FitBit

[Bad Zebra]

I've been using a FitBit since April 2014. I have the little one (not the wrist band) that I keep in my pants pocket during games. I think I paid about $50 for it. I actually use it as my possession arrow tracker. I have found that about 2200 steps equals a mile for me. A varsity boys game usually logs about 2.3 miles. I've been wearing it this summer for youth games on Saturday mornings. I've logged 12,000-14,000 steps over a 4 game stretch. It also estimates calories burned which is what I really purchased it for.

I don't know if it's actually helping me with my fitness level but I think it's a neat way to measure and maintain activity levels. Tracking is done with a smart phone app. I've got a couple fellow officials in my association that have bought them as well. You can actually "connect" to them and watch their progress along with your own through the app. IMO, it's a cool application of new technology. If it isn't actually improving my fitness level, it's at least helping me keep track and be aware of it.

[IAUMP]

I use the Garmin Vivofit, and kept it in my pocket during regular season games, but I have worn it on my wrist for the summer games. The number of steps shown in previous posts are similar to my results. I am interested to see what it will show for the upcoming football season.

Also, I where my celtic cross under my compression shirt for all games and nobody has ever noticed it was there.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by IAUMP

... my celtic cross under my compression shirt for all games.

Mine is tattooed on my right upper arm. It can't be seen when covered by a shirt sleeve on a shirt.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

. I have found that about 2200 steps equals a mile for me. A varsity boys game usually logs about 2.3 miles. I've been wearing it this summer for youth games on Saturday mornings. I've logged 12,000-14,000 steps over a 4 game stretch. It also estimates calories burned which is what I really purchased it for.

The one thing you have to be careful of when converting steps to distance is that the nature of the steps for an official is not likely to match those used to calibrate the distance. We take a lot of small adjustment steps as referees and they'll get counted the same as a full stride. It may well be 2.3 miles but I don't think you can rely on the distance....or for that matter the calories. They'll probably be overestimated.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

The one thing you have to be careful of when converting steps to distance is that the nature of the steps for an official is not likely to match those used to calibrate the distance. We take a lot of small adjustment steps as referees and they'll get counted the same as a full stride. It may well be 2.3 miles but I don't think you can rely on the distance....or for that matter the calories. They'll probably be overestimated.

I've found that my particular device tends to under report steps and distance. I can tell when I go for a run...one that I know for certain to be say...a mile or two (as measured by my vehicle odometer or google maps). If I note the beginning distance logged on my device and then again at the end, it will usually measure slightly less than a mile. I don't know if this is specific to my device or all FitBits in general but that's what I have consistently found since day 1. I'd rather it under report than overstate steps and distance.As for calories...meh...probably a vague estimation at best. I'm not as interested in those. I know it can vary widely by activity type.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I've found that my particular device tends to under report steps and distance. I can tell when I go for a run...one that I know for certain to be say...a mile or two (as measured by my vehicle odometer or google maps). If I note the beginning distance logged on my device and then again at the end, it will usually measure slightly less than a mile. I don't know if this is specific to my device or all FitBits in general but that's what I have consistently found since day 1. I'd rather it under report than overstate steps and distance.As for calories...meh...probably a vague estimation at best. I'm not as interested in those. I know it can vary widely by activity type.

Like basic pedometers before them, these newer devices can't calculate an accurate distance without first being programmed with an accurate length of your stride. Some higher end ones may use GPS for distance but GPS is typically not usable indoors and, even if you could get a GPS signal in a gym, I'm not sure it would work in the context of typical movements of a referee where distances moved might be a foot to the right then a foot back to the left. I'm not sure such subtle movement would register as movement at all with a GPS.

If yours, being used for straight line running, is always under the distance, then the stride length needs to be set to a higher value.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

...If yours, being used for straight lint running, is always under the distance, then the stride length needs to be set to a higher value.

This got me thinking...I never thought to check to see if there was a setting for stride length...there is. I'm going to adjust it tonight. I have 4 games Saturday...I'll report back the results Sunday.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I have 4 games Saturday...I'll report back the results Sunday.

Yeah - let us know how well the meds worked.

[BigCat]

i have the fitbit flex. it fits into a band. i put it in my pocket to referee. high school game is about 2.5 to 3 miles. 5,000 to 6,000 steps. college game usually 3.5 to 4.5 miles. 7 to 9,000 steps. ive been to the track and worn it walking. it was right on. one lap 525 steps.( they say a mile is about 2100 steps. )

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Yeah - let us know how well the meds worked.

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

This got me thinking...I never thought to check to see if there was a setting for stride length...there is. I'm going to adjust it tonight. I have 4 games Saturday...I'll report back the results Sunday.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

If yours, being used for straight line running, is always under the distance, then the stride length needs to be set to a higher value.

Four games averaged about 2.1 miles per game. I did in fact adjust the stride length to 2'9" based on the method FitBit reccommends to calculate stride length. While I was there, I noted that I have the FitBit Zip, the smallest device they make.

As far as meds Mark Padgett...a couple Advil and a foot soak did the trick. Not T's handed out and no Overtime (did have on 1 point game).