FitBit: The New Gym Buddy

Gyms and weight loss programs are abundant throughout America, captivating individuals with prospects of a slimmer waist line or a chiseled new six-pack. It only makes sense then that companies have been trying to market new products that sync with smartphone to give detailed reports on health. Enter the FitBit, alongside a slew of other new products that track steps taken, calculate calories burned, and analyze your sleep habits. All of this is displayed with friendly graphs and charts.

Although other solutions exist, the FitBit is perhaps the most mainstream health tracker on the market today. It comes in multiple varieties in the form of a wristlet and a clip, and all models have the same features. With a small and stylish profile, the FitBit makes a great companion for one as they go about their daily duties, helping put into perspective just how much exercise they are doing.

It will track steps throughout the day and analyzes sleep at night seamlessly. FitBits also sync up with smartphones via bluetooth, helping alleviate the hassle of the user having to remember to do so. Users can then log in on the FitBit website - yes, accounts are required - and view their results.

The graphs are elegant, converting steps into miles walked and stairs climbed. Users can also learn times where they were 'very active'. It may or may not be common knowledge, but most individuals must remain 'very active' for 30 minutes per day, usually at one time. The FitBit will track this information, and can give a timetable for those moments of the day.

"I love my FitBit! My mom got it for me as a Christmas present, and at first it seemed kind of weird for a gift, but I really liked it," said Alexa Moore, a senior English major. "I normally wear it all day long, and it's pretty accurate, especially with the sleep tracker. It'll tell you times at night when you were restless or awake. Mine just broke recently, but I'm definitely going to buy another."

FItBits are a novel idea in helping motivate others to reach new fitness goals. In the case of the Flex, one of two wristlets available, users receive a small little vibration when they've neared their goal. This same vibration technology can wake users in the early morning with a silent alarm. Exercise is a necessary end - or evil, for some - for achieving academic excellence. Using the FitBit to meet these goals can make them that much more reachable.

There are a few downsides to note with the FitBit, however. The most recent model, the Force, is a wristlet that sports an LCD screen unlike the Flex. It was recently recalled by the company due to an issue with inducing rashes, something that the other products have not been reported to do, though. None of the FitBits have the ability to monitor one's heart rate, which for many is a critical feature. Out of all activity trackers on the market today, only the Garmin Vivofit has this ability.

All in all, the FitBit is a surefire way to jumpstart that New Year's resolution. The one thought of three months ago when exercising seemed like a great idea, but eventually got teetered out and the lethargy blamed on the cold weather. Yeah, that resolution. Even if that isn't the reason for exercising, give it a glance today, and maybe start flexing just a bit more.