It’s finally here!  I’ve been an active FitBit user for the past 3+ years and I love it.  But I’ve also been through quite a few of the FitBit Ultra’s because they just wouldn’t stand up to the amount of sweat that was hitting the device. I usually wear the item clipped to my underware – which presented a few issues until now.

The new FitBit One is smaller in size but was also built to better handle splash and sweat compared to the Ultra.  It also now includes an alarm function that can be set from your phone.  If you’re looking for a way to measure your activity and improve your fitness goals, I highly recommend this device.  I’ve been using it for a number of years now and I don’t leave home without it on.

The Fitbit Tracker uses a three-dimensional accelerometer, similar to that in the Wii Remote, to sense user movement. The Tracker measures steps taken, distance walked, calories burned, floors climbed, and activity duration and intensity. It uses an OLED display to display this and other information such as the battery level. It also measures sleep quality: how long it takes the wearer to fall asleep, how often they wake up over the course of the night, and how long they are actually asleep. The FitBit requires the user to move the device to your wrist and push a button indicating that you are going to sleep.  You press a button on FitBit again when you awake in the morning.  The FitBit then uploads the data collected to the website so that you can view and analyze the data that has been collected.

A wireless base station is included to receive data from the Tracker and also charge its battery. When connected to a computer the base station will upload data to the Fitbit. They have also included a mobile app that uses bluetooth technology to upload data from the FitBit to the website. From the website, a number of features are possible: seeing an overview of physical activity, setting and tracking goals, keeping food and activity logs, and interacting with friends. Use of the website is free.  There is also a premium section that costs $50 for the year that gives you additional insight into your activity.  I’m a nerd and pay the extra cost for this feature as a way to continue to challenge myself.

At just $99, the amount of information that is collected and tracked from this device has provided a huge benefit to my health and invaluable insight into my fitness goals and progress to a healthier life.