FitBit Flex Review

  If you have been interested in the fitness band market over the last few years, you will have no doubt heard of FitBit. The FitBit Zip and One were, arguably last year’s best fitness bands and the Flex and Force look set to continue that trend this year. I have been wearing the FitBit ...

Review Overview

Build Quality - 7.5
Features - 8.5
Mobile App - 9

8.3

Fit but Fugly

Summary : An Excellent all round device with a few design hiccups. If you want substance over style go for this.

8

 

If you have been interested in the fitness band market over the last few years, you will have no doubt heard of FitBit. The FitBit Zip and One were, arguably last year’s best fitness bands and the Flex and Force look set to continue that trend this year.

Cost and Where to Buy

Cost and Where to Buy

All of the FitBit range can be found at Amazon. The Flex is currently on sale for around £79.99

What's in the Box

What's in the Box

1x FitBit Flex Module
2x Wrist Band (1 Small, 1 Large)
1x USB Charging Cradle

I have been wearing the FitBit for the last few weeks and although I haven’t been hitting the gym with it I have been able to get a fix on how it can help you and I in our daily lives.

Lets take a look.

Build Quality

Build Quality

The Module itself is of very high quality. It really is a simple looking device with three pins at the bottom and a few LED at the top, the module is no bigger than a ballpoint pen lid. The module slides into the wrist strap underneath (you get two in the box, one small, one large) which allows the light to shine through.

The build quality of the straps is perhaps a little lacking, it seems to be a bit ragged around the edges to my eyes and the design feels bulky on the wrist compared to other devices out there. I found I caught the high topped band on my pockets when pulling out my keys and more than once managed to undo the strap by accident.

Features

Features

The Flex is as fully featured as you would want a fitness band to be. Although it isn’t “waterproof” it is water resistant and will work in the shower which is helpful as I forget to take it off when I get out of the gym. It also tracks your sleep pattern which I really enjoy. Most of the new bands do track your sleep but the Flex gives you some helpful metrics such as how many times you are restless and how many times you wake. By checking these stats you can try to adjust your sleep pattern and feel better each morning.

The Led on the front tell you in increments of 20% how close you are to completing your oal for the day and the FitBit app is a wealth of knowledge and really the best part of using a FitBit

Mobile App

Mobile App

If you have read my review of the Shine you will know that I felt it’s app was poor in comparison to the FitBit app and I still hold to that. The app that FitBit has made turns the Flex from a Fitness Band to a “Lifestyle Band” (More on my thoughts on that in a later article) and I think that’s what will give them a USP over other devices.

The Metrics this app gives you really are superb. Not only does it tell you the calories you have burned but if you put in the food and drink you have had that day it will tell you if you are burning fat or not. This is so helpful for those who don’t go to the gym and just want to use this in a daily way. It tells you how many steps you have taken of course, but it also tells you how many minutes you have been “very active” to help you think about increasing your heart rate to get a cardio workout. Add the sleep information and I believe you have the most well rounded app of any of the bands I have seen. I really do like this app.

Oh and you can also connect the FitBit through the web app to connect to other apps on your phone. I currently have it connected to MyFitnessPal as it has a barcode scanner for inputting food.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Overall the Flex is an excellent device. Not only does it track all the statistics that you expect from a fitness band it helps you, by using the app and other compatible apps to lead a healthier lifestyle regardless of your gym commitments. OK I think it’s a little big and ugly and would love to see some nicer design work but I think it will appeal to the demographic it is aimed at quite nicely.

About James Bricknell

Currently an Editor here at Land of Droid, I am also the Co-Host of the Techfoolery Podcast and contributing Editor at Land of Technology. I love technology and the effect it has on our lives.