Stay fit with a bit

FitBit.

A genius of a name. It rhymes. It’s short. It says it all. And apparently, it is becoming a “must have” item if you’re serious about maximizing movement in your life. Or to be more accurate, if you are serious about recording your activity minute-by-minute including: the steps you take, the distance you cover, the calories you ingest, your heart rate, how well and how much you sleep, the number of “active” minutes you spend in a day, what time it is, your BMI, the weight you lose and the muscle mass you gain. I’ve probably missed a few things like caller ID, music control and GPS tracking-- but you get the idea.

I’ve heard that a FitBit can tell you when you’re sick—even what is the matter with you, but I haven’t verified those claims. Some models give you feedback—they smile at you when you do something right. They can sync automatically with your phone, IPad and computer or Bluetooth so wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you can be in touch.

Warning: Choosing a Fitbit is no easy task. That “FitBit” word is the name for a whole family of fitness products designed to keep you motivated and improve your health by keeping track of your everything.

Described as “wearable technology,” most of them are worn around your wrist, but you can find models that attach to a bra or t-shirt if wearing it on your wrist is just too much of a constant reminder of what you are or are not doing or should or should not be doing moment by moment.

You’re gonna need a bit of cash if you want to own a FitBit. You can buy a “Zip” model for 59.95, a “One” for 99.95, a “Flex” for 99.95, a “Charge” for 129.95, a Charge HR” for 149.95 or a “Surge” for 249.95.  Various models are classified as suitable for “everyday,” “active,” or “performance,” wear. That must mean that you need more than one if you plan to track your daily activity, your active moments and any competitive events you enter. Should you be into tracking your weight, check into the “Aria Scale,” a gizmo that lets you step on it to weigh yourself.

Surprisingly, the FitBit was not the first product of its kind. Forerunners include apps like Apple Healthkit and Google Fit, Microsoft Band, Apple Watch, Android Gear, MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and EveryMove.

FitBits can energize one’s competitive instinct. One area hospital issued FitBits to all staff and employees and challenged them to “outFit” each other. A nurse moved into the lead by attaching his FitBit to the collar of his hyperactive dog. Another ran hers through the washing machine. It survived and she emerged as head of the pack.

What happens if you wear two FitBits?  Can you double your fitness along with your fun? Just wondering.

Hey! No wisecracks intended. I’ve long believed running guru Amby Burfoot’s assertion that “There is no failure in running or in life as long as you keep moving.”  I just think you can do it without a tracker on your wrist.