Recommendation required: Fitness tracking sensor for iPhone

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Aaroona

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#139447 9-Feb-2014 19:44

I've decided I need to get my walking up - I'm a bit of a lazy sod that works behind a computer all day, so the most walking I usually get is to work and back from work (not a hell of a lot).

I find myself wanting to exercise, but without some way of tracking it to see what I am doing (i.e. see calories burnt, steps walked, etc.), I lose motivation very quickly.

Does anyone here know of a decent sensor that can mainly track steps, but preferably also heart rate, calories burnt, and (not required) but would be nice if its wrist based, to also tell the time.

I see some options from Nike, but I see they have quite a few issues with QC on some of their products, so wanna put a bit of a vote out...

nathan

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#982900 9-Feb-2014 19:59

Fitbit Force. But it won't do heartrate

or wait for the "iWatch" later this year ;)

Batman

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#982944 9-Feb-2014 20:39

the best sensor is drenching your clothes in sweat

- armpits only - need work
- shirt drenched - getting there
- pants elastic drenched - that's a workout
- shoes full of dripping sweat - now you're burning calories - look at the clock and do another 30 mins

i doubt if an app can tell you whether you are doing any workout. walking is not a workout. it's a start though

jeffnz

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#982960 9-Feb-2014 21:22

Map my walk not sure how it goes on walking but works well for cycling. Heart rate is a differant matter as you will need an ant + device with monitor so not sure it is worth the effort.

There are a few apps avaiilable so have a browse, Strada is another

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nitrotech

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#982961 9-Feb-2014 21:24

I've got a nike gps watch and it has the foot pod too - it's a couple of hundred dollars so it comes down to budget.

Really I prefer using the Runkeeper on the iphone - you can get it for android too so i keep a cheap android phone around for rainy days and pop it in a zip lock bag.

Technofreak

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#982967 9-Feb-2014 21:32

Check out SportsTracker. There's an app for iPhone. It doesn't count steps but does everything else. They have a a heart rate strap which you can buy which pairs with your phone. I use it for cycling and can highly recommend it.

I've used it for walking as well.

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jnimmo

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#982980 9-Feb-2014 21:33

What iPhone are you using? The 5S has a pedometer built in which is just logging data automatically (i.e. no extra battery) which is pretty cool.
I'm using that with the Fitbit app. Apologies if you already know about this functionality :)

cldlr76

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#983016 9-Feb-2014 21:58

I used Adidas MiCoach with a HRM for about a year until the HRM stopped working properly. I train between 8-12 hours a week with a mix of weight session in the gym and cardio (mainly running and cycling). I miss using it, as the integrated HRM and GPS tracking via the iphone app gave a really good picture of my sessions and could see what effect speed or hills had on my heart rate. It also had pretty good training plans built into it as well. I was using it on a 4s so I don't know if the HRM has improved for the 5.

I'm now using a combo of a basic Polar HRM that gives me Avg and Max heart rate and calories burned and the Runtastic apps for running and cycling. The apps give really good data, including max speed, average speed, metres climbed and decended and a nice coloured route map showing where you were fast or slow. I do find the apps suck the battery though, anything over an hour and half and the phone goes flat from 100% charge, without listening to music.

Also the apps by themselves aren't very accurate at calculating the calories. You'll get a much more accurate calorie burn figure with a HRM, e.g. on my ride this evening runtastic said I'd burned 958 calories and the HRM was only 635 calories.

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timmmay

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#983128 10-Feb-2014 07:51

My S4 has Samsung Health built in, which does the job. It checks the altimeter, so it knows when you're doing stairs or hills, which burns a lot more calories. One of the fitbit devices does that too.

Are you trying to get fit or lose weight? I've had a lot of success with the 5:2 diet, aka the fast diet. I've lost 1kg/week for the past six weeks, and I wasn't particularly large to start with - someone more overweight would lose weight even more quickly.

minimoke

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#983273 10-Feb-2014 12:49

I use Runkeeper on my S3 – I think there is an Iphone app.

It will track running/walking/cycling anything I guess that goes Point A to Point B. Tracks weight/time/distance/average speed/calories burnt and charts pace and elevation covered. Plus other stuff like maps the route with 1km way points. I’ve found it great to keep me motivated

Aaroona

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#987535 14-Feb-2014 21:29

Firstly thanks everyone for the replies.. Sorry to have Posted and run, but it's been a busy week :)

nathan: Fitbit Force. But it won't do heartrate

or wait for the "iWatch" later this year ;)

Is it just me, or is the Force not released yet? Typically will have to import from the states, but I guess thats not an issue as long as it's reliable.

joker97: the best sensor is drenching your clothes in sweat

- armpits only - need work
- shirt drenched - getting there
- pants elastic drenched - that's a workout
- shoes full of dripping sweat - now you're burning calories - look at the clock and do another 30 mins

i doubt if an app can tell you whether you are doing any workout. walking is not a workout. it's a start though

Telling me what I'm burning probably isn't the most important part, or at least it being 100% accurate. an idea of what I'm doing would be fine. I would say counting my steps would be at the top of the list, but in a geeky way.. not the "i have a pager on my hip!" type way. Unfortunately I don't get motivated the way you've suggested - believe me, I've tried.

nitrotech: I've got a nike gps watch and it has the foot pod too - it's a couple of hundred dollars so it comes down to budget.

Really I prefer using the Runkeeper on the iphone - you can get it for android too so i keep a cheap android phone around for rainy days and pop it in a zip lock bag.

I will look into run keeper... was hoping for a smaller and less reliant on my phone solution. Nike watch could be a contender... I'll look more into that one as well.. cheers

jnimmo: What iPhone are you using? The 5S has a pedometer built in which is just logging data automatically (i.e. no extra battery) which is pretty cool.
I'm using that with the Fitbit app. Apologies if you already know about this functionality :)

Unfortuantely I have the iPhone 5 - didn't know it tracked this kind of info in the 5s... when I showed my flatmate her phone was tracking it, she was a bit taken back! Thanks for the suggestion.

timmmay: My S4 has Samsung Health built in, which does the job. It checks the altimeter, so it knows when you're doing stairs or hills, which burns a lot more calories. One of the fitbit devices does that too.

Are you trying to get fit or lose weight? I've had a lot of success with the 5:2 diet, aka the fast diet. I've lost 1kg/week for the past six weeks, and I wasn't particularly large to start with - someone more overweight would lose weight even more quickly.

Ideally I would be happy with losing a couple of kg's. I'm not a big guy, but best to start now before I do get big, it's easier now than later.
Getting fit isn't my goal, but would be a "nice to be." again, not something I'm aiming for though. I did actually just read your thread on the diet.. sounds interesting and I'll definitely be reading up a little more on that. I'm very much guilty of not keeping track on what I'm putting in my body as much as I should be.

cldlr76: I used Adidas MiCoach with a HRM for about a year until the HRM stopped working properly. I train between 8-12 hours a week with a mix of weight session in the gym and cardio (mainly running and cycling). I miss using it, as the integrated HRM and GPS tracking via the iphone app gave a really good picture of my sessions and could see what effect speed or hills had on my heart rate. It also had pretty good training plans built into it as well. I was using it on a 4s so I don't know if the HRM has improved for the 5.

I'm now using a combo of a basic Polar HRM that gives me Avg and Max heart rate and calories burned and the Runtastic apps for running and cycling. The apps give really good data, including max speed, average speed, metres climbed and decended and a nice coloured route map showing where you were fast or slow. I do find the apps suck the battery though, anything over an hour and half and the phone goes flat from 100% charge, without listening to music.

Also the apps by themselves aren't very accurate at calculating the calories. You'll get a much more accurate calorie burn figure with a HRM, e.g. on my ride this evening runtastic said I'd burned 958 calories and the HRM was only 635 calories.

I'll take a look at th Adidas options. The MiCoach does look interesting... how often did you have to charge it?

Technofreak

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#988545 16-Feb-2014 21:50

Have you seen this?
[url]http://www.polarheart.co.nz/products/pofwb1410/title/Loop-Activity-Tracker[/url]

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