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Old 11-29-2017, 12:55 PM
 
Location: Round Rock, Texas
13,437 posts, read 15,369,782 times
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I just don't need them. My husband has gotten me assorted gadgets. In fact, a fitness tracker is sitting in a box on my nightstand, unopened from last christmas :/
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Old 11-29-2017, 01:08 PM
 
Location: NJ
31,771 posts, read 40,511,088 times
Reputation: 24590
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luckyd609 View Post
The Christmas season is upon us and Fitbits, Apple watches, Garmin, and other fitness gadgets will be flying off the shelves. My question is do you really get a better workout using these? Is there a marked difference in one's performance?
I know they are helpful if you are in active training for an event, running, triathlons, and such, but for the average person trying to lose weight and get fit are they really necessary?

I bought a Garmin fitness device last year and then took it back realizing it was just a novelty for me. I did not need it and I did not feel like spending my money on it.

I am just curious about these devices and if they really do help.

Thoughts?
it helps transfer money from some people to other people.
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Old 11-29-2017, 01:20 PM
 
Location: TN/NC
34,864 posts, read 30,954,560 times
Reputation: 47204
I bought a Fitbit Blaze over the summer when my first gen Apple Watch cracked. I barely knocked the Watch on a wooden locker, and it was on my wrist when it cracked.

Personally, I thought the Fitbit sucked. It would track HR and sleep relatively well, but it was uncomfortable and the real kicker was the pedometer. It was not even in the ballpark. I could be sitting at work desk and it would detect movement. It would show 9,000 steps by mid-day when I might not even have 2,500 in reality.

I looked up several things to make it less sensitive and it didn't help. The calorie/step count information was bogus.

I bought another Apple Watch a couple months ago. Its data is so much more reliable. Yes, it's more expensive, but I use it for fitness tracking and as a smartwatch.

Neither make me more or less likely to exercise, though if I do exercise, the information gained from the Apple Watch is nice to have.
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Old 11-29-2017, 01:57 PM
 
Location: Central Mass
4,561 posts, read 4,810,240 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luckyd609 View Post
My question is do you really get a better workout using these? Is there a marked difference in one's performance?
I know they are helpful if you are in active training for an event, running, triathlons, and such, but for the average person trying to lose weight and get fit are they really necessary?
These two questions are at odds with each other. The answer to the first is 100% yes. it's part of the progression of WR times over the years.

The second question negates the entire first question. The answer is no. If there is no performance goal, there is no requirement to use one. Will the help? Yes. And they necessary? No.
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Old 11-29-2017, 02:26 PM
 
Location: Wine Country
6,103 posts, read 8,771,505 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpio516 View Post
These two questions are at odds with each other. The answer to the first is 100% yes. it's part of the progression of WR times over the years.

The second question negates the entire first question. The answer is no. If there is no performance goal, there is no requirement to use one. Will the help? Yes. And they necessary? No.
Those questions are supposed to be taken different ways by different people. Two different camps, so to speak.

Some people think they are a waste of time - hence the first question.
The second question is for those that do find them useful. Sorry if I did not phrase the initial post that way.
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Old 11-29-2017, 06:03 PM
 
Location: Near San Francisco, CA
199 posts, read 182,824 times
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I wear a heart rate monitor for road cycling and it has helped me get much better workouts and improved performance. It is invaluable for gear selection and cadence, particularly on climbs.

I have worn the heart rate monitor a few times at the gym while lifting weights. My heart rate climbed higher than I had expected while doing squats and dumbbell bench presses. I don't think it would really help me obtain better weight lifting workouts, but it was interesting.
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Old 11-30-2017, 12:34 AM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
28,226 posts, read 36,731,749 times
Reputation: 28561
Quote:
Originally Posted by riaelise View Post
I just don't need them. My husband has gotten me assorted gadgets. In fact, a fitness tracker is sitting in a box on my nightstand, unopened from last christmas :/
I will admit, I think most of the trackers are really ugly and don't go with my outfit. I really like my Misfit Ray because it doesn't look like a tracker, it is super light and it isn't annoying to wear when I sleep (the number one use case for me).
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Old 11-30-2017, 08:03 AM
 
Location: MA
865 posts, read 1,479,740 times
Reputation: 1897
I use mine and since I've been using one I have been able to maintain weight loss for the last couple years. It gives you numerical accountability, instead of a qualitative "I think I exercised enough" philosophy.
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Old 11-30-2017, 11:49 AM
 
3,670 posts, read 7,140,769 times
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I like looking at the step counter on my iphone but besides that I really only need a stopwatch and a notebook. I'm sure everyone is different but I don't need any extra motivation to work out.

I do enjoy using youtube, facebook, and amazon video for instructional workouts. I don't usually go through a whole guided workout but the videos give me ideas to regularly incorporate into my routine.

Last edited by brocco; 11-30-2017 at 12:17 PM..
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Old 12-01-2017, 09:33 AM
 
Location: Middle of the valley
48,360 posts, read 34,494,212 times
Reputation: 73406
Quote:
Originally Posted by McBain II View Post
Is it required for you to have a car to travel across the state? No, but it sure as hell helps, doesn't it?

Still think that is nitpicking?

Yes.
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