Fitness Evolved with #FitBitOne

One of the super cool things I love about sharing my fitness journey with YOU is sometimes I am blessed to review super cool fitness gadgets like the FItbit One.  I have reviewed many types of calorie counting, motivation and movement reminding pedometers in my years of being a fitness advocate.  Yet, the fitbit one is a bit different than anything that I have personally tried to date.

I have used a gruve, an Omron Go Smart Pedometer, and multiple super cheap pedometers at my local super store.  The FitBit one is similar to those in that it accurately records your step count.  It does NOT count steps when you ride in a car (like the cheap pedometers).  The FitBit has an accelerometer that accurately records steps and not just movement.

I love the accountability and added challenge of hitting my step count each day.  Although I am very anti pedometers… using ONLY pedometers to monitor your fitness each day… wearing my fitbit one each day has encouraged me to get off my butt and get moving to hit my step and calorie goal.

The FitBit One has many super cool features to this tiny gadget.  It is a small fitness device (just a bit larger than a quarter) and can fit in your pocket.  It has a lot of power for such a little device.  The fitbit one tracks steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, steps climbed, hours slept and the quality of sleep.  *whew* Lots of information can be tracked with this gadget!

The controls and display are shown by the simple push of a button.  Just press the button and you can see your current stats for the day.  You can use this to challenge yourself to move more, or to breathe a sigh of relief that you have successfully moved and met your daily goal.  You can even use it as a clock to tell the time! Super cool device!

The one thing I do want to share is that although it does track your activity level throughout the day … it does not accurately depict your calorie burn with those activities.  I use my Polar Heart Rate monitor when I am tackling a hard workout or run to monitor my calorie burn or intensity level.  However, to get a general idea of your basal metabolic calorie burn and daily activity level (low, moderate, active) this device is great!

How can the fitbit one help you get you get better sleep, you may ask.  Because the fitbit records movement, it can record any movement when you stir as you sleep… recording how well you sleep and how many times you wake up.  You simply wear the fitbit one on your wrist bracelet (that comes with your fitbit) and can comfortably wear it as you sleep. Doing so logs how long you sleep as well as how well you slept.

This was an eye opening moment for me when I started recording my sleep (or lack thereof).  I learned that I almost always wake at 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00.  Coincidently enough, 12:00 is when the nearby train zooms by our neighborhood blaring its horn.  Around 2AM is when my 3 year old son climbs into bed with us.  Around 4AM is when my husband wakes and gets ready for work.  *yawn*  No wonder I am tired all the time… mama isn’t getting enough sleep!

Some of the super cool and high tech features are that it instantly syncs your stats for you throughout your day.  You can sync to your computer, smart phone or tablet!  Wirelessly!  No more crazy loose wires that you lose to sync your data.  Walk within 20 feet of your computer and BAM! your information is synced!  Or if you are super high tech and have a newer smart phone (iphone 4S or newer) your stats automatically sync!

Another neat feature I like about the fitbit tracking device is that you can use their dashboard for free.  You can log your fitness activities and nutrition log right on to fitbit.com.  OR if you are a loyal loseit, sparkpeople or myfitnesspal advocate… you can sync your log in information from those sites… TO your fitbit account!  No more multitasking and plugging in the same information on multiple sights!  LOVE THIS!

Are you super curious and interested in all that is included in the fitbit kit?  Check out the image below for everything that is included.  You have everything you need to begin logging your steps, sleep, activity level and calorie burn the moment you receive your kit!  All you need to do is remember to charge it and wear it each day.

As with all fitness technology, just purchasing the item will not make you skinny, strong, fit, <insert fitness goal>.  You must work hard for your goal.  Using the fitbit one is an excellent resource and tool to help you reach your fitness goals and weight loss goals… by monitoring and encouraging you to stay active throughout your day.

What is one tip or tool that you use to help you monitor your fitness goals?

Disclosure: I received a fitbit one for sole purpose of review. No compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.