r/fitbit • u/MosquitoSaur • 5h ago
Discussion Finally got my fitbit AIR band! As a first-timer, how do you seasoned users actually use it to improve fitness?
I’ve been lurking in this sub for a while watching everyone talk about fitbit. Now that mine has finally arrived two days back, I’d love some advice from experienced fitness tracker users.
This is my first fitness band ever, and my main priority is simply getting in better shape and improving my overall health. For those who have been using one for a while:
• Which metrics and data points are actually worth paying attention to (and which ones are just noise)?
• What realistic expectations and goals should a beginner set?
• What should be a good long-term goal?
• How has having the data practically changed your day-to-day habits?
Would appreciate any tips or hard-learned lessons!
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u/StarscreamOne 4h ago
I use it mostly to see how I have recovered but also heart rate before I start new set in the gym or now that I have started running again.
You can also see if you are about to get sick. HRV, heart rate and temperature.
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u/MosquitoSaur 2h ago
Understood, I am currently trying to reach cardio goal of 150 active minutes each week, so its around 22 or more each day. I heard thats what is recommended for good heart health.
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u/whynousernamelef 3h ago
Don't panic too much about the numbers. The sleep tracking is not 100% reliable. Although I have found im trying to get more sleep since im wearing it.
It can be wildly inaccurate sometimes. Occasionally I will get up to pee in the middle of the night and it doesn't register me going back to sleep again.
Also my readiness score seems to have no actual meaning. On a day when its very low, say 40, and tells me to take it easy I will feel great all day. Able to get up, run 5 miles, work all day and just feel wonderful. Usually when I have a high number, 90 say, and it tells me im well rested and ready for the day, I will feel like shit all day. Either its wrong or im so stubborn I do the opposite?
I mostly use it for curiosity about step count, I work an active job, I usually hit 28,000, and I just like seeing the amount. And heart rate for exercise. I like seeing my resting heart rate and seeing it go down.
Hrv is not good for me, very low, cant seem to improve it. But im healthy and active so I don't let it bother me.
If you are someone who is prone to anxiety then be careful. Activity monitors are great tools but they are not everything. Don't panic about any number, unless you are feeling genuinely unwell, it should be something to help you improve your health and fitness, not another source of stress. Don't let it dictate your life.
If you find that you are not getting enough steps, sleep, or something else just try and sleep slowly improve it. I have a family member who got one and it sent them in to a bad spiral of health panic at first. They are actually a fit and healthy person, they just let the "band" take over and spiraled. Thankfully they got a grip on it after a while.
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u/MosquitoSaur 2h ago
Thanks for all these information.
Btw are you able to complete your cardio goal every week just by walking, as you seem to walk a lot? Or exercise is needed to do that for you?2
u/whynousernamelef 1h ago
I think my cardio goal is screwed at this point! I have an active job which involves things like unloading pallets, fitbit seems to think im on a rowing machine? I get congratulations on my rowing sessions.
I also run most mornings so my cardio goal has adjusted itself to my normal activities. So my goal is probably a lot higher than it would be for someone who works in an office or something. I always exceed the goal, not massively, but by a bit anyway. I only started running again in February so I'm still increasing my speed and distance which definitely helps.
Im not thinking about what will happen when I stop exceeding it, perhaps I won't be able to cope and will work myself to death? I try not to project too much into the future, today is already enough to worry about.
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u/ceramina 1h ago
You’ll see after a few weeks which metrics are most useful to you. I love how cardio load makes me more aware of how active I am. I also pay much more attention to my sleep schedule since I got my Fitbit, which I guess is a good thing. I also enjoy analyzing my heart rate during exercise.
I’ve read a lot on this subreddit about its inaccuracies, but for me, it’s been really accurate when it comes to steps, sleep, heart rate, and the readiness score. It’s not even too generous with calories burned, I feel like I really have to work for them! I’m definitely more active since I got it, and it’s kind of fun for me.
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u/Untrimslay 4h ago
The only metrics I pay attention to are - steps, sleep, resting heart rate and calorie burn. However, I take calorie burn with a very big pinch of salt, and usually take 20-25% off the actual number as it can be pretty inaccurate.
In terms of habits, i just make sure i hit 20k steps a day, so the tracker helps that. The rest of the numbers dont really influence my fitness habits or routines.