Tech

Fitbit Flex 2 Review: Motivation for a Healthier & Happier Life Right Now

Are you looking for a new technology device which can actually improve and enhance your life?

Well, the Fitbit Flex 2 is designed with that sole purpose in mind. In fact, it's created and engineered to monitor your health and fitness while jumping in during times when you need a little more motivation. The best part? -- It’s suitable for everyone! Let’s take a look at the history of the brand and why exactly you need one of these in your life.

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Credit: Amazon


A Bit About the Fitbit Flex 2

It doesn't matter who you are, sometimes we all need that extra push to get up and get moving. If you're looking to lose some weight or just become a bit more active, the Fitbit Flex 2 is the perfect solution for this. Let's find out about the brand and who this product is wonderful for.

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Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Fitbit's Background

Fitbit is headquartered in California and sells activity trackers and wearable technology devices to measure fitness data. The founders, Eric and James, realized that wireless technology had advanced into the fitness and health industry. In 2007, the founders began a journey to create a wearable product which could change the way people moved. The first product they ever released was the Fitbit Tracker.

Since their beginning, the company have introduced numerous fitness trackers to target different audiences and provide alternative features to a wide spectrum of people. In fact, Fitbit have won many awards, including ranking at 37 out of the 50 most innovative companies in 2016. They also landed a runner-up prize at TechCrunch50 in 2008.

Amazingly, a Fitbit actually helped to solve a murder in 2015. A man murdered his wife and framed the situation, telling the police that an intruder had broken into their home and shot his wife. However, her Fitbit tracker showed that she was at home at the time she was supposedly at the gym. Using her Fitbit data, analysts proved the husband’s story was false.

Beyond this though, the company is dedicated to designing health and fitness products which transform people’s lives. They believe that reaching your goals should feel possible, helping you feel empowered and strong along the way. 

Who is the Fitbit Flex 2 Great For?

The Fitbit Flex 2 is a great fitness device for people who need some additional health and fitness motivation. However, it’s also suitable for fitness advocates who want to see their fitness data in order to improve. If you’re someone who’s looking to push themselves when working out and wants to improve their form and results, the Fitbit Flex 2 is a great product for you.

This device is smaller than previous models, which is great if you’re looking for a basic version which you can wear daily. The band is narrow to contour the wrist snuggly, and is made of more supple materials than previously. Consequently, it’s great for anyone searching for an elegant design which doesn’t look too obvious. You can wear it in the gym, whilst sleeping and even at your local bar, without looking out of place.

Designed for functionality and an attractive appeal, it’s the ultimate solution for a fitness tracker which looks like jewelry. The bands are less plain than they used to be, so it doesn’t feel coarse against your skin. So, anyone wearing it doesn’t need to worry that it’ll be uncomfortable and irritating after a few hours. You can even customize the bands to suit your outfit each time.

What Are The Best Uses for the Fitbit Flex 2?

Using the Fitbit Flex 2 is easier than competitive fitness trackers. For the ultimate use of this device, we recommend informing the app which wrist you’re wearing it on, since extra movement can impact your records. Put the wristband so that the coloured LED light is closest to the outside of your wrist. Make sure that the tracker isn’t constricting on the wrist, as this can restrict blood flow. However, it shouldn’t be so loose that it doesn’t recognize each step.

The best use for this device is to create daily goals suited to your lifestyle. When you are setting it up, determine where you are in your health journey and where you’d like to be at. The Personal Goal Setting helps you set realistic and achievable targets around exercise, sleep, diet, weight and even daily steps. If there are ever any changes to your weight or health, ensure that you communicate this with your app for the most accurate readings possible each day.

We love that you can set a sleep goal and a sleep schedule. Scheduling a 30-minute alert before your bedtime target helps you to maintain a consistent sleep pattern each night. Experts found that this may benefit your health and improve your mood the following day.


Features & Benefits of The Fitbit Flex 2

The Fitbit Flex 2 received an immense amount of positive feedback during its launch, and we’re not surprised why. This device arrived in late 2016, and added more customization and water resistance qualities compared to previous models. All of this is squashed into a smaller band which some say is more practical for daily use.

1. Activity Checking

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Credit: Amazon

The Fitbit Flex 2 features an all-day tracking system for a variety of activities. This includes: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hourly activity and even how much time you’ve remained stationary. Naturally, this is one of the best features of this product and the main reason people purchase it.

Specifically, the Fitbit accurately counts how many steps you achieve each day. It also sets friendly reminders to encourage you to get up and move once an hour. As many of us lead a sedentary life, this is a motivational feature to get your heart beating and give you the chance to burn some extra calories each day. Also, by presenting how many hours you’ve actively moved each day, you can reflect on this using the data charts presented to you in the app. As the Fitbit Flex 2 also informs of how much time you haven’t moved each day, this is excellent motivation to improve your fitness for the following days.

This device accurately calculates how many calories you burn during exercise, movement and just according to your body size. Consequently, you can monitor how hard you’re working during vigorous exercise to improve your fitness/weight-loss goals. Subsequently, you can even input the type of exercise you’re undoing for an even more accurate read. For example, this includes: aerobics, cardio, weights etc.

2. Smartphone Notifications

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Credit: Amazon

Another of our favourite features of the Fitbit Flex 2 is that it automatically receives smartphone notifications. Get call and text notifications at your wrist each time someone tries to contact you. With a unique vibration pattern and colour-coded LED lights for calls and texts, you can easily differentiate between the two.

This is a great feature of the device because it reduces the amount of time you check your phone for messages. It’s also a handy method to receive a notification without having your phone to hand.

By having smartphone notifications, it enables you to get on with your day and workouts, without having your phone right next to you. Although you can’t reply to texts or answer calls from the Fitbit Flex 2, if the call is important enough, you can stop what you’re doing and proceed to respond.

3. It’s Water-resistant

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Credit: Amazon

Unlike previous Fitbit products, the Fitbit Flex 2 is water-resistant. Consequently, you can wear it in the shower, pool or ocean with up to 164 feet (50 meters) of water. This amazing feature means that you don’t have to take your watch off when you’re showering or washing the dishes. As a result, you can constantly track your fitness activity all day, every day, without even taking it off.

We recommend installing the Fitbit mobile app if you enjoy swim workouts. The app automatically detects swimming after 15 minutes, although you can change this setting. It’ll then calculate the number of lengths you swam during your workouts, as well as including additional details such as calories burned and the amount of time you swam. Many past users confidently said that this accurate records swimming workout data. There are certain limitations in which it’ll work in water. For example, we don’t recommend harsh water temperatures, or placing it near water jets.

4. Sleep Tracking and Silent Alarm

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Credit: Fitbit

The Fitbit Flex 2 automatically tracks your sleep quality when you wear it overnight. Instead of taking it off before bedtime, keep it on to analyze your sleeping pattern each night. This is a great feature because you can see how much sleep you are actually getting each time to encourage yourself to get up early or hit the sack earlier.

This device records different sleep stages. This includes light and deep sleep. When there’s less brain activity then REM sleep and non-rapid eye movement, you’ll be in and out of light and deep sleep. REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) is a stage in which you experience vivid dreams, and this stage is typically longer as the night goes on. The Fitbit Flex 2 measures each sleep stages using a software to detect brain activity in addition to eye and muscle activity. When you haven’t moved in around an hour, the tracker assumes you’re asleep. Additional data, such as rolling over and the time you move confirms if you’re asleep or not. Whilst you’re asleep, the device tracks your heartbeat, which regularly fluctuates as you transition between the different stages of sleep.

Sync your device in the morning to look at your sleep cycles from previous nights. The published data shows how your sleep stage compares to other nights and compared to other people with a similar age range.

5. Specifications

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Credit: Fitbit

The Fitbit Flex 2 comes with a removable tracker and two classic wristbands (in small and large), plus a charging cable. You can customize its appearance to your preferences and tastes. The LED display with five indicator lights is a stylish screen to see your fitness activity and calls and texts on your screen. Simply tap the screen twice to see your progress against your main goals so you can see if you’re on track for your daily goals.

With a battery life of up to five days, it’s a great device to wear on a daily basis without taking it off each day. It only takes around one to two hours to fully charge, so you can give it a boost during your rest days. Of course, this battery life depends on your activity and how much time you spend on the device.

As for memory, the Fitbit Flex 2 saves seven days of detailed motion data minute by minute and saves daily totals for the past 30 days. We love this feature because it ensures that you can reach your past data without it taking up too much storage space on your phone.

The Fitbit Flex 2 wristband is made from a flexible, durable material similar to that used in sports watches. It also has a surgical-grade stainless steel clasp and comes in a modern design. Using Bluetooth wireless technology, the Fitbit sends smartphone notifications and syncs automatically to computers and over 200+ mobile devices.

6. SmartTrack

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Credit: Fitbit

The Fitbit Flex 2 automatically recognizes select activities and records them in the exercise section of the Fitbit app. Specifically, it recognizes: walking, running, outdoor biking, elliptical and swimming. It does this by categorizing the activity into sport or aerobic workout. For sport, this includes high-movement sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis and more. For aerobic workout, this includes activities with continuous movement, such as dancing, cardio-kickboxing, Zumba and more.

Look at your Fitbit app dashboard afterwards to see your exercise history, and look into how many calories you burned and duration. However, distance and pace aren’t included. If you’d prefer, you can stop your device from automatically recognizing your exercise types. For example, turn off the Swim recognization when you’re not at the pool so you can preserve battery life. If you find that your Fitbit Flex 2 mistakes movements as exercise, you can turn off this automatic recognition. It’ll recognize any exercise which lasts for at least 15 minutes. You can adjust this time to 10 minutes, or increase it to up to 90 minutes.

7. Thin and Light Design

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Credit: Fitbit

The Fitbit Flex 2 is thin, light and 30 percent smaller than the first Fitbit model. It’s a great option for those who are looking for a fitness band which isn’t as large as traditional smartwatches. As it’s small and dainty, it looks similar more like an elegant bracelet, which doesn’t get in the way. As it’s slim and comfortable, it’s a great device to wear daily and is even small enough to wear with a watch alongside without looking like you’re wearing too much jewelry.

The band is around one centimeter wide and the width is more-or-less the same across the entire tracker. However, the make-up of the Fitbit Flex 2 is the same as before. But it does come in a small and sleeker package. You can replace the bands and get versions which are more colourful and exciting than the one it comes with. These rubbery straps add flexibility and durability to the watch, so you can move your wrist around without even feeling like you’re wearing one.  


What Users Have to Say About Fitbit Flex 2

Most comments surrounding the Fitbit Flex 2 focus on how it motivates them to exercise and get up and move around. Many even commented that it focused them to sleep better and get enough rest at night. The main reason people might purchase this particular Fitbit model is because it’s a fitness tracker which resembles a bracelet. At the same time, it’s successful at measuring sleep and workouts activities.

PROS:

  • plus
    Waterproof and works extremely well
  • plus
    Accurate calorie tracking
  • plus
    Resembles a bracelet, and is thin and stylish

CONS:

  • close
    No on-screen data to check throughout the day
  • Battery doesn’t last as long as previous models

Some may be disappointed that the Fitbit Flex 2 doesn’t have a screen like other trackers. As such, you’re can’t familiarize yourself with your activity throughout the day. On the other hand, this is because this model targets a different user type, and it does sync automatically for the app for you to regularly check. If you’re wondering how it reminds you to move, it comes in a vibration mode or light. This is similar to previous Fitbits, but without the additional on-screen text.  


Alternative Fitness Trackers to Consider

If you’re looking for an alternative product to the Fitbit Flex 2, we’ve found some excellent devices which offer some additional features. Let’s take a look at three of our best findings…

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Credit: Amazon

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker with a screen, then the Fitbit Charge 2 might be a suitable alternative for you. Similar to its sister Fitbit Flex 2, this previous version provides an excellent understanding of your fitness level so you can see how you might need to improve over time. We love the additional connected GPS function during run mode to see real-time stats, such as pace and the distance. As it doesn’t offer as many features as the Fitbit Flex 2 – such as water-resistance, it’s battery life lasts a lot longer.

The OLED display helps you to read texts and calendar notifications unlike the Fitbit Flex 2. You also have the option of reading data on the go, instead of waiting for the analytics to sync to the app. This device is also more suited to athletes. If you like to track your data instantly and monitor your heart rate whilst you’re working out, you’ll love this device. It accurately and instantly reacts to location of device, heart rate, step counts and calories burned. Keep on track throughout the day by regularly checking the data on your wrist. This device also looks like the part, unlike a dainty accessory.

Credit: Amazon

The Aneken fitness tracker offers you the abilities of a Fitbit at a more affordable cost and then some. If you are looking to keep track of your activity level all while monitoring your health, this wrist device will give you what you have been looking for. Capable of operating for 6-8 days on just a single charge of the battery, this tracker watch is especially useful to those who wish to keep an eye on their heart rate, which the device will automatically keep track of so you can share the data with your doctor if you have concerns. It also monitors your sleeping data so you can work to improve the quality of your slumber. 

In addition, the device can alert you to phone calls and texts once you connect it via Bluetooth, so you'll never miss a call again, and provides social media notifications as well. You also don't have to worry about getting it wet because it is sealed by the highest level IP68 waterproof material. Just understand that it won't be able to monitor your heart rate while under water. And it comes with a clear viewing screen with the perfect brightness so that you can look at your tracker watch despite bright sunlight or the dark of night.

Compatible with Bluetooth 4.0, IOS 7.1 or above and Android 4.4 or above, this device comes with a 60 day money back guarantee and a two year warranty complete with lifetime technical support. 

Perfect for men, women and kids, this watch is like having multiple devices in one on your wrist at all times. And, again, it's one of the most inexpensive options on the market, so you're getting a lot for your hard-earned money.

3. LYOU Fitness Tracker

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Credit: Amazon

This multi-function fitness tracker comes with a variety of functions which can track your daily activities, at a cheaper price to the Fitbit Flex 2. In addition to an alarm clock alert, it also features a low-battery reminder, anti-lost alert and remote camera control compared to the Fitbit Flex 2. These are useful features if you’re prone to losing your devices. We love that the app supports a variety of smartphones with Bluetooth, though their friendly customer service will always assist if you encounter any compatibility problems.

The control feature enables you to control the phone shutter to take pictures, as well as tap the screen to switch to the next song. This is particularly useful if you enjoy listening to music whilst working out. As such, you can continue exercising and alter your playlist. Also, the real-time vibration reminder is a lot more accurate than the Fitbit Flex 2, with no delays between texts and a notification.


Would You Purchase the Fitbit Flex 2?

After reading the features and benefits of owning a Fitbit Flex 2, are you interested in purchasing one? When setting it up, it will flash and vibrate to greet you. The top light changes colour several times before continuously flashing blue. When you put the tracker in the wristband and pair it to your phone, all five lights flash until you’re promoted to tap the tracker. It’s that simple to pair it to your phone.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this fitness tracker. Leave a comment to keep this conversation going.

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