Wearable Fitness Monitor: Fitbit vs. Jawbone - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Poe969 · 08-12-2015, 08:19 AM

My wife's birthday is coming up and she really wants one of these and I have no idea which one to get her. I know there are a lot to choose from and I honestly have no idea if one is better than the other after reading reviews. I've found people that both love and hate each of these and I think I'm more confused now.

I was wondering if you guys could help me out with this. I'm sure some of you out there have one or the other or maybe even something I don't know about. Could you guys please let me know and help me pick!

Thanks!

Raekwon · 08-12-2015, 08:26 AM

If I bought my wife something exercise related for her birthday it would be the last one I saw

I have used the Fitbit and I really liked it, it was just the flex and really only recorded steps and sleep patterns (my favorite feature) It syncs up nicely with PC or smart phone. There are the 3 higher models the The Charge (has time on it) and Charge HR which has a built in heart rate monitor and most of the reviews I read about that version is that it wasn't very accurate.

Here is the comparison chart but I found that just having that constant reminder on my wrist helped keep me thinking about fitness

https://www.fitbit.com/ca/compare

troutman · 08-12-2015, 08:42 AM

Personally, I prefer apps like MapMyRun and MapMyRide over Fitbit. Fitbit was fidgety and I'm not sure how accurate it is at measuring anything.

Spuds_Buckley · 08-12-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Personally, I prefer apps like MapMyRun and MapMyRide over Fitbit. Fitbit was fidgety and I'm not sure how accurate it is at measuring anything.

Agreed that the Fitbit may not accurately measure all the time, but as a previous poster mentioned it's more about the mental part of it: "I only had 4000 steps yesterday, man I need to get more exercise" or "I think I'll park at the far end of the lot to get my extra steps in".

I have had the flex for over a year, which I like because it's not too cumbersome. My girlfriend has one as well, so it's fun to have little competitions to see who can get more steps.

Good luck!

edslunch · 08-12-2015, 08:52 AM

I can only comment on Fitbit Flex but it has worked well for me. Just the bare minimum of counting steps keeps me aware of how much activity I'm getting.

If weight loss/control is a goal then linking it with calorie counting works really well. Set a weight loss goal and a base calorie goal then it adds to your daily calorie budget based on activity. You can track food consumption directly in the Fitbit app but it also integrates well with myfitnesspal which has a better food database. Honestly this is the best way I've found to lose weight on a slow steady basis without starving yourself. As another poster said though don't spring it on her unless she's brought it up!

Integrates well with iPhone, not sure about android

TSXCman · 08-12-2015, 08:57 AM

I went with the Garmin Vivofit 2 and am very pleased. It has very few features (steps, time, sleep), doesn't need to be recharged (replacable batt in a year), and is very low profile on my wrist.

The simple action of having it on just mentally makes me do more activity. I've lost 10lbs in a month since wearing it this summer and I have been partying more than normal.

Poe969 · 08-12-2015, 08:59 AM

Awesome guys, thanks so much! Ya, to be clear she said that she wants me to buy her one. I was thinking of something else all together but she wants one of these so it was her call to begin with. To be honest, I think she's in great shape and looks amazing but she's like most women and are never happy with their body...but we'll save that for a different thread!

The phone compatibility thing is tricky because she has an iPhone but she might switch. The Fitbit Charge is the new model and it's supposed to be a lot more accurate and have more options.

So far, from the overall felling I have it seems that Fitbit is the way to go with these things.

PsYcNeT · 08-12-2015, 09:26 AM

We bought all of our employees FitBit Flexes as a health initiative about 2 months ago, and I have to say they are pretty sweet. We have massive (like 20-30 people) weekly competitions using the app and have seen a lot more movement out of the staff.

Very non-cumbersome, and you can buy 10 cheap bands for 10 bucks on Amazon.ca if you want variety.

Inglewood Jack · 08-12-2015, 09:50 AM

how coincidental that I ran across this article yesterday (possibly NSFW text?)

http://throb.gizmodo.com/a-woman-wor...cla-1723429652

if you presented it this way would you get in trouble? like, the good kind of trouble?

RyZ · 08-12-2015, 09:59 AM

I have been wearing a Fitbit (Charge HR) every day since Jan 1st of this year and its been great. I'm not a serious runner or anything but it's a lot of fun just to keep track of everything for the mental side of things like others have mentioned. I'll go somewhere at night and think "damn, I only have 7000 steps today, better park at the back of the lot and walk in" or "I only have a few sets of stairs on record today, might as well take the stairs instead of the elevator".

When I'm at the gym it pushes me to stay on the treadmill for 1 more minute than I would have or I'll take less time between sets when I'm in the weight room to make sure my heart rate doesn't drop too far. Over all, I'm pretty happy I use it regularly.

heep223 · 08-12-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raekwon

There are the 3 higher models the The Charge (has time on it) and Charge HR which has a built in heart rate monitor and most of the reviews I read about that version is that it wasn't very accurate.

I have the Fitbit Charge HR and I mainly got it for the heart rate monitor functionality. I am a runner and sick of wearing a chest strap. I don't really use the other functions though it is interesting to see all the step and sleep data over long periods of time.

I've tested it a number of times side-by-side with the chest strap and I can say that it's very accurate. The only difference is that the Fitbit is delayed. So if you're doing intervals or something, the chest strap will respond immediately with your heart rate but the Fitbit delays about 10 seconds. So can be annoying. If you're running/biking/whatever at a steady pace, which is the majority of exercise, the chest strap and Fitbit are within one or two BPM of each other. Pretty impressive really.

Actually the most annoying thing is that it's not "on" all the time. So as you're running, you have to tap the screen or push the button to wake it up and check your HR. Other than that I've found it very effective and would recommend to OP.

PS - also interesting to check it while drinking. I can basically tell how drunk I am by how high my HR has risen. Drinking is not good for the heart, I've learned.

Displaced Flames fan · 08-12-2015, 10:58 AM

I have the Jawbone. My wife bought us each one on Prime Day for $29. Not bad. We have android phones and the ap (UP) works well. I like the sleep pattern monitoring and as others have said, it's a motivator to see that you're short on your steps for the day. You can also track weight loss and monitor caloric intake.

I do find that it is more accurate than Samsung's fitness ap or My Fitness Pal for counting steps....plus I don't want my cell phone in my pocket all day while I'm walking.

I haven't actually tried a fit bit but my impression is that the Jaw Bone may be a bit bulkier? Somebody else may be able to confirm.

DoubleF · 08-12-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I haven't actually tried a fit bit but my impression is that the Jaw Bone may be a bit bulkier? Somebody else may be able to confirm.

I have the Jawbone up24. Profile is probably 1/3 of a Fitbit and can stack with other bracelets and watches no problem. I haven't used a fit bit.

The up3 however I believe might have about half the profile as a Fitbit, but the fitbit is much thinner, but probably not by much. Up 2 are about the same profile IIRC. If anything the UP series sits like a bracelet. The Fitbit sit more like watches. (I looked it up, it looks like the Fitbit Flex sits similar to an up 2 or 3, but the Charge is definitely looking bulkier)

I cannot comment about the FitBit apps, but Jawbone can share information across apps like MyFitness app, Runkeeper etc. Which are very solid apps that can be used even without a Jawbone UP. If I am not mistaken, my fitness app is built into the up interface. Jawbone UP also has no indicators on the band itself so you can't just tap it and see if you're at 50% goal or whatever, you have to open the app to check.

Both should allow for you to wirelessly sync which helps to find a lost fitbit/up or at least guarantee it's not left at a gym, work etc. as the band will sync with a phone if it's nearby. (On the up24, it shows up as a pulse on google maps if you seek it. It also vibrates so if you have the same color band, you know you have the correct one)

My wife and I used to use the up 24 with iPhone and Android. No issues on either. There may have been a short cut or two that the iPhone had that Android didn't, but never any issues using android over iphone or missing features IIRC.

Both are water resistant not water proof. Shower, yes. Swimming, no.

JohnnyB · 08-12-2015, 09:04 PM

I was using a Fitbit force for about a year and a half. I found the steps and stair tracking motivating. I then got Fitbits for my parents and my mother in law, who now view each others' steps and can compete with each other even though we're on different continents and speak different languages, which is fun for them. I'll probably get a charge hr or a surge to upgrade soon.

I think that social aspect is really valuable for motivation, so it's worth taking into consideration whether or not your wife has friends who use Fitbit.

flamefan74 · 08-12-2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I have the Jawbone up24. Profile is probably 1/3 of a Fitbit and can stack with other bracelets and watches no problem. I haven't used a fit bit.

The up3 however I believe might have about half the profile as a Fitbit, but the fitbit is much thinner, but probably not by much. Up 2 are about the same profile IIRC. If anything the UP series sits like a bracelet. The Fitbit sit more like watches. (I looked it up, it looks like the Fitbit Flex sits similar to an up 2 or 3, but the Charge is definitely looking bulkier)

I cannot comment about the FitBit apps, but Jawbone can share information across apps like MyFitness app, Runkeeper etc. Which are very solid apps that can be used even without a Jawbone UP. If I am not mistaken, my fitness app is built into the up interface. Jawbone UP also has no indicators on the band itself so you can't just tap it and see if you're at 50% goal or whatever, you have to open the app to check.

Both should allow for you to wirelessly sync which helps to find a lost fitbit/up or at least guarantee it's not left at a gym, work etc. as the band will sync with a phone if it's nearby. (On the up24, it shows up as a pulse on google maps if you seek it. It also vibrates so if you have the same color band, you know you have the correct one)

My wife and I used to use the up 24 with iPhone and Android. No issues on either. There may have been a short cut or two that the iPhone had that Android didn't, but never any issues using android over iphone or missing features IIRC.

Both are water resistant not water proof. Shower, yes. Swimming, no.

I have the Jawbone as well and I can't really add any more than what you said. I do like the sleep mode. I realize it may not be completely accurate, but it gives me a better idea about my sleep patterns which has actually got me to change them.

Finger Cookin · 08-12-2015, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Personally, I prefer apps like MapMyRun and MapMyRide over Fitbit. Fitbit was fidgety and I'm not sure how accurate it is at measuring anything.

It's pretty easy to sync any of the trackers with these apps.

troutman · 08-12-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

It's pretty easy to sync any of the trackers with these apps.

I don't understand how that works. MapMyRun is GPS and shows me exactly how far I ran, and how long it took me. Fitbit seems to crudely measure steps taken, but can't measure distance?

edslunch · 08-12-2015, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't understand how that works. MapMyRun is GPS and shows me exactly how far I ran, and how long it took me. Fitbit seems to crudely measure steps taken, but can't measure distance?

You can track your runs with the fitbit app which uses the phone GPS. You can also use it to track your food intake, track your sleep, but I'd say it's not as good as purpose built apps for any of those. The sweet spot for FitBit is keeping you aware of your relative exercise.

Finger Cookin · 08-12-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't understand how that works. MapMyRun is GPS and shows me exactly how far I ran, and how long it took me. Fitbit seems to crudely measure steps taken, but can't measure distance?

You use the MapMy apps to track your specific workouts, food intake, and so on. The steps from your tracker, the sleep cycle from your tracker, and so on, just become more data for the MapMy apps or the MyFitnessPal app.

DoubleF · 08-13-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamefan74

I have the Jawbone as well and I can't really add any more than what you said. I do like the sleep mode. I realize it may not be completely accurate, but it gives me a better idea about my sleep patterns which has actually got me to change them.

I agree. I used to use sleep cycle for this which was great. Not perfect, but hilarious to see my sleep pattern look like a coma after a night out. Totally worth the buck I paid for it back then. However, this app is useless with memory foam and gets all wonky with someone else in the bed, so having a band on that isn't interfered by random movement of someone else in bed (Man, Woman, Pet etc) is awesome.