(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best fitness technology products

Growing up poor, I saw first-hand the pain of trying to lose weight with less money. Between the Herbalife-style products being marketed to you by that one aunt, to the infomercials with the weird exercise equipment that doesn't work and cost your $60 savings on your birthday, to knowing the $40/mo for a gym would be impossible on your budget, to not walking outside because that's how your one friend got mugged, it felt like you tried a million things to lose weight.

Now that I'm doing financially better, I'm testing out cheap fitness bands and programs along with CICO (and a food scale) to see what poor people would be more likely to try, since I have that experience from my past.

What they need first:

• Food scale ($20 for bare minimum scale in a dept store)
  
  
  
• Showing them where/how to get decent to good running shoes, by showing them seasonal sales. (FILA shoes in my area run $20-25/avg). Keeping it simple, since everyone knows how to walk.
  
  
  
• MyFitnessPal for calories ($0, I pick this one for a reason)
  
  
  Then they need some apps or gadgety things to make them feel like they bought something to get ahead. Or the free equivalents. I'm going by android apps since I don't know any poor people who could afford any sort of iPhone.
  
  
  Google Fit app ($0)
  
  Pros:
  
  
• Free.
  
  
• Quick download - No wait like you would have buying a fitness tracker online.
  
  
• Tracks steps in the background, no need to open up to track.
  
  
• Syncs with MFP to give calories (Add app, then set as Step tracking source)
  
  
• Auto-tracking can pick up bouts of running, biking, and walking, with maps.
  
  
• Shows you what percent of people you were more active than in your area. (You were 99% more active than people in LA last week, with 123,000 step count)
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Your auto-tracked path won't show up until 30 mins later, Google Fit needs time to "think" about your GPS path.
  
  
• Calorie timing shows to your timezone in your timeline, but calories seem to be pushed based on Google HQ time (PST). So if you are east coast, you get your 9pm-midnight calories put into the next day.
  
  
  Xiaomi Band 1s ($22.99, can be found cheaper on Gearbest if you can wait)
  
  Pros:
  
  
• Heart rate and step counter for dirt cheap
  
  
• Shows step progress to your goal if you lift your hand up.
  
  
• Has SMS, phone, app, etc alerts available to buzz at you to check your phone.
  
  
• Has a wake-up alarm.
  
  
• Can make some feel like they "moved up" since they now have a fitness tracker "like everyone else."
  
  
  Cons:
  
  
• No screen display, just 3 LED lights
  
  
• Overcounts a bit. Lower your exercise calorie consumption to 30-50% rather than 50-75% because of this
  
  
• App display is simpler than Fitbit's.
  
  
• Heart rate is on demand. You can get a $2.49 app called Mi-Band Tools that can let you set heart rate, specific vibration app alerts, and even a smart alarm. It works with all Mi Bands.
  
  Wokamon($0)
  
  Pros:
  
  
• Tamagotchi-type game where steps give you XP to raise alien critters.
  
  
• Syncs with Fitbit.
  
  
• Syncs with Google Fit (and through that, Mi Bands)
  
  
• Free
  
  Cons:
  
  
• No online discussion community, so you'll have to figure out the little parts of the game yourself.
  
  
  I'll test one more one day, which is the Xiaomi Band 2. Looks like it'd be a good "cheap" Fitbit Charge HR replacement with an actual screen on it. I didn't pick it first since its non-sale price is around $40, and that's a huge amount for the super-poor. Might be good for someone starting around black Friday when it goes down below $25, though.
  
  
  Its taken me so many months to research and try all this but it was worth it. Now I have a back-up plan if times ever get tough again. And I can show others that don't have much cash how to lose weight and get active without a gym membership. :)

Ordered two different bands from Amazon, let you know in a day or two :) I'll update later. Both claim to be Mi 1 compatible and good for the Go-tcha.

Finally got my band from Amazon. Got a real cheap one, so if it wasn't good I wouldn't have wasted much. Here's the one I got, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154AVS9C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Yes, it's cheap looking, but no worse than the band that comes with the Go-tcha. The Go-tcha fits in well. It's kinda wierd. Either it sits fully in the space provided, but there's a slight flap of the plastic which covers part of the face of the Go-tcha, or you can push the Go-tcha out of the housing a bit and have that same flappy bit of the band wrap around the middle of the Go-tcha. The latter makes the Go-tcha stand very proud of the band and it'll be easy to scratch. I like it partially covered, it protects the face a little and you can position it so that you can still see what it's doing and press the red dot. Up to now I had been walking around with the Go-tcha in my pocket, but that's not ideal, you can inadvertently turn off some of the auto-capture functions when you are picking it out of your pocket if you touch the screen too long. I've worn the band on two hunting trips now, and it fits well and is comfy. I'm happy with it. There are lots of similar bands on Amazon, some are going to be shipped to you from China, so watch the delivery times. But I'd say you may be fine ordering many of them.

I also got a second cheap one from China, this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CY3Q9RI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It was $4.50 with free shipping. It's pretty much exactly like the standard Go-tcha band, but comes in different colours and fits the Go-tcha to a T. The Go-tcha stands out, above the band face, just like it does on the normal band. So it's more exposed than the band above. I like the one above, so that may be the one I use more, gives a little more protection to the cheap face of the Go-tcha. I don't normally wear a watch, so I can bang that thing if I wear it on my wrist.

Congrats!

1. When I complete an exercise or when my hubby smiles at me, tells me he loves me, or that I am beautiful :-) (i know, mushy stuff)
   
   
2. I want to get in shape because I want to be around for a long time for my kiddos and hopefully one day grandkiddos :-)
   
   
3. Drink lots of water!!! Here is a pedometer on amazon for $1.92 :-)
   
   Here is my cheap item :-)

The bike pedal has a VirZoom attached to it. It's marketed towards Quest/Go users, but can be used with PC with the use of an additional Bluetooth dongle. And they do have some content for PC on Steam, which is awesome. And there's a VirZoom SDK available on the Unity Asset Store, which I'm using here.

Anyway, just wanted to share. Hoping to get something out for people to play sooner than later. Thanks a ton ... (is it cool to single out the kind individual that made this happen? lmk)

EDIT: here's the full clip

If there's a gym like the others said, then that will be your best option (Especially if dumbbells are available for modified kb work).

The best alternatives when there's no gym for when I do travel, is either bodyweight/calisthenic exercises or (my favorite), bringing resistance bands. I picked up one of those MMA bodylastic band sets that come with all the extra handles/limb-torso/door attachments, and you can get an unbelievably powerful workout with those. I like using the bands in general with different workouts just because of their broad application...

Here's the resistance band set I was talking about from the vendor on amazon: (~$100, now - was about $30 more when I bought it a few years back and still going) : http://www.amazon.com/Bodylastics-Resistance-Stackable-components-Bodylastic/dp/B005NADBXK

If anyone does some extensive traveling between hotels/etc, those bands are well worth the investment. These will fit into any travel bag perfectly... you don't need to bring all the bands/accessory attachments with you either for space and/or personal reasons.

I can personally back up all the suggestions on the DC rainmaker article. The easiest and cheapest solution would be to try the Polar heart rate strap, which you can buy without their HR monitor.

I had the Garmin soft heart rate stap and both my wife and I had massive problems in the winter. We changed to the Polar stap and had 0 issues after that: http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Soft-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B007XCLU66?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

DC Rainmaker also suggests using electrode gel if you have issues, I found it helped when using the garmin HR stap, but because the polar resolved our HR reporting issues we haven't really used it.

If you are looking to replace your HR monitor, and are using a Garmin watch, my wife and I have had success with the new Garmin HRM-Tri, which is made of a different material than the soft heart rate straps. There is also a model strictly for running that is slightly cheaper http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-HRM-Run-Black-Red-Size/dp/B01708T7NA/ref=sr_1_11?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462547828&sr=1-11&keywords=garmin+hr+monitor

Lol. Good luck! You could also get a simple pedometer like this one if you're just wanting one to count your steps! :) Omron HJ-321 Tri-Axis Alvita Pedometer, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZWIJR2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pTD1xb37FS1JQ

I hear you, DH thinks the Apple Watch is a no go, but I'm gonna keep trying haha 💜

After a lot of research I found an obscure wearable insole technology with haptic feedback vibrations from some random company that made "smart insoles" with GPS navigation and step counting.

https://www.amazon.com/Lechal-Navigation-Fitness-Tracking-Insoles/dp/B01GFWQRY4

In 2015 the CEO was talking about an open SDK for them but it never happened. It also mentions on the box that there are certain "hands free gestures" you can do, but I can't find anything detailing what those gestures are.

If nothing else, it'd be interesting to take one apart and see what kind of motor they used for the feedback. I'm assuming it's pretty quiet.

Scosche RHYTHM+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband - Orange - Optical Heart Rate Armband Monitor With Dual Band Radio ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XIT788C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_65hnzbJY82NYE

Works great! And $20 cheaper than purchasing from OTF

I can't attest to whether these work or not but I was fascinated when I saw that it existed : https://www.amazon.com/Upright-Corrector-Strapless-Discrete-Confidence/dp/B0747YHYZF

​

If it does work, I imagine it would be very helpful and also interesting to see the data on your current posture.

​

If anyone has tried it I would love to know what you think!

>Any ideas why?

Surely anyone regularly using a dedicated stopwatch nowadays would prefer a digital one like this, which is superior in every practical way (accuracy/features/cost/reliability/weatherproofing/etc)

https://www.amazon.com/Marathon-Digital-Stopwatch-Display-Resistant/dp/B014L4TXPS/ref=lp_698866011_1_4?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1572839064&sr=1-4

Or you can save your money and buy this.

Also, get this. It takes a huge amount of guess work out of counting calories.

The MyFitnessPal food database can be helpful, but it can also be infuriating.

You don't need an account. You don't really need to go back three weeks and see that you ate half a serving of McDonald's french fries. All you need to do is make sure that you don't go over your limit on calories every day. There's no reason to overcomplicate it.

The simplest and most straight-forward way is with that pedometer, that scale, a piece of paper, a calculator, and a pen.

The scale comes with a booklet gives you "calorie factors", which are just constants by which you multiply the mass of the food, in grams, to get the number of calories. If you get into the habit of doing this, you'll actually start to have a feel for the calorie density of various foods. It'll help you estimate when you have to estimate. MyFitnessPal doesn't give you this.

The booklet also has a some blank lines in the back where you can keep foods you frequently eat along with their calorie factors. Eventually you'll just memorize everything to the point where you just throw somthing on the scale, multiply its mass times the number you've memorized, and bam: calories. No looking anything up or searching any database and trying to figure out whose calorie estimates are right.

Losing weight isn't easy, but it's really damn simple. Spending more money on expensive gadgets or looking for special applications, websites, or other gimmicks isn't going to make success any more likely.

Just buy those things I linked, find a nice park near your house, focus on your calorie balance, and that's it. Enjoy the journey.

Garmin HRM Run with Running Dynamics. Great on a compatible watch for the extra data.
Garmin 010-10997-12 HRM-Run Heart Rate Monitor Strap, (Red/Black) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01708T7NA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ib.NBb9ZP1Y7S

Breaking new ground in wearable tech, Lechal redefines navigation and fitness tracking, makes your favorite pair of shoes smart in an instant and truly gives you the world at your feet. So, what are you waiting for? Get these smart insoles today and dare to move the Lechal way. http://www.amazon.in/dp/B01GFWQRY4

The easiest thing is probably to work out at home. Get a bike or treadmill, and either get a set of resistance bands like this one, which I have and like a lot, or do a lot of bodyweight exercises. You can also work out with your baby, my daughter loves to copy me doing pushups and climbs all over me. For sure keep your back stretched and in good shape because there is SOOOO much bending and lifting and fenagling from weird angles. I messed my back up by being both out of shape and picking my daughter up out of her crib with poor form.

Same here. Watch comes off and I use a Wahoo Tickr Fit. It's great.

A separate monitor will continuously track your heart rate and be more accurate, and so much of the metrics on the bike rely on it.

Garmin Instinct meets these criteria. Easy to read, affordable, lightweight, durable, and recently released (updated sleep tracking / hr sensor, etc).

However, it does lack Vo2 max, not compatible w/ HRM run chest-strap (no advanced running dynamics), and doesn't have advanced mapping.

Seems like most users are satisfied with it. I know I am.

Comes in at $300 new, or around $250 used (like new) on Amazon.

​

Non-Garmin options that come to mind are the Polar Vantage M ($279) or COROS Apex 46mm ($350)

I bought one of these Lap Counters It works really nice. It slips around your finger and you press the button with your thumb during a flip turn. I got the one that also keeps time for me. I really love it.

I would recommend the polar FT7 heart rate watch with strap. I have been using it since last summer and have never had a problem with it on the erg or water. Here is a link to where I bought it from, for some reason the price changes with the color options(?).
http://www.amazon.com/Polar-FT7-Heart-Rate-Monitor/dp/B00NOLTQ2U

I got a nice heart rate monitor. It's a womens though. Got it cheap
http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Bronze/dp/B001U0OFD2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1321570195&sr=8-4

Polar Vantage M

This thing has been absolutely rock solid - best accuracy of any watch I’ve used (Garmin 235, Fitbit, Apple previously). Has an advertised 30 hours battery life while GPS tracking. Just did a 50-miler two weekends ago, took 18 hours and still had about half battery life at the finish line.

Get one of these. It's extremely cheap and well supported and does exactly what you're looking for and more. It pops off the band like this and it has 30+ day battery life.

Seconding/thirding Amazon!

Scosche Rhythm+ Replacement Strap - Black Strap For Scosche Rhythm+ Optical Heart Rate Monitor Armband

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM1F36K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_9scTQcgGMIVNo

Amazon sells it
Scosche Rhythm+ Replacement Strap - Black Strap For Scosche Rhythm+ Optical Heart Rate Monitor Armband https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM1F36K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uYxOCbFDZS0YR

pedometers are fun to play around with and collect your own data

There's a unit VZfit: if you've an exercise bike.

I use it daily, limited "games", but really motivating.

https://www.virzoom.com/

https://www.amazon.com/VirZOOM-Cycling-Entertainment-System-Oculus/dp/B07SJW687J/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vzfit&psc=1&qid=1572932517&sr=8-1

When I started increasing my lap counts I bought a little finger counter

http://www.amazon.com/SportCount-Inc-90030-Stopwatch-Yellow/dp/B000SAXMS4/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1419321802&sr=8-15&keywords=swim+counter

Now I wear a Garmin Swim and love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Swim-Watch-Connect/dp/B008EFU5T4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419321802&sr=8-3&keywords=swim+counter

Pretty sure the newer arm band is made by Scosche

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XIT788C/ref=twister_B00KWHQJJW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

A weight-lifting book I've heard good things about. This one is specifically for women, but they also have a general one, and one for abs.

Biggest Loser Cookbook

A pedometer (and maybe a strap for it, since that one seems to be on sale too?)

A food scale! I love mine.

For others that were also curious, the Feenix is $450 (Feenix 3 on Amazon). However, there are other models that look like they have colored displays which can run up to $700

> "May not work the way it's intended"

Lol.

Yeah, the reviews do actually communicate that: https://www.amazon.com/IFit-Graphite-Classic-Fitness-Tracker/dp/B012IYSJBC/

> Classic style- analog display with 3 fitness dials showing your daily activity

> Fitness functionality- tracks your steps, distance, and Calories

> All-day activity detection- automatically tracks all-day activity including steps, distance, and sleep

> Quick calorie logging, auto-activity detection, displays net Calories in real-time

> * Graphite case, 3-axis accelerometer, vibration notifications, water-resistant, automatic mode change, rechargeable Battery via USB cradle, interchangeable style and colored Bands, ble updated in field

iFit available on Amazon for $54.98

I bought the Wahoo Tickr Fit, it's am armband style and works really well both in terms of accuracy and with DDPY

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B078GRMFSN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

well let's look at the amazon order I just made.

camera - $200

tablet - $180

shirt - $20

shirt - $20

heart thing for wife - $70

loppers - $30

bt headphones - $50

foodsaver - $100

jeggings (wife) - $20

bra (wife) - $30

plan weights - $10

socks - $10

That leaves me with another $260 to spend...

I'm going to delete the wife stuff and the socks...

and go $10 over by buying a PS4 - $400

I can buy games for it later

Garmin Fenix 5X

Zero Tolerance 0560

Zebralight SC600w MKiii HI

Keys: Niteize s-biner, suspension clip, Subaru Outback key, Leatherman Squirt, TI-EDC Titanium Mini Pill Fob with ibuprofen, Streamlight Nano

Pilot Capless Decimo M-Nib

Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.7mm

Omron Alvita Optimized Pedometer

I would definitely recommend buying a cheap stopwatch for timing splits. For <20$ you can get one that is durable, accurate, and will last a very long time. Way more convenient than wearing a wristwatch IMO; you don't have to worry about damaging it (through exposure to sweat), charging it, and physical buttons>touchscreen (your thumb will already be on the button while running therefore more accurate results).

This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.ca/MARATHON-Digital-Stopwatch-Display-Resistant/dp/B014L4TXPS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=stopwatch&qid=1558365314&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Finally got a Scosche Rhythm+! It was only $10 off and I don't mind my chest strap. But everyone swears by them and I'm curious if there is any difference.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XIT788C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the best advice. I've had my polar for around 5 years now, it doesn't do some of the fancy stuff the new ones do, but it does what I need it to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Polar-FT7-Heart-Rate-Monitor/dp/B00NOLTQ2U

I use a pedometer clipped to my waistband because it's much more discrete than a silicone wrist band. At 140 pounds, I estimate 100 calories per 3000 steps. Per 2000 steps if I'm running. I like Omron brand because it resets every day automatically.

The biggest drawback is that I put them through the laundry every so often and they rarely survive.

https://www.amazon.com/Omron-HJ-321-Tri-Axis-Alvita-Pedometer/dp/B007ZWIJR2/ref=lp_219599011_1_18?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1509510737&sr=1-18

If you really want to spend some money, there's a device on amazon that seems to be what you're looking for. Seems expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Upright-GO-Corrector-Strapless-Confidence/dp/B0747YHYZF/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=posture+trainer+device&qid=1569214590&s=gateway&sr=8-3

so... bestbuy and amazon have it for 299 rn.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQX3306/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?tag=slickdeals09-20&ascsubtag=d712882e115d11ea8f88661e7a0f87950INT&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Not sure which monitor you have but I have this band and it works just fine.

Scosche Rhythm+ Replacement Strap... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM1F36K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I just got my first job in nursery, I'm constantly walking around and want to know how far I'm actually going! payday coming soon!

Found them on amazon with prime for $6.

Not bad, if you've got prime.

Amazon has the same deal right now:
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Fenix-5X-Sapphire-Slate/dp/B01MQX3306

I use this which is not cheap but I like it better than a chest strap and it's more accurate than the wrist-based one on my 735xt.

Look harder at the Cateyes, I had 2 of these before I went to my Edge. Actually still have one laying around but I lost one of the magnets.

I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Polar-FT7-Heart-Rate-Monitor/dp/B00NOLTQ2U

I love it. It's not too chunky on my wrist. The only problem with it and I think you would run into this with any wrist worn HRM is that when I do Thrusters or anything that requires me to bend my wrists (front rack position) I sometimes turn off the monitoring because my wrist bends back and hits the off button on the side.

I could not see the need to pay so much for a pedometer. I got all I need for $17, now it seems the price went up to $19 :( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZWIJR2/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

This shows me calories burned for the day and I just enter this into MFP as a walking activity. It has a 7 day history so I don't even need to do it every day. I feel this gives me just as much motivation to walk more as I would with a fitbit. Not that hard to copy one number a day from the device to MFP to justify paying $50-100 for bluetooth syncing. Plus I prefer to not have another website to need to log into.

I wish MFP had a way to manually enter pedometer data. It seems like they have a deal these companies to sell more fancy pedometers. No way for my to put in 10k steps manually. So I just enter it as walking 3.0mph, then enter a time that gets me close the calorie count indicated by the pedometer, tending a bit low in case the estimate is high.

$300 Fenix 5X Sapphire

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQX3306/?ascsubtag=h65kzojtsjd35l6stc7wU303bgUXT1Na&tag=dealnewscom&camp=1789&creative=9325&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

You mean this one?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019Z5UZ8M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453474658&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Mi+band+1s

Is there a way to see what "version" of HRM-RUN you are buying? It is my understanding it has minor updates yearly?

For example, can you tell which year this is?
https://www.amazon.ca/Garmin-010-10997-12-HRM-Run/dp/B01708T7NA/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hrm+run&qid=1554643521&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Amazon has it for $299 as well if your local BB is sold out.

This one's only $80.

Is it this one?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM1F36K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GxA1Cb7BS0Z78

Buy the Scosche Rhythm+ off amazon (at your own risk). It works no problem at my home studio but I have had an issue when visiting one other studio.

Also, I've read previous posts that you need to add the number 83 in front of your device ID for it to pair. However, I did not have to do that. The number printed on the back of the device worked to sync mine.

I gifted each of my cousins who are preparing for board exams an alarm clock. The sound of the alarm can wake you up from death. My cousins are probably waking up everyday cursing the moment I decided to buy it.

Other gifts include t-shirts, books, Wall clocks, Timex wrist watches, pedometer and lot of toys for the kids.