The Battle Of The Fitness Trackers: FitBit Vs Nike+ FuelBand Vs Motorola MOTOACTV

I think that exercise and fitness are buzzwords that are way overused these days. Or maybe I only think that because I am too lazy not hip enough to engage in that lifestyle. What seems to be the trend is that people are buying more into the healthy lifestyle, and with that comes all sorts of gadgets that are supposed to make exercising more enjoyable and more efficient.

If you’re in the market for a fitness tracker, take a look at this quick comparison of the three biggest names today.

FitBit

FitBit

FitBit has gotten a lot of press for its full fitness tracking suite. “Get active, eat better, manage weight, and sleep better” – with those options, what else can a fitness enthusiast ask for?

Features

More than being a trailblazer in the fitness tracker arena, FitBit has continued to provide new options to its clients. There are currently three options: One, Ultra, and Zip. Depending on which one you opt for, your FitBit can track the following:

• Steps taken
• Calories burned
• Distance traveled
• Stairs climbed
• Hours slept
• Quality of sleep

Price

• FitBit Zip: $59.95
• FitBit One: $99.95
• FitBit Ultra: $99.95

Nike+ FuelBand

Nike+ FuelBand

If you prefer gadgets you can wear on your wrist, then the Nike+ FuelBand might suit you better, and to be honest, I like the design of this fitness much better than any of the FitBit options.

Features

The Nike+ FuelBand is coated in rubber, so you don’t have to worry getting your sweat all over it. Cleaning should be a breeze. The beauty of it is in the simple design, as well as its motivation system. If you’re a fan of gamification, then this system will work very well for you.

The idea is based on Nike’s “fuelpoints”, which you set as a goal for each day. Fuelpoints are actually based on the number of steps you take (hence, this fitness tracker basically monitors your steps). Just like FitBit, Nike has apps that can be used to monitor your progress at any time.

Price

This is where Nike has a disadvantage, at $149.

Motorola MOTOACTV

Motorola MOTOACTV

Here’s a newcomer to the scene, and it is getting quite some attention as well. The Motorola MOTOACTV is also worn on the wrist, but it looks very much like a watch. And, if compared to the two other fitness trackers, it is the least sleek of all.

Features

When it comes to features, however the Motorola MOTOACTV is quite impressive. In addition to the usual step and calories burned counter, this fitness tracker has tools to monitor other activities such as running, biking, and even using the elliptical machine! And here’s something that really got my attention: this gadget has an mp3 player as well. But that’s not the best thing – the device is  able to keep tabs on the tunes that motivate you to perform better and then creates a playlist out of them. For someone who simply cannot ride the exercise bike or use the stepper without music, this is a major consideration!

Price

Here’s the bummer: the Motorola MOTOACTV costs $249.

My Choice

IF – and that’s a big IF – I were to buy a fitness tracker, I would go for the Motorola MOTOACTV based on the features alone. However, if you’re really only after the tracking capabilities, and you don’t want to spend more than necessary, then any of the FitBit devices should do just fine. It looks to me though, that Nike is the straggler in this battle.

[Images via Swimmy.ca, Nike, MOTOACTV]