Fitbit

• Integrates with Other Apps
• Variety of Fitness Trackers
• Customizable Dashboard
• Available at Multiple Retail Stores

Integrates with Other Apps

The Fitbit app integrates seamlessly with several other apps, including Lose It!, MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun. The app offers daily tracking and totals and calculates your individual average and how you progress over time. 

There is also a Premium version of the app for the serious athlete, which features in-depth analyses of food, sleep, and activity that can be exported to be shared with coaches, trainers, or doctors. The Premium version will also recommend personalized fitness plans based on your results. And, of course, the app can be accessed from Apple, Android, and Windows mobile devices, as well as Macs and PCs.

Variety of Fitness Trackers

Fitbit offers a wide variety of fitness tracking options, providing trackers for a variety of lifestyles. Whether you want just to track your steps, sleep or more detailed workouts, Fitbit has a tracker for you. Ranging from $59.95 to $249.95, Fitbit provides quality products for a pretty reasonable price.

Listed below are Fitbit's tracking devices:

Each Fitbit tracker is unique in appearance and offers different capabilities. 

For example: Say you're looking for a simple device that tracks your steps, acts as a heart rate monitor, but isn't too big or eye-catching. You might want to look into the Fitbit Flex 2 (you could also consider the Fitbit Flex, but this may not be easy to find since it has been replaced by the Flex 2). This wearable device is one of Fitbit's slimmest wristbands and offers a variety of features, including the following:

• Swim-proof — use it for swim tracking
• Interchangeable accessories — removable tracker fits in bands, bangles, and pendants
• SmartTrack — automatically recognizes exercise
• Reminders to move
• Call and text notifications
• Auto sleep tracking
• Silent alarm

The display isn't informative (you'll actually have to visit the app to view your daily activity), but the device is sleek and discreet. The battery will generally last up to five days but will vary depending on your usage, settings, and other factors. 

On the other hand, if you want a wearable device that acts more like a small phone. You may want to look into the Fitbit Versa 2 and 3, or the Fitbit Sense. 

The Sense is a smartwatch with advanced health-tracking capabilities. You can still track your heart rate and steps, but the device also comes with several tools for stress management, heart health, Sp02, skin temperature, and more. An on-wrist EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity, which indicates your body's response to stress. The Sense also has an ECG app that assesses your heat for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm irregularity. You can download hundreds of apps for fitness, sports, games, and more. The battery life generally lasts up to six days but will vary depending on your usage, settings, and other factors. 

Overall it depends on what you want and your preferences. Luckily, Fitbit offers such a variety of products that you're bound to find something that fits your lifestyle.

Customizable Dashboard 

A major advantage of Fitbit is its tracking software. The dashboard can be customized to quickly check the details you're most interested in.

Available at Multiple Retail Stores

If you're thinking of buying a Fitbit activity tracker, there are a few different places you can look. 

Fitbit has partnered with the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Kohl's
• Target
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• REI
• Verizon
• Walmart
• Dillard's 
• Macy's
• Academy Sports + Outdoors
• QVC
• HSN

• Proprietary Charging Cords
• Need the Wireless Dongle
• Large Recall

Proprietary Charging Cords

The downside of Fitbit products is the requirement to use proprietary charging cords; if you misplace yours, you won't be able to charge your Flex or One until you've bought a new cord (the Zip's 3V coin battery lasts six months).

Need the Wireless Dongle

Additionally, if you're syncing with your computer, you'll need to use Fitbit's wireless dongle. The dongle will plug into any USB port, but it's tiny and very easy to misplace. Replacement charging cords or wireless dongles are only $19.95 each; however, the costs could add up if you tend to lose things.

Large Recall

Fitbit issued a massive recall of its Force tracker in February 2014. After some Force users complained of skin irritation — specifically, allergic contact dermatitis to the nickel content in the core piece — Fitbit issued a voluntary recall on all Forces and offered consumers full refunds. Although the skin allergy affected only about 1.7 percent of Force owners, those that developed it experienced redness, rashes, and blistering where their skin had been exposed to the tracker. No skin complications have been reported with Fitbit's other devices, and the Fitbit Force is no longer sold by Fitbit.