Fitbit Charge HR wearable fitness tracker is perfect for the average consumer. I was on the hunt for the best fitness tracker / watch that is stylish. I wanted one that tracks different exercises, sleep at night, active heart-rate resting, heart rate working out, syncs to my Iphone and has a good app. Most of all, I wasn't looking to spend a lot of money. I didn't want to spend $300 on something I might grow bored of quickly.
I bought my Fitbit Charge HR in size large even tho my wrist is small. The silicon band is light and adjustable with belt buckles. It was nice to give my wrist some breathing room.
To begin with, I expected a lot out of the Fitbit. I expected good app features. And I doubted whether the watch's basic black design was stylish enough for the office. Initially, I wanted it to have a bright colorful touchscreen like this the Polar A360. Because it just looks cool.
However, a few months has passed and I haven't been able to find a wearable fitness technology that is able to beat what the Fitbit Charge HR does (in the same price point). While the little LED display clock is basic it is easy to turn your wrist and tell time. A light tap on the screen will display your heart-rate, steps or other data. The watch is comfortable to wear working out and also when you are pounding keys on the computer.
What makes the Fitbit Charge HR fun is the plethora list of items that you can challenge yourself or stay motivated with your #fitfam friends. Do everything you can to reach your daily steps for Goal Day or engage in the Workweek Hustle and try to get the most steps between Monday and Friday.
Personally, I like to set my exercise goals to at least 3 workouts in a week. If I am able to get an extra run in that will be a bonus.
The Fitbit App itself is intuitive and easy to use. The graphics are pleasing and the new software and firmware updates significantly improved syncing and tracking. It added automatic sleep and activity session tracking making it smoother and a more automated fitness tracker. Use Exercise Mode and SmartTrack™ automatic exercise recognition to record all of your workouts. Activate Exercise Mode on your tracker for the most precise tracking during workouts and real-time stats on your wrist.
Customize your heart-rate zones to optimize your training. The band helps me push for those peak heart rate zones when needed and stay within the fat burn zones I especially want to target during those Lagree megaformer workouts.
I wished Fitbit would sync and pair with My Fitness Pal and have a better nutrition tracking repertoire. For those, who already use My Fitness Pal, it is a nuisance to re-enter the data. In the end, I just gave up using this feature in my Fitbit app.
I also wish that it had an universal mini-USB adaptor instead of it's own proprietary USB plug. The cable itself is also too short to plug behind my Mac. And I better remember to charge it at home (since I only have the one Fitbit cable).
Fitbit Charge HR Pros
- Long battery life over four days
- LED display for clock and quick tap for other data
- Automatically tracks sleep and exercise activities
- Comfortable to wear and adjustable
- Silent alarm: It vibrates and less abrasive then a blaring siren alarm.
- A great motivator to get moving and stay healthy.
Fitbit Charge HR Cons
- Proprietary USB charger. Don't lose it. Mini USB would be so much better!
- Limited nutrition food tracking repertoire (and does not sync with My Fitness Pal)
- Sometimes I get too obsessed over my steps! Gotta get those steps in!
- It's not exactly discrete: It is not very small and others will know you are wearing a fitness tracker. This doesn't really bother me but it doesn't scream formal wear either.
Overall, I am quite pleased with the Fitbit Charge HR and foresee myself getting a lot of mileage out of this wireless tracking fitness watch.
Have you ever worn a fitness tracker? Which one do you like best? Share with me in the comments below.
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