Why I Bought the Fitbit Air#
It has been about 10 years since I have owned any Fitbit device. Back then it was the Fitbit Flex witch just like the Fitbit Air is also a screenless device. For the past 4 years I have been using an Apple Watch SE with an iPhone 13 mini. However, the battery on that phone was pore to begin with and after 4 years it was awful. I wanted to go back too Android and bought a Google Pixel 9a. But, I really mist the fitness tracking so after a few months I bought a used iPhone 13 to get my fitness tracking back.
Sadly, I quickly remembered why I wanted to go back too Android. So after a few month I went back to the Google Pixel 9a again and bought a Garmin Forerunner 255 on sale to get the fitness tracking. I used the setup for a few weeks and in those weeks I discovered Google Health. I don’t know with it is about Google Health but it really clicked with me. I really like the interface of Google Health and I really do not like the Garmin Connect. Sadly the Garmin watch only shares some metrics with Google Health.
So, I started looking at first party options and quickly found the just released Fitbit Air. It was not even available in Denmark. However, after watching and reading a lot of reviews I got really, really excited.
Why? Because I have been aware of the Whoop band for a long time. I really liked the idea of a simple screenless fitness band like the Fitbit Flex I used to have but with all the sensors of a modern smartwatch. The Whoop was never an option for me. It is simply too expensive. But, just about every review I read and watch compared the Fitbit air to the Whoop and positions it as a “Poor mans” Whoop. Just the device I wanted. Therefor, a week or so later, when it became available in Denmark I ordered it.
Hardware#
First Impressions.#
There is not much in the box. Just the Fitbit itself already in the band, a USB-C charge cable, and some paperwork that’s it. No charging brick. Which is to be expected these days. I got a Fitbit Air with a pretty blue fabric and Velcro band that is quite comfortable to wear. I used a similar band om my Apple Watch so I am quite familiar with the pros and cons of that type of band.
The first thing I noticed is just how lite it is. The whole device with band is just about 12 grams. Having worn the Apple Watch for years the difference in weight and size is noticeable and very welcome. The Band is a little awkward to put on at first. But, after a few times I got the hang of it and then it was easy enough.
After Four Weeks of Usage#
One funny thing in my opinion the band is best worn the other way around as supposed to all image shows. On all images the band worn where the metal clasp is facing away from the body. Because of how the band loops around the metal clasp it naturally wants to turn around the wrist in that direction. Making the Fitbit Air very difficult to keep in the correct placement unless it is very snug.
This is almost entirely solved by wearing the band the other way around. Where the metal clasp is facing toward the body (same side as the thumb). Wearing it this way sort of counteract the forces of wanting to turn and the Fitbit Air stays in the correct position without it having to be really tight
When the fabric band gets dirty it looks dirty. This is properly in part because band the I have is a light blue. Therefor, dirt shows a lot more compared to if the band had been dark grey or black. And in part because I am a very active person. I have an active day-job and I do a lot of fitness. In other words, I have to clean my band about once a week. Which is properly a good idea anyway all things considered.
As promised by Google the battery last about a week. I charge it every Saturday after going to the gym. It usually have about 20% left at that point. And I find it charges fairly quickly.
Software#
Google Health#
Since the Fitbit Air don’t have any screen a lot of the experience comes from the Fitbit app or Google Health as it now called. I have little to no memory of the Fitbit app from 10 years ago and I have no experience with the app just before it was replaced by Google Health. So, I can’t tell you pros and cons between the two. What I can tell you, is that I really like Google Health. It is a very new app and there are absolutely room for improvement. But, even as it is today I like it a lot.
The home screen gives an excellent overview of various metrics and can be customized and moved around so that you get the information where you want it. This is also one of the areas where there are room for improvements. As of this writing moving the boxes around sucks because there are no drag and drop. So one have to first remove a box and then add a box and hope it land in the desired place.
Google Health Premium (AI Coach)#
My Fitbit Air came with a “free” three months subscription to Google Health Premium. So, I have an AI coach now helping me to reach my goals which is a lot more helpful and fun then I thought it would be. I might actually continue the subscription when the three month are up. We will see when that time comes.
Anyway, I told the AI coach that I was using the dedicated app Fitbod for strength training but I wanted it to create me a couch to 5k running program. It created me a running program and let Fitbod handle my strength training. Even though, the AI coach is not handling my strength training sessions. It still keeps track of them because Fitbod shares the training passes with Google Health.
Every morning, it gives me a summery of my sleep and gives some pointers to whether or not it thinks I am rested enough or ready to do one or more of the training passes. If I for some reason don’t go to the gym it holds me accountable and gives me a nudge to do better today. It’s going to be interesting to see if it get annoying over time. But, for now, it works for me.
One important note is that the device work fine with any subscription. The subscription just gives you the AI coach. If you can live without or have no interest in using the AI coach. It a one time purchase.
Issues#
Nothing is perfect and there certainly is room for improvements when it comes to Google Health. Here are a some of my observations.
- I had to ask the AI where to find the training program it made for me. I simply could not find it. Luckily it knew where it had put it. Is still not intuitive to me and I some time fiddle around for a bit before I find it again.
- Starting a workout is done from the homepage not under fitness for some reason.
- There is no way too favourite workouts. So I annoyingly have to dig through the list every time to select a workout.
- Workouts from Fitbod is from time to time not registered in Google Health. This might be Fitbod’s fault. But, annoying non the less.
- A few times the Google AI coach has informed me that “I have had a great nights sleep and that I am ready to take on the day”. When in reality I have been up to take a leak 5 time and have not sleep halve the night.
I am, sure I will find more things I like and more I don’t as time goes. Just as I am sure Google will improve on Google Health over time as they get feedback and telemetry.
Final Thoughts#
Many on the internet asks whether or not the Fitbit Air is a Whoop killer. I don’t think it is. While the two fitness trackers is very similar they target two very different type of people.
I am sure the Whoop band tracks more and gives more information. It should. It comes with a very expensive and mandatory subscription. Not to mention that with the Fitbit you are also giving Google yet more data on you.
I have not tested the accuracy of the device and I have no intentions to do so. What is important for me is not so much that the data is super accurate. But rather that the delta is. The, how I am doing today, this week, this year compared to yesterday, last week, last year. Am I moving in the right direction. Am I moving away or toward my goals. That is the important data. I will see over time if the data is good enough.
I would say that the Fitbit Air is for “normal” people like myself. All in all, for the price I am very impressed by the device. For me this is all I need from a fitness tracker.
