In this latest edition of Friday Un-Frugal Finds, let’s chat about those plastic, colored, unisex bracelets that you see everywhere. No, not the bracelets worn in support of a cause. I’m talking about the overpriced pedometers called Fitbits.
What does this product do to make life better? The main function of the Fitbit product is to track your footsteps, but they also keep tabs on the hours that you sleep every night. Their website boasts that they have a product for everyone . . . as long as you have an extra $59.95 to $249.95 to spend on a plastic, electronic bracelet. While there are simple pedometers for sale on Amazon under $20, the makers of Fitbit appeal to the popularity of “being connected” by advertising that you can sync this product with other devices. So, it’s a pedometer that you wear all day and it sends data to your smartphone, because you really need to track trends in your daily step count.
I have a family member with one of these bracelets. She explained that if she is sitting on the couch and notices her step count is low, it will motivate her to get up and go for a walk. But, if you’re just sitting on the couch, when you could be doing something productive, then you should really know better. Just get up and move. You shouldn’t need to check a mechanical bracelet to see how many steps you’ve taken during the day. On the flip side, what about when you reach your goal for the day? Do you now have permission from the device to sit on your butt and refrain from moving unless necessary? I see a a clear corally to our attitudes about money: only put in extra effort if reminded that we’re falling behind. Or, that once we reach a certain point, we don’t need to try anymore. I searched “fitbit” on Pinterest and found this:
I know this is supposed to be funny or ironic, but only because it’s based in the truth. People are unmotivated to do anything without some type of gratification, even if it’s only a digital counter reminding them of their great accomplishment – walking. We seem incapable of thinking beyond the simple goals or about the long-term repercussions of our actions. Relying on a Fitbit to remind you when to walk is akin to apathetically conforming to the standard roadmap of life. You have a job, pay your bills, and put a little bit of money into a retirement account for old age. It’s like the Fitbit “life-step counter” notifies you that your daily requirements have been satisfied; you’ve accomplished the bare minimum. Now, you have permission to sit down and be unproductive. There is no need to go above and beyond, to find other ways to make money so you can retire earlier. No, just wait for the counter to reset tomorrow, and repeat.
My own experience has taught me that sometimes you do need to fall behind before you’re motivated to get ahead. I subscribed to this concept of doing “just enough” for far too long. Fortunately, my attitude has changed so that now, sitting still drives me crazy. I can’t afford to waste any time. My goals provide me with inspiration to keep working, creating, and thriving. Admittedly, I have a long ways to go, there are many steps ahead of me just to get out of debt. I just hope to never reach a point where I say, “That’s good enough, I don’t have to try anymore.”
I totally agree on most of your points, but I will say, I really like my fitbit. I exercise fairly regularly so I never anticipated using it for motivation purposes (thought it is fun to “challenge” your coworkers). Regardless, I have the Charge HR, which includes a heart rate monitor, and that’s what I love. Now I can workout with just 1 device on my wrist, instead of the annoying watch + chest strap + foot pod combo I was using before. That being said, if you have no use for heart rate information (heart rate zones is basically how I work out), then I can’t see why a cheaper pedometer wouldn’t work for people. Plus, it’s not the most attractive thing to have on you at all times – I’m lucky my blazer sleeve tends to cover it up. As to syncing to your phone, I actually kind of like it, but I also have it sync my workouts to MyFitnessPal where I track my food, so that’s the bigger benefit to me. For someone actively trying to lose/maintain weight, the syncing is quite nice.
It helps that I also got mine free from work through our health insurance, so I think I paid $5 shipping and that’s it.
It sounds like you are actually using your Fitbit for reasons other than just an overpriced pedometer. Kudos on getting it for only $5!
To be honest – if someone gave me one for free, I would probably try it out. The Fitbit probably wouldn’t stay on my arm too long, however, because I don’t like the way they look and really don’t need any more information cluttering my brain on a daily basis.