Fitness trackers - who uses one?

[whatmeworry]

We could probably debate whether fitness bands are really watches, but you wear them on your wrist and many of them have a clock so I'm going with yes.
Whilst I know that the uptake of true smart watches hasn't been high amongst IWL members, I wondered how many people use a fitness tracking device of some kind. Fitbits, Jawbone Ups, etc are all discreet enough to be worn as well as a watch.

I have a Sony Smartband Talk (review here: http://www.intlwatchleague.com/showt...Smartband-Talk) which I wear on the opposite wrist to my watch and I find the exercise and sleep tracking elements really useful. More recently I've also got a Fitbit Zip which stays clipped to my belt. I bought this so I could share stats, etc with Mrs wmw who recently got a Fitbit Charge HR. Interestingly she has stopped wearing a watch since she got it (she has a few, all bought by me in an attempt to encourage her to get into the hobby!). That made me wonder whether fitness trackers, rather than smartwatches, are the real threat to the watch industry. Take up is a lot higher and the use case is a lot more obvious for many.

[Seriously]

No, I can think of much better things to spend my money on.

..like Watches.


Not sure why you'd need to track your sleep ... I know when I'm asleep.
same goes for tracking activity , I know when I'm knackered after some exercise like a walk or a bike ride

[OTGabe]

I have a Fitbit Charge HR that I've been wearing for a few months, and I am enjoying it. I can wear it on my right hand so it doesn't interfere with my watches.

The heart rate tracking seems to be relatively accurate compared to a bulky chest strap. Battery life isn't bad, and can go at least 3 days without a charge needed. I usually wash it and put it on the charger when I shower, and it's fully charged up and ready within an hour.

The fitbit website has a lot of nice features and metrics if you are into statistics. I have not done it yet, but it integrates with the Strava app which I use while mountain biking, so I look forward to seeing the results. It's rugged enough so far, and it's already banged up and scratched. But no point in having it if you aren't going to wear it, so I keep it on all the time expect when in the water.

Overall it's a worthwhile purpose if you like stats and want a more in-depth view of your fitness activities.

[whatmeworry]

I have a Fitbit Charge HR that I've been wearing for a few months, and I am enjoying it. I can wear it on my right hand so it doesn't interfere with my watches.

The heart rate tracking seems to be relatively accurate compared to a bulky chest strap. Battery life isn't bad, and can go at least 3 days without a charge needed. I usually wash it and put it on the charger when I shower, and it's fully charged up and ready within an hour.

The fitbit website has a lot of nice features and metrics if you are into statistics. I have not done it yet, but it integrates with the Strava app which I use while mountain biking, so I look forward to seeing the results. It's rugged enough so far, and it's already banged up and scratched. But no point in having it if you aren't going to wear it, so I keep it on all the time expect when in the water.

Overall it's a worthwhile purpose if you like stats and want a more in-depth view of your fitness activities.

I've been impressed with the amount of detail in the Fitbit app and website, too. They clearly put a lot of effort into that side of things.

[thewalrus]

I don't use one daily - but for outdoorsy activities - hiking, cycling, swimming, running, kayaking, and so on I use my (recently picked up) Garmin Fenix 3. Fantastic watch. Replaces my Suunto, and then some. Records, save, and categorizes every form of metric you can imagine. The GPS is quick to receive a satellite signal and never drops it. Doesn't have an HR monitor - but that's not something I typically use in any case.

I'll also, frankly, confess that the 'smart watch' capabilities of the Fenix 3 have come in useful on a bike and during a run. A subtle buzz letting me know when my wife is calling or texting, or a friend is inviting me out for a quick pint after a ride. I've made good use of that feature a couple of times...