Why Fitbit is more than just a step tracker

​Twenty-five million people use Fitbit trackers to count steps and manage their physical activity, but I think they can be used for much more than that. 

Consider these questions: 

• Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling like you didn't get a wink of sleep? 
• Can you say how your anxiety attacks are affecting your heart rate? 
• Do you end the day feeling like you've walked to Kalamazoo and back? 
• Wishing you had more support for your fitness goals?
• Do you know how much movement you need every day to feel your best, and how much exercise is too much? 

​Before I share my own answers and how Fitbit ties into them, let's cover the basics of what Fitbit is and how it works.
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What is Fitbit?

Fitbit is a tracker/watch, an app, and a fitness community rolled into one platform. Combining the Fitbit watch and app allows tracking of steps, activity, sleep, weight, and food intake. 
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The Trackers and Watches

Depending on which you buy (prices range from $100-$250) you can also track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, calories burned, and steps climbed. You can even track how many laps you swam in the pool, miles you biked, or paces you took on a treadmill. 

Before you invest, take into account which features are most important to you. 

• ​Do you want something basic or showy on your wrist? 
• Are you looking for just a fitness tracker or an all-in-one smartwatch?
• Does your new watch need to be waterproof?

Fitbit offers two categories of trackers: Basic fitness trackers and Smartwatches. No matter which you select, you still have access to the app it pairs with. 
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The App 

Downloading the Fitbit app is free, and the set-up is straightforward. Click HERE to get the Fitbit app from Google Play and HERE to download it from The App Store. 

Inside the app are four main sections: 

• Dashboard
• Community
• Challenges and Races 
• Guidance 

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Dashboard

​The Dashboard is the main page on the app and displays steps taken, floors climbed, miles walked, and calories burned. It records exercise, heart rate, and active steps per hour-all on one screen.

On the dashboard, you can get insight into how you're sleeping. Using Fitbit's intelligent heart rate monitor and blood oxygen sensors, it not only shows how long you slept but also which stages of sleep you were in (Light, REM, Deep) and how often you woke up during the night. 

Also on the dashboard, food and water consumption can be tracked, weight monitored, and women can record their cycles and get helpful tips. 
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The Community 

The Fitbit community is similar to Facebook in that it has a Newsfeed, Friends, and Groups sections. 

• Read posts from other Fitbit users
• Add friends from your phone or Facebook to find and offer support. 
• Join Groups (like Eat2Live2Love on Fitbit) that match your goals. Choose from large public groups or create a group just for you and your friends. 

Once connected to your friends on Fitbit, you can invite them to challenges and races. 
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Challenges and Races 

Races are virtual walks through real-life locations on a  map. Choose a solo adventure race or invite your friends and family to join you. 

Challenges are competitions for steps against other participants. Fitbit currently has four challenges: Workweek Hustle, Weekend Warrior, Daily Showdown, and Goal Day. 
Once you're in a race or challenge, you can message, cheer, and taunt other participants, or just chat.
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Guidance

This section of the app is dedicated to Fitbit's premium personal training tool, Fitbit Coach (formally Fitstar.) For an additional cost it offers personalized workouts based on your fitness level, then tailors a program around your abilities and goals. 
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I've written about Fit Coach in the past. To learn more about why I recommend it, click HERE. 

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Finally, let's revisit the five questions I started this article with. How do you think Fitbit ties in with the answers? 

• Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling like you didn't get a wink of sleep? 

Interpreting my sleep pattern has been a valuable tool. I've learned more about how I sleep best, what doesn't work, and how to get a better nights rest- all by wearing my watch. 

• Can you say how your anxiety attacks are affecting your heart rate? 

Sure, I can track my heart rate in real time when I'm jogging on my treadmill to help stave off runner's headache. More notably, I can see what my heart rate is when I'm having an anxiety attack or dealing with a bout of tachycardia. 

• Do you end the day feeling like you've walked to Kalamazoo and back? 

Have I actually walked to Kalamazoo and back today or do I only feel like I did? By checking my steps and activity, I know the difference between mental and physical exhaustion and customize my workouts based on facts, not feelings. 

• Wishing you had more support for your fitness goals?

Competing against my husband to see who gets more steps- the sales manager or the writer- keeps us both in better shape. Plus, it's fun. 

• Do you know how much movement you need every day to feel your best, and how much is too much? 

Because I live with Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, it's essential I move enough every day to avoid stiffness and fatigue. But too much exercise can be just as painful as not exercising at all. Tracking my steps helps me stay on target more often and overwork myself less often.

More Insights

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There are many other benefits to using a Fitbit than what I've covered here. Discover everything Fitbit by clicking HERE and compare watches and features by clicking HERE.
 
Most major retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kohls, and Best Buy sell Fitbit- check them out on your next trip! ​

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All images in this article are from www.Fitbit.com Visit the site to learn more about Fitbit products and how to get your own.