Fitbit function

Number and % used

Illustrative quotes

Steps function

n = 12

92.3%

P2: I used it for fitness, support.

P3: I just check it every day. And if I can improve on that.

P9: If I haven’t done much, then I’ll go for a walk. I always get excited when I hit the 10,000, and it does a little display of fireworks.

P11: I’m making sure that I’m hitting at least 10,000 steps a day.

P14: It’s very nice positive reinforcement for being active.

Sleep tracking

n =11

84.6%

P3: …proven to me that [my sleep] is not that much different from what other people experience in sleep every day.

P8: I monitor my sleep. Just to make sure I’m having the eight hours a night.

P9: …this is a good app to check and make sure that I’m sleeping well.

Sleep score

n = 8

61.5%

P8: So if you know you’ve got about 90%... you’ve got good sleep. It was below 90% then you need to work on it.

P14: It’s just kind of keeping an eye on the good sleep, because maintaining a good sleep schedule is instrumental in maintaining good mental health for me.

Calorie burn feature

n = 5

38.5%

P2: I found out that I burned around 1500 calories based on my steps. When I go out on jogs, for example, I burn about 2000 calories per day.

P6: I’m trying to diet, so it gives me a rough idea of how many calories I’ve burned throughout the day, so I have a rough idea of what I can eat.

P11: I’m using it to track my calories intake to make sure that I’m maintaining my weight.

Guided breathing relaxation

n = 2

15.4%

P2: Made me lay back and basically just breathe. That really helped with my anxiety because I’ve got anxiety.

P14: If I was feeling a little bit anxious in the moment… Then it was a good grounding tool.

Heart rate tracking

n = 12

92.3%

P2: I’ve noticed my heart rate is a bit high most of the time, that’s why I’m trying to go on jogs, to minimise that.

P8: Especially when I’m going out for walks or runs or cycling. It really gives me indicator on how well I’m doing. To make sure my heart rate increases.

P14: If I’m feeling a bit stressed, I can notice my heartrate’s a bit higher, and then I can try and bring that down.

Cardio fitness score

n = 1

7.7%

P30: I used that when it shows you the number of stairs you have travelled up.

Reminders to move

N = 6

46.2%

P3: Oh, I did [use reminders to move], like…“I’ve got to get up now”.

P8: It helps me indicate when I can start moving again or have a break.

P11: Just to make sure that I’m not lying in bed for too much time, just sitting around.

P30: Just to remind me to move each hour.

Goal-based exercise mode

n = 0

0%

Personalised reminders

n = 3

23.1%

P2: For example, go to sleep, to remind me to my do [work on] my website.

P11: I actually use those just to make sure when I have an appointment.

P30: Just everyday reminders, things that I need to get done.

Heart rate zones

n = 7

53.8%

P3: Yes, on the way back from school from my son, I try and pick up the pace, to basically feel I’m doing a bit of exercise.

P9: Yes, in the gym. Or if I’m going for a walk, I like to see my heart rate go up and make sure that I’m actually burning calories.

P14: I find that especially good when I’m on a walk and it’s saying: you’re in zone minutes, you’re in fat burn, you’re in cardio. I find that’s quite motivational, so push a bit harder.