Tracye is one of our BlueCross employees testing five popular fitness trackers and sharing her experiences so you can make a better choice about which one is right for you.
When you have a good support system, you may find it easier to develop the healthy habits you desire most. Perhaps you’re the type of person who needs that “extra umph” to get on your feet and get moving.
If you need a pat on the back or a little friendly competition to get your feet moving, you may like having the Fitbit Charge HR (with heart-rate tracking) on your wrist. In fact, our next fitness tracker tester, Tracye, says those features are ones she can’t live without.
Fitbit Challenges = Friendly Competition
“I rely on the Fitbit Challenges tool to keep me moving,” Tracye explains. “It gives you that extra push to go beyond the goals you’re setting. I’d have a hard time staying motivated without it.”
Tracye was already a Fitbit Flex user when she started using the Fitbit Charge HR – losing 10 pounds in the first month with the Flex. Today, she’s influenced several coworkers to join her in using a Fitbit for the Challenges.
“We have a ‘work week hustle’ to see who gets the most steps during the work week and a ‘weekend challenge’ to keep us competing throughout the weekend,” she says. “The Charge HR also sends you encouraging messages, trophies for achievements and lets you know if another person on the challenge is getting close to your steps – that gets the friendly competition going.”
Thinking about buying a fitness tracker? Read our fitness tracker reviews.
More Than Just Steps
If you want to keep an eye on your calories, the Charge HR can answer that call. The heart-rate tracking feature of the Charge HR gives a better indication of how hard your heart is working allowing for more accurate data on the amount of calories you’re burning. Tracking your steps alone can’t give you that detail.
“You can go a step further by using the MyFitnessPal app to count how many calories you’re taking in, too. The Charge HR syncs with that app,” explains Tracye. “But, one of the best features of the Charge HR is that it shows you all your information on your wrist – you don’t have to go to a computer or phone to check it.”
The Only Device You’ll Need Throughout the Day
Having all your information in one place is something Tracye describes as “necessary.”
“There’s a clock on the Charge HR too so I can check the time without having to wear a watch at the same time,” she says. “That’s very convenient. The Charge HR is truly the only device I need throughout the day.”
Reviews are not scientific and are the sole opinions of the reviewers, not an endorsement by BCBST of any specific device.
Consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.
Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.
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