Do you know what a Fitbit is? It’s a high-tech wristwatch, that can track a few things. I was recently asked what I think of Fitbits and pedometers.
Being a complete dinosaur when it comes to technology (I didn’t have a cell phone until 2008, and I used a flip phone until 2014), I really don’t know much in this arena. Physiology, I know. Technology, not so much. So I decided to do some research, so that I’d be able to put in my 2 cents. So here are my 2 cents.
Original source: here.
When Are They Useful?
Pedometers (simple tools that count the number of steps you take) and fitbits are useful as tools for awareness. If a person was to estimate how many steps they take in a day, their estimate would likely be way off. The commonly-accepted number needed for good health is at least 10,000 steps per day. The typical, desk-bound person gets nowhere near that.
Pedometers help you realize how much 10,000 steps really is. It’s about a 1.5-2 hour walk. And if you spread that across all 16 waking hours (you do sleep 8 hours a night, right?), it doesn’t take much.
Pedometers are a nice simple tool, and they may be available at Dollar stores.
Fitbits are high tech gadgets (my clients always laugh when I refer to iPhones, iPods, and iPads as “gadgets.” I don’t have any of those, and they all sound the same to me. I told you. Dinosaur). They not only count your steps, but also, your heart rate, all-day activity stats, floors climbed and sleep.
I think Fitbits can be useful for a more athletic population. When your heart rate matters. Personally, when I train for non-powerlifting competitions, I do use a heart rate monitor to gauge intensity and progress. But when I’m just doing cardio for no specific purpose, I don’t really look at my heart rate.
When Are They Useless?
Using fitbits and pedometers as a fat loss tool is a very bad idea. Fat loss is mostly a function of nutrition. Calorie counting and step counting doesn’t make much sense for fat loss, as I point out in my article, How Many Calories Are you REALLY Burning?
Having said that, physical activity has benefits regardless of whether you lose weight or not. The research is very clear on this: it’s better to be fat and fit, than thin and unfit.
For fat loss, the best approach is proper nutrition, strength training, and cardio, and if you want help figuring out what’s right for you, let me know.
