Not at all - I just can't see the point of them - except as a statement as being up-to-date sort of person.

Not sure why you need to make this personal?

Do you really need a gadget to tell you to use the stairs? Can't you just use the stairs?

Sorry Tom, but I am starting to question your ability to rationalise here.

1) I'm sure you are bright enough to know that writing:"I suppose it makes some people happy to feel they are trendy." is a dig at and patronising belittlement of all the people who wear one. You surely can't be so slow as not to realise that. I hope, at least.

2) The glaringly obvious point is that no, I simply did not think of using the stairs or walking more as part of my daily routine, which is of course a result of ingrained habit. I had nothing to remind me on a daily basis that over-rode the unconscious, habitual behaviour that I had built up over a long time. This is pretty basic psychology and it affects all of us in some way, even if we realise it or not.

Between my Fitbit band, scales and blood pressure monitor I am doing my best to try and stay on top of my health on a long term basis by arming myself with the information I need to do so, and I am not sure there is any grounds to criticise that. There are still some other fundamental lifestyle changes I need to achieve before I can really look in the mirror and feel proud in that regard, but it's a start.

I hope the logic is clear enough for you.

Research shows that most people who wear one are fit and healthy anyway. I'm not sure they feel it's a dig like you do but you do appear to be a bit sensitive.
It'a a fitness sensor, not a hair piece or a bra for men with boobs.

I don't need a mini computer to tell me to use the stairs rather than the lift. Most Swiss people I know appear to be the same.
Just because you need to do something, please don't assume it's the majority.

That's good - self-improvement of health can only be a good thing.

Discussing methods and their shortcomings is a good thing too, in my book.

Lets just agree to disagree Tom, I made my perspective crystal clear and whether you understand it or not is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned

I understand your perspective but it doesn't stop others from questioning it.

Please don't feel that you need to answer every post that disagrees with your sometimes limited point of view.

I answered it for obvious reasons Tom (thread starter, use activity trackers). You appear to wield your logic like a cudgel, hoping if you swing it hard enough you'll eventually dent something. It doesn't really work.

Enough, guys.

Tom - sorry but I think you're missing the point. No, the tracker itself doesn't make a person healthier. It makes them more aware.

All the people I know who wear trackers don't do it to be trendy. They do it to monitor their activity and modify their behavior accordingly, with the goal to be healthier in the end. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Precisely.

I was merely linking to a study that appeared to rebuff the fitness tracker manufacturers' claims.

I'm quite aware that the tracker does not make someone healthier.
And, unless a person is quite unfit, I'm also aware that walking up a few flights of stairs is not going to make much difference to either their weight or overall fitness.

Unless they are being deceived by the manufacturers' erroneous claims.

Have you got one too?

I don't care what "the research" says.

After about 1.5 month of use, it has helped me track my sleep. I am now more conscientious about making up for loss sleep. And the same for weight maintenance using Aria. I've tracked 5kg of weight loss since the holiday splurges. General energy level has been increasing with no ups and downs swings.

No, it does not keep you healthy itself, you keep yourself healthy with the help of the tracking it does.

Exactly, its an informational tool designed to motivate and increase awareness. The fact that some people don't seem to understand this simple concept, or even appear to be against it, is a bit... odd.

I posted quickly just to slow you and Richdog down a bit, so I deliberately didn't put much into the reply.

I went back and read the article, and you have a point about manufacturer claims. There's also a fair point about a lot of people giving up after x months.

I think there are 3 camps of fitness tracker users:

1 - People who have to have the latest tech gadget and toss it when the next thing comes along.

2 - People who are looking for a quick fix to magically lose weight, then toss it when they don't.

3 - People who are trying to make healthy life choices, and use the tracker as one of many tools to try and do that. They often try more than one tracker to see what they like best.

I'm in group 3. Research has shown that even a little bit of walking every day can help keep us healthy. It sounds so easy to say "you know you should take the stairs so just do it" but the reality is a lot of us are lazy. IMO life is so convenient we've lost intrinsic motivation and need little devices to remind us to suck it up.

I know, it sounds silly. But somehow that little tracker, when I see how many steps I have (or not) and how many calories I've burned (or not), I make different choices. I forego the glass of wine or dessert. I might take the stairs even when my knees hurt. Or if I've had a good day activity-wise, maybe I'll have a little bit of ice cream. I know it's not 100% accurate but it gives me a sense of where I stand.

I do have a small group of friends that use the trackers to train for competitive sporting events, but most of my friends are like me. AFAIK none of us bought it based on magical manufacturer claims. But I am sure there are some folks who do.

I like the ability of the fitbit to cure insomnia. Five minutes into reading this thread and I'm already zedding away.

Not silly at all, and happy to see that it clearly does have a positive effect on you.

Trust your body. I get a HR of 54 within 30 minutes of stepping out of a very hot sauna. If I stop off on the way to the kitchen to get a pack of crisps 130. Fat mass between 14% and 35%. The lower range when I have a bath. For sure these devices have their uses but don't let one rule your life!

"Trust your body"... like people haven't been trying to do that, whether consciously or not, for the years before fitness bands were invented? Doesn't stop them falling into bad habits, getting lazy or fat.

I think we have already established multiple times in the thread that fitness bands are a tool and aid, and nothing more.

Stick to your bands then...

I have worn a fitbit for a few months now. I am not entirely sure if I think it is a useful device to have, especially the heartbeat tracking function as I am not entirely sure if I believe the information that it is telling me.

I do like the incoming phone call function, which is quite nice when you are on a run.

Sooo....it only took me 3 months to take my Fitbit Charge HR out of its package, but lo and behold, I am hooked!

It's awesome! I am a step-tracker fanatic now and it keeps me so motivated to stay healthy and active!

EDIT: what 3Wishes said

Not very accurate for calorie counting it seems.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40030457