Has anybody rented the bodybugg?

If so, can you tell me where and how much?

Did you like it?

The BodyBugg ties into the FitLinxx program that they use at my gym (YMCA).  I saw it mentioned but haven't heard of anyone using it. 

I'm curious also to hear from anyone who has used it.

bump

Hey Everyone,

I bought my BodyBugg online through 24 hour fitness.  I paid $280 and that included the armband and the watch display (and tax & shipping).  I have been using it religiously since January 15th and since then I have gone from 164 pounds to 152 pounds (I'm 5'6" and Female).  I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my BodyBugg.  It's the missing link to the calorie count website... I keep track of the calories I put in and the BB tracks the calories I'm putting out.  I wear it all day long, even sitting at my desk at work.  At night, I can upload the data to my computer but I have found that the digital display tells me everything I need to know.  Wearing it has encouraged me to start running (because it burns more calories than walking) and I have signed up for my first 10 mile race this April.  I know it is expensive, but to me it is so worth it.  After having it, I would gladly pay $1,000 dollars for it.  I have never been in this good of shape in my whole life, and it feels good. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks, Ash~!!!

That is a glowing endorsement.  But how did body bugg's burn numbers compare to the numbers you had been estimating before?

I would like to know because, if one can estimate their burn reasonably well, then I will quit craving the body bugg!  lol

Hmmmm.......  A monthly fee?  Maybe that's why I didn't get it when I researched it last year!  I did; however, buy a nice Polar HRM to use along with my pedometer.

"....the Bodybugg ($249 for the device, plus a recurring monthly fee) acts as the CIA, surreptitiously monitoring my caloric burn. The Bodybugg is a collection of sensors that measure such things as motion, body heat and sweat 32 times per second, then run the data through an algorithm. The company says the calorie estimate is better than 90% accurate. I also recommend getting the optional digital display wristband ($100), which syncs to the Bodybugg and gives you a read on calories burned so far, how many steps you've taken and other real-time data."

Source:  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1881991,00.html

CC estimates for timed exercise is pretty close to what the BodyBugg estimates for the activity BUT what CC can't estimate is how active you are while you are not exercising.  For example, everytime I get up to go to the kitchen to refill my water bottle, I burn 10 calories instead of the 2 I would have burned from just sitting at my desk.  Wearing the BodyBugg allows you to count each calorie you burn, and not just the exercise ones.  When it comes to restricting calories to lose weight, even 100 calories can make a huge difference in the amount of food you are allowed to eat.  If you don't count the calories you burn walking to and from your car, you aren't counting accurately (well accurately enough IMO)...

Also, wearing the BB encourages me to get up every couple of hours to walk around the block becuase I know at the end of the day each 5 minute walk will add up!

Also, you do not necessarily need to use the computer to get the most out of the Bugg.  You can charge it without the computer program, and you can reset the memory (only holds 2 weeks of data) by taking out the battery and putting it back in.  I personally only upload the data to clear the memory, once my 6 month subscription runs out, I will not be renewing it.

I just heard of this thing today... I think the idea is great and might be worth saving up to buy one.  I just don't know about the monthly service cost.  I think I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they offered a super basic - here's how many calories you burned subscription.  I can still track my consumed calories here on CC so it seems excessive to pay $10+ per month for the subscription.  I think mainly that I have about 70ish lbs to lose still and I'm pretty sure it will take me longer than 6 months.  I think $250-350 is enough to shell out for this thing without having the extra subscription part.

I really really like the idea and everything I've read about it, though.  I set myself to sedentary on here and the only things I log are my workouts, my time at work and the estimated calories that I burn by nursing my baby.  I have young kids though and so I know there are lots of calories I'm burning and not tracking.  I'd love to have an accurate count so I can be sure and eat accordingly.

Maybe I'll email them a suggestion - I'm sure they have heard it before, so it can't hurt to get those requests in.  Maybe if they get enough they will consider offering a barebones service for free that just shows an accurate count of calories.  I know they have the watch that displays it but it's $100 more... I think it's kinda lame to price a product so high to begin with, and then you either have to pay a monthly fee or an extra $100 just to retrieve the information that the product is collecting.

A standard heart rate monitor (I have a polar F4) can give you good information on what you burn the rest of the time and it's a far cheaper investment.

I bought a polar F11 and an F7 for my son, we both love the fact that it tells you how many calories it burns and keeps track of heart rate etc. It is very close to the CC activity calculator but i tend to be a little neurotic when it comes to numbers so the F11 fixes that issue with me. Anyway I LOVE MY F11

Ayda

I'm not sure if they are still running the deal I got but I paid $250 for the Bugg, the display, and a 6 month subscription.  Totally worth it.

I rented the bodybugg from http://www.focusedfitnesslifestyle.com/bodybu gg.htm

After having it for almost two weeks I decided I do not need to buy one.  It has been very eye opening though.  I thought I was burning alot more calories doing my circuit training type DVD's (Jillian MIchaels No More Trouble Zones etc) and I am not.   It is quite a challenge for me to get up to the recommended 10k steps per day (I have a desk job).  It has really motivated me to stay active and try and meet my calorie burning goals. I did also learn that without extra exercise I do not meet my supposed BMRx1.2 for sedentary calorie burn (am off by about 100 calories not much but it adds up when calculating deficits). That must mean I have a slow metabolism or am less than sedentary??

I think it is a useful tool and it has really motivated me to get my steps in but after a week I know what it takes to get there.  The biggest down side is the food journaling on their website, I currently use the Daily Plate on Livestrong.com which is excellent.  The Body Bugg website is very cumbersome and has limited foods, half the time I have to guess which one is closest to what I ate and as you know foods can vary so much by brand etc.    I finally just stopped logging my food on the Bodybugg website and just compare my calories burned to my calories eaten on Livestrong and left it at that.

I don't use the website at all.  I track my calories on this website. I do agree with you that it is cumbersome.  Actually it kinda sucks in general.

On days that I do not wear my Body Bugg, I simply don't move as much.  Wearing it reminds me constantly that I should be walking on my breaks rather than eating at my desk.  Personally, I don't want that reminder to go away.

I agree w the Polar Heart Monitor as a good tool, as well.

I was able to buy one used locally with the watch, but I can't seem to get it set up.  I'm not interested in the online service since I can view everything I need via the watch.  I'm not sure what to do at this point, when I try to use the watch it tells me that the arm band is not set up, but I can't figure out how to get it set up. there doesn't seem to be any software for it.   =(

When you rent it, do they set it up with your stats before sending you off with it?

princesslba,

As far as the renting goes.  Once I put it in my cart and pay for it, how long does it take to get it?  when does the week begin and end?  Do you have to pay to send it back to them?

Thanks!