Worn around the wrist like a watch, the Fitbit is a fitness tracker that serves various functions, from counting your daily steps to monitoring the quality of your sleep.
The Fitbit syncs with your smart phone so that you can track your daily activity and progress.
Fitbit comes in several different models, each with its own distinct features.
Whatever model you choose, there are several good reasons to own a Fitbit.
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It’s Accurate
Fitbit keeps an impressively accurate count of your daily steps, so you can be sure that you are meeting your goals.
In a review of 22 different studies concerned with the validity of the Fitbit and another similar tracker, researchers for a December 2015 publication of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity found that the step-counting feature on the Fitbit was highly accurate.(1)
You can rest assured that you are getting a precise measure of your daily steps with the Fitbit.
Your Health Will Improve
Using a Fitbit to track your steps can help you to improve your health and fitness, as meeting daily step goals can promote weight loss and improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In a study in a 2006 publication of the American Journal of Health Promotion, overweight, previously sedentary adults were instructed to walk 10,000 steps per day, using a pedometer to track their progress.(2)
After 36 weeks, participants successfully increased their daily step counts, and they experienced reductions in body mass index, body fat percentage, waist size, and hip circumference.
In addition, their levels of healthy HDL cholesterol increased.
These effects were only seen in subjects who adhered to the prescribed 10,000 steps per day.
Increasing your step count even further has additional benefits.
In a 2000 study in Hypertension Research, subjects with high blood pressure lowered their systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10 points and 8 points, respectively, when they averaged 13.510 steps per day for 12 weeks.(3)
Social Features Increase Your Activity
Your Fitbit will allow you to link up with your friends so you can work together to achieve your fitness goals.
You can participate in challenges with those on your friend’s list, to see who can get the most steps during the work week or the weekend.
These friendly competitions can make it easier to stick to your routine, and involving your friends has added perks.
In fact, a 2014 study in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that participants who were more integrated with their friends were also more physically active.(4)
Fitbit challenges provide a fun and simple way for you to integrate with your friends as you compete with each other to stay in shape.
There is a Model for Every Budget
Between expensive gym memberships and fancy workout equipment, staying in shape can be costly.
Fortunately, the Fitbit is a one-time investment, and there are different models in a range of prices, so you can find the device that best fits your budget.
For just $60 (check price on amazon.com), you can purchase the Zip, which tracks daily steps, calorie burn, and distance.
Get all of these features, plus a sleep-tracking feature, with the moderately-priced Flex, which sells for $99.(check price on amazon.com)
If you’re willing to spend $250 (check price on amazon.com), you can purchase the top-of-the-line Surge, which tracks steps, distance, calorie burn, active minutes, and sleep quality.
This high-tech model also monitors your heart rate and has a GPS feature, so you can keep track of pace, elevation, and split times.
Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker
- tracks daily steps, calorie burn, and distance
- best price
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband
- tracks daily steps, calorie burn, and distance
- has a sleep-tracking feature
Fitbit Surge Fitness Superwatch
- tracks steps,distance, calorie burn,sleep quality
- has a GPS feature
Conclusion
Whether you spring for the Surge or choose to stick to a more economical model like the Zip, the Fitbit can play a key role in keeping you physically fit.
Not only is it accurate; it can also help you to meet daily step goals so you can lose weight and improve your overall health.
Take your fitness to the next level by challenging your Fitbit friends to outstep you throughout the week!
References
(1)https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-015-0314-1
(2)http://www.ajhpcontents.com/doi/abs/10.4278/0890-1171-21.2.85
(3)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11131268
(4)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3994425/
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