Step one is to start exercising. Step two is to keep doing it. Step three is to see and feel results. But even if you manage to stick with the first two steps, the third one can be a little hard to attain. You may not see results right away and, depending on how long it's been since you exercised, you may feel worse instead of better--at least in the short term.
That's one reason people get personal trainers and go to gyms: to find other people to tell them how they're doing and offer encouragement. Those services cost hundreds of dollars. The Fitbit Tracker, which is sort of like a pocket-size personal trainer, can watch you 24/7 and, with an accompany Web site, tell you how you're doing, all for $99.
Launching today at TechCrunch 50 in San Francisco, the wireless device is no bigger than a standard thumb drive and is designed like a clip, so it can slip onto clothes. It'll also fit neatly in any pocket. While you wear it, the FitBit has a built-in motion sensor that tracks exercise intensity levels, calories burned, sleep quality, steps and distance traveled.
Sleep quality is an interesting innovation: The FitBit also ships with a wrist strap, so you can wear it during sleep. According to James Park, CEO of Fitbit, human wrists experience slight tremors as we go in and out of REM sleep. The amount of tremors correlates directly to the quality of sleep.
The FitBit also ships with a 2.4-GHz wireless base and charging station. Slide the FitBit device on, and it receives a 10-hour charge. Walk by it while you're wearing the device, and your latest information is automatically delivered to the station, which passes it along to the FitBit Web site. The site is free to access, but only those who bought a FitBit device can deliver and manage their workout, health, and sleep information. You can also measure your progress against friends and family. Park called this "peer motivation".
The current FitBit Device has no display, but Park promises that the final product, expected this December, will feature an OLED display. The readout will include, among other things, a user-definable avatar that will shrink and grow to indication your progress. Kind of like a Tamagotchi, except you're the one you're keeping alive.
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September 10, 2008 7:00 AM
If I wear it when I sleep, when will I charge it?
September 10, 2008 10:39 AM
I believe that is incorrect that the charge only lasts 10 hours. The actual FitBit website says 10+ DAYS on a charge.
September 10, 2008 11:37 PM
SOLD! I'm glad I didn't buy that crappy Nintendo WiiFit game. This looks like it will work better.
September 12, 2008 3:00 PM
The FitBit looks to be a very cool product and I am excited to see it in person. We have a similar activity based solution.
Our Gruve Solution is an activity-based weight management solution derived from 10+ years of obesity related research by Dr. James Levine of Mayo Clinic. We are already providing our weight management solution to employees at Best Buy, US Bank, Salo, Emerson and others.
Our device uses similar technology, combined with active feedback and the proprietary knowledge from Mayo Clinic to make this an extremely accurate calorie burn measurement tool configured to each individual.
What all of this really boils down to is increasing a person's NEAT or Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. That is, all of the non-exercise movements you do throughout the day that add up to additional calorie burn.
To learn more, check out the ABC 20/20 web site. Dr. Levine did a great interview with them and showed the outcomes from Salo.
September 14, 2008 7:47 PM
Their web site provides a FAQ for one to read before PREORDERING.
The site has no way to order nor do they answer email asking how to order!
September 19, 2008 10:52 PM
if you find some of the vidz they say that they are only taking pre-orders right now... it should be out shipping in december/jan and the people who put in the order first will be served first.
it looks interesting, i think that the bodybugg is more acurate, and the v.3 should be out around the same time that this comes out.
if fitbit keeps the website free they will have a one up on bodybugg... if they charge... there's not much reason to choose them over apex.
March 10, 2009 11:37 AM
I have discussed it on my blog, done a lot of research on this product and the like, this product is a lot like the PalmPre... if it delivers the way they say it will, then they will be selling a whole lot of these things.
They really seem to get it - it's almost like the whole iPod vs Zune or Iphone vs everyother smartphone... they have actually thought about the user experience - not charging extra for the website, a device that you can wear anywhere, nice price point, attractive device that is highly effective, involving the 2.0 interactive community, keeping it somewhat open - i could go on...
I've talked with them and they are spending a whole lot of time to get it right - I will update on my blog when i get mine.
Nice post.