January 13, 2014

Fitbit Force Review

Posted By Crabby McSlacker


April 2014 UPDATE:  The Fitbit Force was recalled due to rash issues, so I received a Fitbit One instead. See the more recent Fitbit Comparison post for more info!

The timing of this Fitbit Force review opportunity couldn't have been better! It's as though the PR person just knew I totally pork out over the holidays and begin each new year with a predictable freak-fest of obsessive calorie and exercise tracking. This year was no exception.

And yes, I did consume this entire box myself--
Including the fruit-centered ones I don't even like.

Plus, many of my friends have been parading around with Fitbits and Nike Fuelband etc, and I was getting jealous. I haven't had a daily activity monitor since I fell in and out of love with the Body Media Fit armband.

And the usual disclaimer: I got my Force for free--which could lead a nicer blogger to be be overly friendly and positive in hopes of more loot in the future.  As it happens, I am constitutionally incapable of being nice and friendly and overlooking downsides. The whole reason this blog exists at all is that I love to complain! But you are forewarned anyway.

So, What's it Like when the Force is With You?

I'll answer a few questions in the hopes that even if this review bores regular readers to tears,  I can get some future google traffic I can help people shopping for activity monitors know exactly what they're getting into.


What Does the FitBit Force Look Like?


Here's the package:


And here's how it looks like on a middle-aged sun-damaged wrist:





(And, since I was taking pictures of my wrists, why not? I also recently got a Tokyo Boy watch totally on sale that I'm quite fond of.)



What Does the Fitbit Force Measure?


  • Steps taken;
  • Distance traveled;
  • Calories burned;
  • Stairs climbed;
  • Active minutes throughout the day; and
  • Sleep.


What Features Does the Fitbit Force Have?




The Force wristband has a watch, stopwatch, and a vibrating alarm. The display uses a single button that steps through time, steps, distance, stairs, calories burned, and total activity.

The Force uses an accelerometer and altimeter and incorporates data you log about your height and weight, so it's more personalized and presumably more accurate than a simple pedometer.

The website says the wristband is soon going to have call notification, but I don't really give a crap. I have a device already that let's me know when I have a call: it's called a phone.

The wristwatch syncs wirelessly with PC, Mac, and most mobile phones. To use it wirelessly on your computer you use a usb port.  You just grab your dongle and insert it firmly and you're good! Which--sorry boys--is a completely G-rated procedure.

The app allows you to view your stats, set an alarm, see reports on activity and sleep, and is compatible with many well-known online calorie and fitness trackers.

The wristband needs periodic charging, which is a pain, but on the plus side, weekly is sufficient and it could probably go the promised 10 days but I haven't tested that.  I think you even get an email if you haven't charged recently and your unit is dying.

Does the Fitbit Force have GPS or a Heart Rate Monitor?

No.  Nor does it measure galvanic skin response, skin temperature, or heat flux like the BodyMedia fit. And to measure sleep it just goes by movement; it can't track brainwaves like the Zeo.

Is the Fitbit Force Waterproof and Can You Wear the Force in the Shower or Swimming Pool?


No. It's water resistant so you can sweat in and get caught in the rain, but you are supposed to take it off to shower or swim.

Is the Fitbit Force Accurate?


The answer to that question is... a weasely, equivocal: It depends!

Let's just say right off the bat that it is not 100% accurate, but depending on what you want to measure, it can fit squarely in the "not bad at all" category.  Common sense says that something sitting on your wrist measuring your arm movements is not going to be the way to go when biking, strength training etc.  You have to log those separately.

It's best for straightforward walking, and at least one super fit person,  Kim at Day with KT has reported in her Fitbit Force Review that it's pretty much total crap at capturing her intense workouts or her sleep.  (Though as I recall, she put it more elegantly than that).

In repeated attempts to compare Fitbit Force data with independent measures of steps and distance... I pretty much totally forgot I was supposed to be measuring anything by the time I finished.

Seriously, I must have run a couple of dozen experiments where I all have is a "note to self" email or a scribble on a notepad telling me when and where I started.. then nothing.




When I finally started and completed a couple of very short experiments, I discovered that the Force over-estimated a .25 treadmill test as .3, but I believe that test was too short to extrapolate from.  I did it at the end of my workout and I was bored and hungry and figured I'd do another treadmill test later but didn't.

A 1 mile outdoor walk as measured by google maps came out at  .93 miles on the Force. It was a slightly downhill walk, so it could be the altimeter function jumped in and added a correction, or it could be just that it was about 93% accurate.  I'm fine with either possibility but others might not be.

It was completely accurate at counting 100 steps with a normal arm swing, and seemed to guess a bit more with hands in pockets, but only by a few stpes and it was not a consistent under or over-count when tried on a few 100 step trials.  One longer trial of hands out/hands in over the same loop had 612 steps with arms swinging vs 552 with hands in pockets. But hey, how is it even figuring out I'm walking at all with my hands in my pockets, if it doesn't have gps?  You have to give the thing credit for giving it a good shot.

And for most of us, what we're really interested in is relative activity.  Our bodies all take steps/miles/calories and do different things with them, and we get to know what we need to do to meet our goals via trial in error.  So in my mind, if I have 3.75 miles one day and 9.4 the next, that's useful information.  If the 3.75 was really 3.68 or 3.84, that's less important than knowing it ain't gonna cut it if I'm going to eat bigger meals than an NFL linebacker.

Is the Fitbit Force a Good Sleep Tracker?


It logs total time in bed, and also tracks when you are Awake or are Restless.

You have two choices of sensitivity to movement: one has you sleeping in a deep coma-like state most of the night, and the other has you thrashing around hour after hour getting very little actual snooze time. So given the discrepancy, it's hard to trust as objective information--but if you're looking for correlations and trends over time, it could be helpful.


What's Great About the Fitbit Force:


  • The PC app is very helpful and user friendly (I don't tend to use the phone one; I'm old and like a big screen). It's compatible with MyFitnessPal which I've been using, making it pretty easy to become insanely fixated on tracking every movement and morsel throughout the day.
  • The constantly updated step and distance and calorie data are very motivating!  Especially in terms of "unofficial" daily activity that I never tend to count.  When I've tracked before, it's been more about miles run or hours bikes or gym workouts.  For example: I hate household chores.  But now, chores=steps!  Or I get where I'm going and realize I left something in the car? Instead of "oh shit, what a moron," now it's more like: "oh shit, what a moron, but yay, more steps!
  • It's slim and way less ugly and unattractive than most sports watches.

What Totally Sucks: The Fitbit Force Wristband Fastener Won't Close Properly!


Yes, the wristband is slim and cute, but the damn thing is often nearly impossible to snap closed, and it is prone to coming off unexpectedly.  Your $129 investment could be ... poof! ... completely gone, lost down a sewer grate or left behind on a trail or dropped roadside and run over by a caravan full of clowns on the way to a clown convention through no fault of your own!

I don't know who the idiots were who didn't catch this obvious flaw. Did they not do any testing on actual human wrists?

It may not be a universal problem, and perhaps large beefy male wrists make a flatter, firmer, more ideal surface to press against, who knows.  But The Lobster struggles with hers too, and on the Fitbit Force product forums there are many lengthy threads about the frustrations of this major design fuck-up.

One thing that helps a bit: hot water on the wrist band before attempting to fasten. (But not on the monitor part, as it's not waterproof). And over time, the problem has gotten a bit better.

I would suggest making sure yours is returnable if it won't close reasonably easily and securely. Or even better, see if the people in a brick and mortar store will let you take it out of the box and try it, but given these things are popular and hard to find, good luck with that.  Or wait until they upgrade this because they'd be imbeciles not to eventually get this right.

Bottom line, I'm still using and enjoying the Fitbit Force and finding it very motivating.  I think it's actually a pretty good product.  But it still pops off unpredictably, and at times can be totally obstinate about doing what it's supposed to...  um, sort of like its owner!

Do you guys use activity trackers? What do you think about them?

52 comments:

  1. It's the kind of thing I'd wear for about a week and then forget about. I'd really rather have the chocolates in the top photo.

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  2. Very fair and balanced review.

    I once reviewed an inexpensive pedometer. I ran with it several times and was amazed how accurate it replicated the number of steps for the same distance! I wonder if you wore the force on your ankle if it would be better?

    Medicine has become all about numbers. I'm sort of warn out with that.

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  3. I do not have a activity tracker, the main reason I have not bought one is if I am suppose to be wearing it all day long so it can keep track of everything, they need to make it either less obtrusive (BodyMedia) or just too sport (Nike Fuel) for wearing during a conservative office work day. So I haven't spent my money on one yet, I just stick to my Polar HRM and wing it. I was very interested in the BodyMedia (By the way I'm still bitter I didn't win that in your contest) because I feel like I must not sleep well. The conundrum...it would be nice if they had the sporty one and then an add on piece that just looked like a silver/gold bracelet for when you are dressed professionally. Maybe this should be my contribution to the fitness world and I can become a millionaire. Everyone ignore this comment, this idea is MINE!

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    1. Damn, you beat me to it Starving Bitch!

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    2. If you're not look for all the fancy bells and whistles, my FitBit Zip is by far the best monitor I've ever had. I wear it on a pocket or my bra strap so no one is the wiser. But half of what I love about FitBit is their apps/website... further commenting below!

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  4. Seeeeeeeeeees!!! I approve. ;)

    I love your honest reviews, even the sidebars ("The website says the wristband is soon going to have call notification, but I don't really give a crap. I have a device already that let's me know when I have a call: it's called a phone.") - my first LOL of the morning, thank you!

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    1. Thanks Shelley! And glad I'm not the only Sees fan, I think they are highly underrated relative to the fancier brands. I personally do what I can to increase their market share every christmas!

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  5. I have a Garmin. I think it tracks heart rate and is also a pedometer. I'm not sure as it has been in the box for more than a year. I have never used it. I saw how big the instruction book was and put it back in the box. Maybe I should make it a monthly goal to figure it out. I'm pretty sure I will stop using it after a week.

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    1. But maybe hoisting the instruction book counts as exercise? Or you could break it down Cindy and read one sentence a week, and a few years you'll know how to use it!

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  6. I learned a lot from this review. Great job! I have the jawbone UP - but what I don't like about it is to see anything, you have to plug it into your phone. I want to see the numbers on my wrist. I haven't used it lately, which I find happens with many of these gadgets.

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  7. rabby, you are hilarious as usual! i was also making jokes about the dongle - not knowing what the word means - sounds to me like a s!xtoy ! :)
    about the force - losing those buggers seems to be the Problem nr. 1 here. which kinda s!cks when they are quite pricey. still - loving my ONE and shuffling around Berlin as best as i can.

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    1. I kinda like "rabby!" Short for rabble-rouser? And glad your ONE is working for you!

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  9. Love your review and I learned something - it has a stopwatch?! Now I just need to figure that part out and test it! And, I agree on the closing thing - I have slung my arm around (not to hit anyone, really!) and had it go flying several times already!!
    Thanks for the shout -out!! I know that I'm not elegant so I doubt I said anything very elegantly at all!!!

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  10. So does this more steps business mean you are finding joy in those onerous tasks you talked about in your goals? It wouldn't do it for me, but maybe it's a start. We live up the equivalent of 4 stories of steps and steep gravel path, so if I leave something in the car, it'll probably be there for a couple of days.

    I don't have one of these gadgets. I am tempted, mostly because gadgets like this generally tempt me, but if they don't track my cycling calories, they'll be trying to convince me I can't have ice cream. But I do have a watt meter on my bike, which I have used for quite a few years now. It is not simple, and not cheap, but it measures my actual output without regard to the sort of day I am having. Annoying at times, but definitely a more accurate measurement. It also measures distance, speed, time, altitude, amount climbed, temperature, heart rate, pedal cadence, and lots more that I can't be bothered to figure out. Plus it does measure k-cals (which are pretty much the same as regular old calories), and since its count is based on exactly the number of watts I have put out, it is a real number. And finally, I really love being able to look down and see 1400 calories used when all I have done is ride around a beautiful area for a few hours!

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    1. DRG, still working on the Joy of Chores thing, but actually, the "credit" I get walking around helps! And I really like the idea of an objective measure of effort like the watt meter.

      And I bet if you left a carton of Ben and Jerry's in the car you'd find your way up and down the stairs... :)

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  11. Well my middle aged, night sweats having, tossing and turning self would probably make the thing blow up!

    I already know I sleep really crappy, Crabby, so I'll stick to my Garmin, which I love and use all the time.

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    1. Too funny Helen! But if I haven't blown it up you wouldn't...

      My problem is with my postmenopausal brain, I can never remember to turn off the tracking function in the morning, so the thing thinks I spent all day in bed!

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    2. You do know you can manually adjust the time you woke up when you forget to turn off the sleep timer, right? (Not that I EVER HAD to do this myself…no, I would never!)

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  12. I got a Fitbit zip for Christmas. Initially I was bummed that it's the model that doesn't track sleep, but the more I read about how the sleep tracker works, the more I realize that it's probably not all that accurate anyway. Besides, getting enough sleep is not something I am bad at, so it wouldn't necessarily be data that would end up being helpful.

    I already had an activity monitor that I bought from WW, so for the time being I'm wearing that, AND the zip. And then when I work out I also wear a HRM (although I'm having huge problems with chafing on the chestband, so sometimes I just wear the watch as a timer because I can't deal with more scabs on my chest). I feel like a walking gadget.

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    1. OTF, don't you just sometime feel like you should have a charger implanted in your body so you could plug yourself in and just charge and sync all your wearable gadgets at one time? Um, ok, maybe that's just me...

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  13. This one i will skip -- if i ever have the money to get such a tracker, it would have to stay glued to me like white on rice, because i'd have to save up so long just to get it.

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  14. I have the "Fitbit One" and would love the Force so I wouldn't have the wide-velcro-wristband that I have with the One. (the one you wear at night) Other than that and the higher $30 price tag, the Force and the One are about the same. I love mine. I have several friends on my list (less than 10 people) and I like seeing if I am doing better or worse than they are.
    I love, love, love the sleep reports. I actually found out I was sleeping much better than I thought! As you said, if you use it to compare one of your own days to another of your own days, it is great. I can see how it is not for the super uber(?) fitness buff. For us more casual folks though, I find it a great tool!
    The community stuff and friend groups ARE all helpful in motivating me.

    I have heard the same complaint about the clasp of the wristband too. I would still buy a Force if I could! However, for now the Fitbit One is just fine.

    OH and you can also link directly to your spark-people account if you use that web site.

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    1. Sounds like the fitbit one is a great little device Sherri! At least it stays where it's supposed to!

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  15. I received a FitBit One Dec 2012 and I have worn it every day since. I love it! I wore out the first holder for it and replaced it. I accidently washed my partner's FitBit one and replaced it (although it's possible we gave up too quickly on "Fitty" and we may be able to resurrect it. I sync it with my Sparkpeople account each day and compare my activity with other friends on the FitBit board. I find it gets me off my ass most days. It inspired me to start taking the stairs at work and 99% of the time I walk up to the 6th floor every morning. Good to know about the wrist band on the force. I'm very happy with my One so I don't have any plans to replace it.

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  16. You know I'd happily read anything you write, Crabby and I always love your reviews, but I'm not into gadgets. Instead, I used my intellect and sense of humor of a 5 year old to snort at the word "dongle".

    Now, let's get to the important stuff: what that a BOAST, re. you eating that entire box of See's by yourself? SUCH a lightweight you are, dear Crabby! I have heard of these particular chocolates since 1999, when I became buddies with a woman from California, who loves them too. Being a teacher, she used to receive several boxes every Christmas and they've taken on almost a mystical status in my mind. So yeah, this is my contribution to your Fitness Blog comments, today ;)

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    1. *WAS* god damn it!!! WAS that, not "what that a ...."

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    2. Well dlamb, I didn't say the box of Sees was the ONLY thing I ate over the holidays... :)

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  17. Awesome review! Very detailed...I love it. I've tried the Jawbone Up (unfortunately). I read intensive reviews about the bands that were available at the time (late 2012) and heard horrible things about the first version of the Up - so much so that they refunded everyone that bought the first one. I read great things about the second version and decided I would try it over the Nike Fuelband. It was great, worked awesome and then just stopped working probably after about a month. I contacted Jawbone and they sent me a replacement at no cost, however that one quit on me within a week. I decided that I didn't want the hassle and just asked for a refund and returned it. Now, I'm just waiting for that "magic" band that has everything I want and works perfectly. Shouldn't be too much to ask for, right?

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    1. Courtney, thanks for that feedback! A lot of gadget reviewers like the Up, but I get the feeling they wear it for a day and then report breathlessly back about how awesome it is.... knowing they crap out quickly is very useful info! (Actually, the Lobster started with a Nike Fuelband and it stopped charging and she got a hankering for a fitbit like mine. I think technology will keep evolving... fingers crossed.)

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  18. I want to try a Verizon one but I can't afford - just pure curiosity for me since I know I am doing what it takes to stay where I am at but would be fun to see the info. :)

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  19. I have a Nike Fuel and wear it everyday, planning on doing something with the data. But really I'm just using it as a watch.

    LynM

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  20. I have a Fitbit One. It's got its pluses and minuses, but I really enjoy getting a general idea of my activity during the day. Due to health problems, my only exercise is walking, so it's just fine for me.

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    1. Mine too, NewMe. It works for me. I also keep quite busy, with things like wording on the property, but that's the extent of my "exercise". I keep planning to start some weight training. I am quite firmly in the stage of planning to plan. ;)

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  21. I adore gadgets, and this one sounds a lot more accurate than the two cheap pedometers I have acquired (for free) and that are now dead, but I doubt very much that I could stand the wristband. Not that I'm likely to spend money on one when I have such a long list of things I'd want first.

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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    1. I think you're wise to avoid the wristband Mary Anne but it sounds like you get a lot of healthy activity in your work, which I'm not sure a wristband would properly measure anyway. I'm sure there are other toys that would come first!

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    2. I love gadgets, but one that tracked my sleep would frustrate me severely unless it magically suggested effective ways to improve sleep; everything I've tried since 2001 hasn't worked.

      Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  22. I have the Fitbit One and and getting excited about upgrading to the Force. After CES there seems to be many other competitors in this space though. I love Fitbit though and have been tracking myself for a year and a half.I also use the Aria scale which works great.

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  23. Thanks all, for your comments!

    And I'm pleased to announce my first google hit for "fitbit force keeps falling off." :)

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  24. I LOVE this thing. I've had it on every day since 12/26. I have walked in windstorms, rain, negative numbers to get to my 10,000 steps. Do I care if I walked 5.12 miles or 4.7 miles??? Not really. Do I care if it knew I was awake at 2 a.m. -- no, but knowing I got 7 hours total (or less) could be helpful over time. It's all relative. I LOVE that the numbers are just there when I look at my phone. I LOVE that it sends me weekly stats... I walked 35 miles last week!! I LOVE the "celebration" on my wrist when I hit my 10,000 steps/day! You are fair, it has fallen off (especially in my sleep), but I think it gets better once it goes through a "break in" period. I am concerned that the one button will wear out... I tend to press it a lot through the day.

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    1. Good to know that the thingy is less likely to come off after the break in period, thanks Lynne!

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  25. I use a cheap GPS watch because my Timex HRM took it's final licking about a year ago. I keep thinking I want a FitBit or Nike FuelBand to be cool like my friends, but then I think I'd rather keep that extra $150 in my pocket for drinks instead.

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    1. I like your priorities LaShaune! :)

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    2. Seriously LaShaune we should totally be friends.

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  26. Thanks for the review! I kept debating and debating over the Force. I love that it's a bracelet. But I like my data for review right NOW thankyouverymuch. I have the FitBit Zip. It's my, um, fifth? different pedometer/monitor. I think. It's the best so far. Damn accurate whether I wear it at my waist or on my bra strap. I like that I can "hide" it, meaning I wear it no matter how fancy a shindig I'm going to. And really, the best thing to me about FitBit is their apps/website. Finally a place that automagically pulls my data, has a great food tracker, and a fabulous activity tracker too. Oh, and a journal! It's about the only fitness gadget I have ever been consistent with. Except for when I lost my first FitBit on a roller coaster, I haven't gone a day without it in a year. So yeah. Thanks for convincing me to stick with what I have. :D

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  27. I was shocked how I LOVE MINE!!!!

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  28. Did you see the latest news story that Force wearers are getting severe rashes/burns from wearing them?

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/fitbit-force-rashes_n_4590859.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

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    1. Ack!! Thanks for the link Deb... so far, no rash for me, but will keep an eye out!

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  29. Sees: Long story short... the Sees boxes in and of themselves have afforded me many an upper body workout as I schlepped them across concourses flying cross country to make deliveries to my dad. We're talking the BIG shopping bag with handles and everything! Sadly, the bags never measured activity output. I just want to know, Crabby, did you also snarf up the free sample at the counter? I think that counts for bonus points!

    FitBit, Fuel, Garmin, Nike+, etc... - have love/hate relationships with all of them! In fact, at this very moment I am praying that my Garmin stops reviving itself and has a swift and merciful death so I have an excuse for yet another device in the collection of oft sworn at paraphernalia (including jumbled cords, chargers, instruction manuals, and loose twist ties).

    I seriously wonder if I don't get more energy output by way of swearing, stomping angrily and general jumping up and down in frustration when these gadgets conspire to torment me. And yet - I love them. Kind of like and electronic version of Parisian style apache dancing.....
    Anon

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  30. I just bought a Fitbit Flex and its worked a grand total of 45 minutes out of 5 hours. I have reset it twice and it still wont register any of my activity. I'm extremely bummed and irritated by the whole thing. I bought it to I'm giving up and returning it in the morning.

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  31. Sometime I'll be asked: Would you recomend..." Ans: NO! Because of the stupid wrist band.

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