Fitbit Zip Review (and Giveaway!!!!!)
The New Year is just around the corner and with that comes a slew of New Year’s Resolutions.
This is year I’m taking a different approach t0 resolutions rather than change a “bad habit” I’ve decided to improve upon an already good habit, walking. I’m setting a goal to walk at least 3, 000,000 steps in 2013! Three million steps may sound like a lot until you break it down and see it’s 10,000 steps on 3oo hundred days of 2013. Totally doable!
Reaching that goal is going to be simpler with my new Fitbit Zip.
The Zip is a newish gadget from Fitbit. Zip tracks your number of steps, calories burned, distance, and it is a clock. It automatically (after intial set up) and wirelessly syncs to your computer and select smartphones.
Here is what I think after wearing the Fitbit Zip for a over month now.
Fitbit Zip Review
“Yeah yeah!!!”
Secure: My Fitbit Zip stays in place all day long whether clipped to the my waistband, inside my pocket, or on my bra.
Easy to Read: A few taps on the screen scrolls through your stats. If you have a compatible smartphone you can check your stats without even looking at the device.
Motivating: The Fitbit Zip is great for those who want to move more and need a little extra push to get up. (Ahem!)
Screenshot of Fitbit Dashboard
Screenshot of Mobile Fitbit App
No Monthly Subscription Fee: When you purchase the Zip you gain access to their free (and easy to use) online dashboard and free mobile app which shows your daily and cumulative progress.
Syncs with Other Health Apps: I just recently opened up a MyFitnessPal to account to stay accountable to a friend. (Do I really want that extra glass of wine?) I was excited to find out that MyFitnessPal syncs my meals and activities to my Fitbit account and adjusts my daily net calorie goal based on my activity. Check out the list of Fitbit compatible apps.
The Initial Set Up: The initial set up was easy. You just insert the battery using the battery door tool and set up your free Fitbit account and sync using the USB dongle.
Excellent Customer Service: I had a few questions about synching to my computer (I didn’t realize I needed to keep the dongle in my USB port.) and Fitbit emailed me back quickly with a friendly and helpful response.
Fun!!!: It’s fun to go on a hike and see how much you walked. It’s fun to look at your progress on your Fitbit dashboard. It’s fun to set and reach goals. It’s fun to get an email congratulating you on reaching your goals.
“Hmmm???”
Remember to Add Your Activity: You have to enter any extra activity other than walking separately to get a more accurate calorie burn. This is especially important if you are tracking your calories. You want to make sure you are eating enough to support your caloric output so your metabolism stays firing so don’t forget to add that extra activity.
Not always lightening fast: Most of the time it syncs quickly but sometimes it takes a minute or two to sync to my computer or phone. Not a big deal but wanted to let you know.
Not rechargeable: Unlike it’s cousin the Fitbit, the Zip is not rechargeable and uses a watch battery. The battery will last 4-6 months. On one hand I would prefer it to be rechargeable. On the other hand, it’s really great to not have an extra cord to deal with or have to remember to charge it.
Questions you may have about my Fitbit Zip Review.
What is the difference between the Fitbit One and the Fitbit Zip?
The Zip is less expensive than the One. The Zip doesn’t track sleep, floors climbed, or have an alarm. You can compare the Fitbit Zip to the Fitbit One side by side here.
How big is the Fitbit Zip?
It’s small but not so small that you worry about losing it. I also don’t have any trouble hiding it when I want to wear it but not see it.
Do you think the calorie burn is accurate?
I have never had my metabolism professionally tested so I can’t comment with certainty on its accuracy. I will say I think it is a very good estimate. My calories burned on the Zip (as long as I add my extra activities) are comparable to other activity trackers I have used. As always it’s most important to listen to your body over a device. If you are hungry then eat. If you are exhausted then rest no matter what a device says. I use the Fitbit Zip as it is intended as a motivational tool and it’s AWESOME! Most of my favorite activities are sedentary and the Zip gives me the motivation I need to get up and move more.
Fitbit Zip Giveaway
Here is the best part of my Fitbit Zip review!! You can win a Fitbit Zip to help you reach your New Year’s goals!!! Fitbit has generously offered to give one Zip away to a Girl Heroes reader.
You have up to 6 chances to win! To enter fill out the form below. (If you are on your phone it may take a few moments for the form to load.)
Giveaway open to US residents 18 and older only!
Have you ever used a Fitbit Zip or other activity tracker? What was your experience? Are you setting any fitness goals for 2013?
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
Keep up with my kettlebell workouts, real food recipes, and more in one of three ways! 1. Sign up to have posts emailed to your inbox. 2. Subscribe to the RSS Feed or 3. “like” Girl Heroes on Facebook. Simple dimple!
Journey with our family on the road at Newschool Nomads as we travel full time in RV through the United States!
Disclosure: I was provided a Fitbit Zip for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.
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Goal is to slowly cut down my calories and up my daily activity to lose those damn last five pounds!
Have always wanted to track my activity level being that I am often behind a desk.
I am pregnant right now and am limited to walking (driving me crazy!) so this would be a great way to track my activity.
I hurt my knee and am far less active. I would live to try this and see how much less active I am.
My New Year resolution is to start eating clean!!
I am a total homebody, so this would definitely motivate me to move more!
My goal is to exercise consistently, especially around holiday, birthdays, etc.
my goal is to not let working out and dancing completely fall by the wayside when grad school starts back up!
one of my goals in 2013 is to focus on eating and working out to be at my best health, instead of focusing on losing weight.
I hope to learn to be more calm and collected in the new year!
One of my goals for 2013 is to enjoy most of training for my second Ironman! It’s a lot of time, so I want it to be FUN!
I am going to loose 4% of my body weight in January.
My goal is to eat less sugar and to pay attention to which foods have added sugar. I wish I knew about the Fitbit before Christmas so I could have put it on my list.
This seems like a cool gadget – would love to use it to track my activity!
Lose a little bit of weight!
Would love to be able to track activity accurately! Also love that it syncs with MyFitnessPal.
Hi! Found this website from Meals and Moves! My goal is to qualify for Boston!
One goal is to have more fun!
I’ve done the pedometer thing on and off and it’s great to track your steps. My 2013 resolution is to finish an official half-marathon, then cross-train more. Normally it’s run, run and run some more. That half’s slated for March 30.
One of my goals for the new year is to start P90X and actually finish the whole thing!
I’ve really been wanting to try a fitbit!
Ooops. One of my NY goals is to run a marathon.
The fitbit zip sounds great. My goal for 2013 is to make health a priority every day. This includes some form of physical activity every day and getting back to a healthier diet most of the time. Life got really crazy in the fall, and walking was pretty much my only physical activity for several months. Long walks really helped me clear my mind and made me feel a lot better. I think it would have been fun and motivating to track how much I was walking.
Happy 2013!
I have never used the fitbit but would love to. It’ll help me to move more!
This would be a great way to start 2013 off right!
One of my goals is to dress nicer (like an “adult” on my days off) and another is to eat slower and enjoy the food I work so hard to make!
I want to eat cleaner, get fit & healthy, I would love to be the best ME possible
Drink more water and get back to regular working out.
My goal is just to stay healthy and run as much as I can!
Working out at least 3x a week!
I would love to have this to finally meet my goals!!!
Take more chances and take the time to feel the blessings that I already have.
Cut back on sodas!
My goal is to stop procrastinating and get things done.
I would Seriously Love to Wind this so I can Track my actiivity levels and get Healthier!
To keep on losing weight and adding more exercise into my daily routine.
I signed up for a 5K race in April!
lose ten pounds
One of my goals for this year is to eat healthier and to lose the 25lb. I gained. Thank you!
One of my goals for 2013 is to walk a half marathon in May.
eat healthy and stop extra sugar intake.
One of my goals is to stop being BROKE all the time!
To get healthier and stay away from GMO’s in my food by getting educated on where my food comes from. To ban companies who use them in my food!
One of my goals is to be more active and lose at least 20 pounds.
One of my goals is to eat less sugar and white flour and do some kind of exercise every day.
One of my goals is to cut back on the amount of “white” food that I eat (sugar, flour, etc.) and to do SOME sort of exercise
To eat more healthy
My goals are all based on my word for the year – Consistency
Thanks for the review on the Fitbit. I could really use this. My goal for 2013 is to eat healthier and lose a little weight.
To be a healthy role model for my 5 kiddos, family and friends.