FitBit App, a companion to Fitbit activity trackers that also works as a stand-alone app

Staying active and fit plays a crucial role in maintaining your health. Whether you prefer running, cycling, hiking or any other activity, it may help you steer clear of certain conditions that could be prevented, such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Most people who are active use various fitness and activity trackers that not only monitor their progress and health stats, but also could help with motivation and goals.

Many of these trackers are available as mobile phone apps for both Android and iOS, or as fitness gadgets you can simply strap to your wrist and let them track you progress. These gadgets are usually accompanied with a mobile app that helps with stats and data.

One of the best known and most used tools is FitBit tracker, or perhaps I should say trackers, because FitBit currently sells 13 wristband and clip-on trackers, named Charge 2, Surge, Blaze, Alta, One, Zip, Flex 2, and so on. The devices also come with a USB dongle, to sync data to the account via Fitbit Connect.

Alongside its trackers, Fitbit also offers a website and a mobile app for Android and iOS that can be used as companions to one of the Fitbit Trackers. 

However, the mobile app can be also used as a stand-alone app that allows even those users who don't own FitBit device to log their activities, calories and weight, to track their progress over time, or set daily and weekly goals, such as step count, calories burned and consumed, distance walked, etc.

Either way you choose, you'll have to create an account and verify your email address in order to use FitBit app. 

Before registration and login, the app will ask you to pair the app with the tracker you use, which works quite easily. If you don't have the device, don't worry. Just select the bottom option 'No FitBit Yet?' and proceed to giving out more details about yourself, such as height, weight, and gender.

After you're done with data entry and registration, you will be taken to the main screen that features Dashboard with your personalized data and plan. Here you can see calories burned today, or to track exercise, weight, and water and food intake.

If you tap on calories, the new screen will open showing the calorie tracker for the current week. Previous days weeks are also shown with default entry, which is 1,693 calories each day. I think this part is unnecessary and it should be left empty, allowing users to start from the scratch.

Anyway, you'd notice that the today's number of calories burned changes, even if your phone stands still on your desk. FitBit app actually tracks total calories, including those burned while sitting or sleeping. To learn more about how this work, tap on the Learn More link that would take you to the FitBit website.

One of the most important features is certainly an option to track your exercise. If you tap on the 'Track Your Exercise' option on the Dashboard you'll be taken to the screen showing your progress and weekly exercise goals, which are 5 days per week by default. 

To start tracking the exercise, simply tap on stopwatch icon to initiate tracker that uses GPS to access your location. You can also add some music. For example, if you use iPhone, the FitBit app can be enabled to access iTunes, allowing you to add some music you listen while exercising.

Taping on weight icon opens a weight log allowing you to set your goals, i.e. whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain your weight.

The app also allows you to log how much water and food you consume, meaning it will remind you to stay hydrated as well as aware of calorie intake.

Adding food is simple thanks to the intuitive search option that uses auto-complete option as you type, and provides results with detailed information about ingredients, servings and calorie count. 

Of course, users can also add custom food, which means they also need to enter serving sizes and calories. This is simplified by utilizing phone camera to scan barcodes from the food packages.

FitBit app also includes various Adventures and Challenges you can participate in. While adventures are non-competitive virtual solo experiences for one person, Challenges encourage you to move more by competing with your friends and family.

The social aspect is important part of FitBit app, which allows you to add your friends and family to help you reach your goals by joining to your fitness challenges, seeing your stats you shared with them, using direct messaging, and competing with you on leaderboards.

You can also get guidance by installing Fitstar personal trainer that provides you with personalized video workouts.

The Fitbit app has a very clean and intuitive design that's easy to navigate. However, keep in mind that it requires Internet connection in order to track your activity.

Whether you want to track your activity and calories, or to use it to bring out your competitive nature, Fitbit app is very good tool for that, mostly because it's simple and straightforward. However, although it can be used without one of the FitBit devices, it provides a better experience if used with one.

Benefit: Everyone who needs simple fitness tracker app, especially as a companion to wristwatch or clip-on trackers