I've just started commuting to work by bike after a long time of taking public transit (biking wasn't feasible). I bought the bike a couple days ago and have been biking about 5 miles each way to work -- I'm already feeling more in shape. Anyway, this is fairly encouraging and I'd like to keep track of what I'm doing. I like seeing data visualized and I think that'll help me stay motivated beyond the initial momentum.
I've read some reviews and articles about Fitbit, which is a pedometer with some extra features. It really seems like a cool gadget that logs how many steps you take and uploads it to a web tool that visualizes the data. It also comes with a bunch of social and game elements (e.g. badges). So it's great for jogging/running. (For sake of completeness, you can also add information like weight in the online app, or buy wifi scales that automatically log the information for you. And it tracks your sleep, although I currently do that with the free SleepBot app for Android.) Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to handle cycling at all and instead asks you to manually input that data into their website. Boo for manual input.
For now, I have a free Android app (Strava Cycling) that tracks how fast I'm going and my route on a map. This is pretty cool, but it doesn't integrate into any other wellness app. It seems designed around beating others' time (e.g. racing) rather than general fitness.
Like probably just about anyone on this board, I'm a tech geek who loves all sorts of gadgets. I figure I should take my health at least as seriously and geek it up a bit as well.
Are there any devices more suited for people who do cycling? Should I get a Fitbit even though walking is not my primary method of exercise? I do walk quite a bit and I always take the stairs... I just don't see how that information would be valuable for tracking my health. I have a scale and could manually input my weight to get a more complete picture. Not sure I want to spend $120 to have that automated and from what I understand the body fat tracking of scales is pretty inaccurate.
I've read some reviews and articles about Fitbit, which is a pedometer with some extra features. It really seems like a cool gadget that logs how many steps you take and uploads it to a web tool that visualizes the data. It also comes with a bunch of social and game elements (e.g. badges). So it's great for jogging/running. (For sake of completeness, you can also add information like weight in the online app, or buy wifi scales that automatically log the information for you. And it tracks your sleep, although I currently do that with the free SleepBot app for Android.) Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to handle cycling at all and instead asks you to manually input that data into their website. Boo for manual input.
For now, I have a free Android app (Strava Cycling) that tracks how fast I'm going and my route on a map. This is pretty cool, but it doesn't integrate into any other wellness app. It seems designed around beating others' time (e.g. racing) rather than general fitness.
Like probably just about anyone on this board, I'm a tech geek who loves all sorts of gadgets. I figure I should take my health at least as seriously and geek it up a bit as well.
Are there any devices more suited for people who do cycling? Should I get a Fitbit even though walking is not my primary method of exercise? I do walk quite a bit and I always take the stairs... I just don't see how that information would be valuable for tracking my health. I have a scale and could manually input my weight to get a more complete picture. Not sure I want to spend $120 to have that automated and from what I understand the body fat tracking of scales is pretty inaccurate.
