Fitbit Vs Bodymedia Vs Bodybugg

Weight Management is becoming more tedious and difficult off late. Although there are quite a number of weight reduction programs available online and offline, getting accurate measurements of weight reduced is quite difficult.

However the method to count the accurate number of calories that you have lost in these workouts and your normal daily routine is one thing that gives you the much needed motivation towards your weight reduction goals.

Update: Fitbit has launched its latest version named Fitbit Ultra. Click the below link to view the new features.

Pedometer Based Equipments 

Many types of equipments have recently been introduced in the market exactly with the preview of counting calories throughout your day and during your sleep too. These equipments are mostly small in size making it simpler to carry along while you go about your daily routine. The best among these devices is Fitbit.

Almost all of these devices are based on pedometers which estimate the work done by you taking into account the distance covered in any particular period of time by walking or running.

However, the newer versions take into account the diet you have taken during the day and calculate the amount of calories taken in vs. the amount of calories spent doing workouts and other activities. Some of the most popular devices which belong to this group and those that we are about to compare in detail are Fitbit, Bodybugg, and Bodymedia.

Fitbit Vs BodyBugg Vs Bodymedia

Although all the three devices perform very similar functions, they are not without a difference. These differences make them to be classed as the good, better and the best.

A comparison among these popular brands of weight monitoring devices would give you an idea of which one would make the best buy and why.

Convenience  

These weight monitoring devices require to be placed in contact to your body so that the recordings may be done.

The Fitbit device is very tiny in size and can be easily carried around in your shirt pocket or pant pockets. You can also clip the device in your clothes too.

The device remains completely disguised and you would not have the inconvenience of having an extra projection in your garment.

The Fitbit also does not require you to have any skin contact to estimate the amount of calories spent. There is also a wristband provided with the device which makes it easy to be worn during the night to calculate the amount of calories burnt while sleeping.

Both BodyMedia and BodyBugg on the other hand are little larger than the Fitbit and are easily visible when worn. They have to be mounted on a band which can be worn around your upper arm. You have to take enough care to place the sensor against your skin on the back of your arm.

You should not use any sort of oil or cream on this part of your skin, and thus if you have a dry skin or other skin problems you might need to change the position of the band frequently. Redness of skin is one common problem due to continuous contact of the device to the skin.

Functioning

The Fitbit device is quite revolutionary and is capable of tracking your movements throughout the day with its three dimensional motion tracking sensor.

This enables it to measure the intensity and duration of any physical activity, count the number of steps you have taken while moving from one place to another and also estimate the number of calories burnt taking into account the distance covered by you.

The BodyMedia and the BodyBugg devices however calculate the amount of calories burnt using the number of steps taken; sweat produced, and body temperature and the heat produced by your muscles. These sometimes may be altered due to external environment and hence there may be fluctuation from the actual calories burnt.

Sleep Monitoring 

Sleep monitoring is very important especially in the wake of different studies giving a direct correlation between sleep and weight management.

Although all the three devices are capable of counting calories during your sleep based on your movements, Fitbit is unique in giving the accurate measure of the number of hours you had effectively slept without any disturbance during the night.

Fitbit does it by monitoring your movements during the night. It also gives the amount of calories burnt while sleeping. You are required to wear the device using the wristband that is provided along with the device every night.

BodyMedia and BodyBugg, on the other hand do not require you to wear the device every night, they tend to take a reading of one time and replicate it if you choose not to wear it. Thus there are significant changes in the counting done in a day.

This is done so because these devices require skin contact and having some device poking against your skin 24 hours a day would not be convenient at all.

Display

Fitbit has a very simple and easy to understand display. It gives you real time statistics with a small beep every time you reach a higher level in your calorie burning process which motivates you throughout your day.

You can learn how active you are at any point of time which is given by a floral description. If the flower grows, then you are active; a retracting flower shows your inactivity. This is so simple that you would not be required to do any calculation, a glance would do.

The BodyMedia and BodyBugg give you the calories burnt in numbers and graphs which can be retrieved only after it is connected with your computer. You would not be able to get data while on the move and hence the boosting factor to workout more is absent.

Data Storage 

When the Fitbit devices comes within 15 feet of its home docking station, all the data that is required to be updated to the Fitbit website will be automatically updated and no manual intervention is required.

Another advantage is the large memory storage space of the device which can accommodate data of seven day in a row. This makes it easy for you to go on a trip carefree and then upload the data after your return. The hassles of carrying along the dock station would be reduced (especially when you go trekking or cycling and so on.)

The online application gives you the calories of food that you have consumed during the day and hence gives an overall effective calories-in to calories-out report.

Fitbit even has a Mobile App to track your workouts and activities.

The BodyMedia and BodyBugg devices do not have this automatic wireless updating facility and you have to plug in the device to your computer to get a detailed report. You thus have to spend some time separately for this.

There have also been problems while transferring data from the device to the computer which has caused some irrelevance in the data leading to misinterpretations.

Cost

With so many revolutionary and unique features the Fitbit comes at a ridiculously low price of just $99. This includes free lifetime activity and sleep stats in its website.

You also get free visual map of your progress so that you can keep track of whether your activity is enough or change is required. You can also use the website freely to prepare a chart of your progress and compare it with other people with same groups and so on.

The differences between BodyMedia and BodyBugg howsoever arise in their price factor. BodyMedia is sold in their company’s website for around $260.

The bodyBugg system has a number of versions, their original BodybuggSP device ranges from $219 to $249 while the version 3 comes at $165 to $199 and $234 to $298 if you need additional display.

Conclusion

Although all the three devices claim to perform similar functions, Fitbit is far ahead in terms of 3-Dimensional sensing of your mobility, convenience of wearing and carrying around, storing data, display and also cost.

The price when compared to its utility is almost negligible and affordable too. If you are a person who wants to reduce weight, a fitness enthusiast or a sports person, Fitbit is the right weight monitoring device that you cannot go without.

Useful Links 

Order Fitbit Ultra Now - Advanced Version of Fitbit

Fitbit Official Website