GoWear Fit versus the BodyBugg

I’ve had my GoWear Fit for less than twenty-four hours and I’m already blissfully impressed with this gadget of goodness. I’m sure I will come have those ‘I wish it had…’ or ‘I wish it did…’ moments, but for now, I stand thoroughly chuffed.

First of all, it was incredibly easy to set up. I pulled up the website, entered some information, popped the USB cable into the device (yes, it’s Mac compatible!) and let ‘er rip. The website said it normally takes up to three hours to charge, but it took half that.

Once the armband was charged, I synced my display watch (which can also be clipped to your clothing if you choose) in under ten seconds. I fully expected to run into a bout of utter annoyance when it came time to get the show on the road, but it was quick and easy. I couldn’t ask for a nicer set-up.

As far as the information-side is concerned, I was asked a series of questions which included the usual age, height, and goal weight and then some. I was given the choice between using their BMR calculations or entering the number of calories I average per day. Since I’ve been tracking my caloric intake and I’m pretty happy with my current routine, I decided to take that route. I eat roughly 1500 calories per day (M-Th = 1,400, F = 1600, Sa = 1,700, & Su = 1,500 comes out to be 1485 per day + overages).

Using this number (or the number it comes up with if you choose), it calculates the amount of calories I need to burn in order to lose 2lbs a week (2lbs is the max it lets you enter in terms of weekly weight-loss). In order to lose two pounds a week, I will need to burn 2,500 calories per day. It’s 10:30am and I’ve already burned 1,189 calories between sleeping, getting up this morning, and heading to work, so I’m thinking I might need to bump the cals up after all. I will use the rest of the week to see how I’m doing and adjust accordingly.

Anyhow! The device determines what you need to do to achieve your deficit goals. In order to burn 2,500 calories, I need to complete 30 minutes of moderate activity (who knew walking to and from the bus stop to work provide me with 25 minutes worth of moderate exercise?!), 30 minutes of vigorous activity (e.g. running), and 5000 steps. I can alter these goals by decreasing one type of activity level and increasing another, but I’m going to leave it for now.

Any time you reach a goal, the display beeps and tells you which goal you have achieved. During my workout yesterday, I achieved both the ‘step’ and ‘moderate activity’ goals. A sense of accomplishment washed over me.

I really like the idea of knowing my real BMR and how my body reacts to different types of activities. I’ve fallen into this mindset that the only type of exercise that counts is exercise that happens on a machine. Now that Spring is here and Summer is around the corner, I hope to be much more active outside. I’m interested to see how different types of ‘normal’ activities contribute to my calorie deficit so I can exit this mindset, enjoy the outdoors much more, and not ‘over do it’.

I’ve wanted a BodyBugg for a while, but could not bring myself to drop $350 on it. When I saw an advertisement for the GoWear (yes, I actually clicked an advertisement!) and saw that it was $100 cheaper, I decided to do some research. It seems like the BodyBugg and the GoWear Fit are almost (if not totally) identical. I’m thinking BodyMedia (which is the company that makes the GoWear Fit) licensed their product to Apex which in turn dubbed it the BodyBugg and licensed it to 24hour Fitness which scored a contract with the Biggest Loser. Not 100% sure, but the specifics are pretty much identical. Click here to compare the tech specs.

The GoWear Fit also tracks your sleep patterns which may provide insight when it comes to levels of activity and caloric intake. It’s an interesting feature that the BodyBugg lacks. The display watch doesn’t show this information, but I’m sure I will be presented with it once I upload my data.

After all is said and done, the GoWear Fit and BodyBugg cost about the same (the $249 price does not include the 6-month subscription to their website/activity manager which is an extra $41 for a total of $290 — roughly $68 cheaper than the Bugg). It might be worth mentioning that GoWear Fit’s monthly subscription fee (needed to access the ‘activity manager’ via their website) is a bit cheaper as compared to the Bugg’s.

So far, I give this puppy an A.

More updates to come as I learn more about it!