I had a crowded wrist as I reviewed the latest wristband activity monitors. This new evolution of pedometer technology is made possible by sensors and algorithms that let you free up your waistband. All of them count your steps and estimate your calories burned and sync with a phone app, and some also sync with a computer/web site. But beyond that they vary quite a bit in what they track -- sleep, inactive time, workouts. Only the Nike+ FuelBand has numerical display and time of day so you don't need the phone or computer to know your numbers. And they also vary quite a bit in style and comfort.

Comparing Wristband Activity Monitor Pedometers: Jawbone UP, Nike+ FuelBand, Fitbit Flex, larklife

Have you tried one I haven't reviewed? Tell me about it and I'll see if I can fit more on the other wrist!
Rate and Review Your Pedometer/Activity Monitor

Photo © Wendy Bumgardner 2013
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer for two of these monitors. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

The Global Corporate Challenge kicks off May 23rd for its yearly 16-week virtual walking journey around the world. It's a fun pedometer-based workplace wellness program that has been offered by thousands of companies worldwide. The program comes from the charmingly-named company Get The World Moving, Limited. It turns logging 10,000 steps per day into a team-based game. I spoke to last year's winning team captain at Sage North America, Steven Reid, who lost 20 pounds while leading his team to a healthy victory.
More: Global Corporate Challenge

Have you participated in a pedometer-based workplace wellness program? At Sage, they noticed that more people continued to take a lunchtime walk after the program ended. The team-based approach really improved workplace morale and interaction. It sounds like a great way to encourage employees to sit less and move more, reducing the health risks of sitting too much.

Photo © Get the World Moving Limited

Fitbit just started shipping orders for its Fitbit Flex activity monitor wristband. I've worn every model of Fitbit since they debuted, so I was excited to get a sample to review. My wrist is a bit crowded as I won't give up my Nike+ Fuelband, and I wear the Jawbone UP at work with the Idle Alert set to vibrate when I've been sitting too long. Nonetheless, I abandoned my Fitbit One temporarily to try out the Fitbit Flex. My verdict -- pretty good, but my wrist belongs to the FuelBand. While the 5-light display gives you an indication of how you are doing, I still like having the numbers to view without going to the phone app or web dashboard.
Review: Fitbit Flex.

Photo © Wendy Bumgardner 2013
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Sitting in the new smoking. That's a slogan you'll be hearing more and more often as studies show that sitting increases your health risks. But when my head is deep in my screen-time work, I lose track of how long I've been sitting. Luckily, there are apps and activity monitors designed to alert you or make you more aware of how long you have been inactive. I've been wearing a Jawbone UP, which I have set to vibrate after 30 minutes of low activity. I also tried out the Move More app last week, which you use to track sitting, standing, moving, exercising and sleeping.
Apps and Activity Monitors that Track Sitting Time

Do you have an app or know of an activity monitor that can alert you when you've been sitting too long? I'd love to review it and add it to the list.
Tell us about your favorite walking app

Screen shot of Move More App - Wendy Bumgardner