on "sleep mode" (which basically means it doesn't keep buzzing you to say you've been sat down for half an hour, and you need to touch the device to check the time, rather than it appearing automatically when you tilt your wrist) it lasts nearly 4 weeks between charges. Have an app on my phone and also on my windows 10 laptop.

*However, I don;t run or play sports - so don't know how accurate it is for that


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Dec 2021 ==

Have you thought about a mobile phone app?
Think I used Runtracker or something before one my knees put an end to that, but the app was excellent.

they are fine so long as you have your phone on you at all times - which I don't (especially when at home)

 

[Acey]

Simple cheap pedometer would probably do the job,plenty available from £5 upwards ,counts steps etc, I bought a Fitbit a few months and after faffing around trying to sync it to my laptop gave up and sent it back to Currys,bought a pedometer instead and am happy with it ,counts steps /miles etc cost £20 or so

 

[swt_passenger]

Well it's not for me though I am potentially interested myself; if I was to ever track my movements it would definitely have to be a small device because I would be using it while doing activities such as playing football.

But the person who wants one needs it to be as easy to use as possible, so I guess it depends on how easy the app is to use really. Can smart phones these days monitor steps etc in the same way that a dedicated fitness tracker could?

Can’t answer for Android based phone, but an iPhone monitors steps and has a go at flights of stairs, using its accelerometers. The Apple health app is included in the phone as delivered.

 

[birchesgreen]

Apple Watch, no doubt pricer than some options but thats what i use and thus can give a recommendation

I find it gives me all the data i need, plus plenty more thats nice though not that bothered about. Can record exercise routes and so on.

 

[cactustwirly]

I have a Huawei watch and it works really well.
It tracks your sleep and is very good for swimming.
Also does the usual steps and walking/cycling distance as well

 

[DelW]

Simple cheap pedometer would probably do the job,plenty available from £5 upwards ,counts steps etc, I bought a Fitbit a few months and after faffing around trying to sync it to my laptop gave up and sent it back to Currys,bought a pedometer instead and am happy with it ,counts steps /miles etc cost £20 or so

I'd agree with that. For tracking my exercise, I use an Omron pedometer, a slightly older version of the Omron Walking style IV, available from Argos for £30. No need for a phone app, 7 day memory, resets the step count at midnight, estimates calories and distance, and a standard lithium cell lasts for several years so no charging needed. Perfect for technophobes!

 

[SuspectUsual]

The apple health app seems reasonably accurate when it comes to measuring steps. I have a Garmin Forerunner watch and when I occasionally check them both pre and post walk they’re within a few steps. I suppose the downside to a phone app is if you want to count all steps you’d need to be carrying your phone constantly which is probably unlikely.

I’d recommend a Garnin if you went down the smartwatxh route though

 

[High Dyke]

Can’t answer for Android based phone, but an iPhone monitors steps and has a go at flights of stairs, using its accelerometers. The Apple health app is included in the phone as delivered.

Have that on my work phone. On my personal phone I use Steptracker (others are available). it depends on how much information the individual requires.

 

[muz379]

I dont know if price is also a consideration but if it is the Xiaomi smart band 6 might be one to look at , can be picked up for around £25 , if the latest one isnt even required the 5 can probably be snapped up even cheaper and there isnt a whole lot of difference a slightly brighter and higher resolution screen . Can customise the displays so it displays just steps and time , battery lasts around 7/8 days .

I had the smart band 2 back when it came out and it lasted a few years of daily use , had to replace the strap a few times but they can be picked up for a few quid from ebay/amazon. Assuming the build quality of the 6 is the same a few years for something a quarter of the price of the fitbit is a worthwhile contender imo .

 

[Wynd]

If one has an Iphone the Apple offerings would be my recommendation. Previous fitbit owner here.