GoWear fit Lifestyle and Calorie Management System
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Customer Reviews of GoWear fit Lifestyle and Calorie Management System
Customer Review: Well worth the investment
Summary: 4 Stars
I have owned the Gowear Fit for about 4 week now and so far glad to say I still don't have any buyers remorse.
My interest in this first started when I saw the Bodybugg on the current season of NBC's the Biggest Loser and so started to research it. When I searched for it on Amazon I got this products page.
I actually read through the info page and some of the reviews without noticing that this wasn't the BodyBugg, until a review mentioned the GoWear Fit vs. the BodyBugg . I then started researching the GoWear Fit, and came to find out that the BodyBugg and GoWear Fit were manufactured by BodyMedia.
Here is a nice table that compares them all dubya dubya dubya dot bodymedia dot com forward slash prodtbl.html
What I got from my research is that both pretty much use the same technology by and large as far as hardware goes. The main differences are in the software that you use to access the info gathered by whichever calorie counter you choose to use. When I looked at pictures of both of them, they looked EXACTLY the same. The only difference was the color scheme.
The biggest "issue" with the GoWear Fit that users seemed to gripe about was the calorie logging. With the GoWear Fit you filled a 3 day profile for meals that the software would use to calculate the average amount of calories that you consume everyday while BodyBugg had the capability of logging in each individual meal everyday so you had much more accurate calorie tracking.
This is not a problem anymore though. The software now allows you to enter each meal individually. So you have the option of either entering each meal or just filling out the 3 day meal profile (I think that's what they call it, not sure since I don't use it) and just have the software average out your calorie intake. I think if you usually eat the same things everyday or so, then this would probably be a plus for you.
Another thing that swayed me towards the GoWear Fit was the fact that it also measured sleep efficiency. It measures how much you lie down awake (trying to go to sleep or waking up from sleep) vs. how much time you spend in deep rem sleep. The BodyBugg didn't.
Ok, so you get the GoWear Fit, open up the box. Inside you'll find the module, armband, manual and code for 3 months free access to the website. The module takes about 3 hours to charge to full from an empty state, but mine was charged apparently because when I plugged it in, it indicated it was full.
The module itself is not too exciting looks wise. It has 2 leds, one labeled `Memory' and the other `Battery'. Next to the led's is a green button that you can press to verify that the module is working correctly. When pressed it gives an A-OK type audio alert if everything is hunky-dory. If the battery is low it will flash with an amber color and green when battery is charged. Same with memory, when there's about 24 hours worth of memory left it will start flashing in an amber color, and green when there's more than 24hrs worth available.
I believe it can store up to 14 days of calorie data before it stops logging. Once it fills up you have to upload the data to the website before it will start logging calorie consumption again. This means that you need access to the website and thus a membership to be able to use this baby.
To start a membership, you log onto the GoWear Fit website (using MS Internet Explorer, Firefox is not supported), download the software drivers, install them onto your pc (it's a 20mb download). Then you need to purchase a monthly plan. If you commit to 12 months its 6.95/month, 6 months is 9.95/month and month by month for 12.95/month .
Whichever option you choose, you won't get billed until after the 3 free months have expired. I went for the 6.95 per month because it's pretty cheap and if I decide that I want to discontinue the membership before the 12 months are up, I could just cancel the credit card (report it stolen and get a replacement card with different account number issued :P. Fyi, you need to use a bank debit card with Visa/Mastercard logo for this to work. If you use a regular credit card then the charges will be authorized on the newly issued card).
Once you purchase the membership, you will see a "Launch Activity Manager" icon added to the top toolbar on the GoWear Fit website. Clicking that will launch the GoWear Fit software. From there you can start using the GoWear Fit. You first fill out a profile with the usual info, age, weight, height, goals, 3 day food profile or log your meals for the day, download the days data from the GoWear Fit and look up your calorie data, # of steps taken that day, sleep efficiency etc.
The software has been pretty easy to use so far. The food logging is good, but it can be tedious entering calorie information for food that you cook at home or if you eat at a restaurant that is not one of the big franchises. But they have all the usual restaurants Arby's, Wendy's, BK, McDonald's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster etc.
Strangely though and much to my glee they also had calorie info for Chipotle. I say "strangely" because Chipotle doesn't list nutrition info on its website. During the weekday I always have lunch at Chipotle and its always the same thing (Steak Bol + rice + black beans + mild + medium + corn salsa). I was able to build this combo and save it so I don't have to piece it together everyday when I enter in my meals.
It saves all your nutrition entries that you enter everyday when you log your meals and presents them as suggestions as you type food names, much like how google makes suggestions as you type search words in the search box on their website.
It also has a reminder feature, were you can program 2 alarms to go off anytime during the day.
When I first got it I had the armband on a bit snug because it seemed like the more in contact with your skin the better the tracking. Unfortunately, after 2 days I started getting an itchy rash where it touched my skin. I loosened the arm band and moved it over to another area on my left arm and it still read my calorie intact just fine and no more rash.
You shouldn't wear it 24 hours a day. I think they recommend taking it off for an hour for every 23 hours worn. I usually take it off 15 minutes after I workout. I dump the arm band in some warm water with a little detergent, ring it out and then throw it in the dryer for 20 minutes on low, and hook up the module to the pc so it can charge. If you don't do this then I suggest you get an extra arm band and alternate between them every 3 to 4 days, because after about 3~4 days of working out with it, it will start to stink, BAD.
Theres also a display device that you can use for immediate feedback instead of having to hookup the module to your pc to look up the different stats for the day.
You can wear it like a watch, or clip it to your shirt or whatever like an Ipod nano. The other nice feature is that you can program thresholds, so for example, you can start working out and program the device to let you know when you've burnt 500 calories.
I do not have the display device. Frankly I'm still thinking through whether I really need it. I'm not sure that knowing how many calories I have burnt today to this exact minute is worth $70, which is what the display device costs, but being able to program the module to sound an alarm when I burn x amount of calories is a nice feature. Oh well moving on (I'm sure you really care if I buy it or not :).
All in all, if you want to get serious about losing weight, you really need to get one of these counters, Bodybugg or GoWear Fit. It forces you to be accountable to yourself and (assuming you log your meals accurately and studiously) minimizes the tendency to fall into victim-hood mode when the going gets tough and you start to make excuses. It's all there in black and white. Heres what you ingested and heres what you burnt. If you're not losing weight then the reason is right there in front you.
It also makes it that much harder to kid yourself. I think most of us have done this at one time or another. You decide to have that slice of cheesecake but it's ok because you'll work out an extra 1.5 hours this evening to make up for it, and you don't. Well, at the end of the day, it's going to be right there bitch slapping you back into coherence. The next time you try to kid yourself into having something fatty with the promise of making up for it you will remember that you have to deal with that at the end of the day.
Well, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading through. I hope this review answered at least some of your questions, and I wish you well on your weight loss journey.
Customer Review: I LOVE THIS THING. That is all. :)
Summary: 5 Stars
I initially looked at the GoWearFit (GWF) as a calculator only for the workout activity I try to do every day - I use an online database to track my hikes, bike rides and etc. and its automatic caloric calculator hasn't seemed very accurate. I planned to only wear the device for a couple hours a day to track my exertion, but upon receiving and using it I've been having trouble making myself take it off! I'm pleased to report that I've had it for about ten days now and literally couldn't be happier with it.
Like others, I was skeptical when I first purchased the product. Would it be bulky and uncomfortable? Would it track activity properly? And most pressing, in my world - would it connect to and upload to my Macintosh computer without problems?
When I first got the box from Amazon, I was alarmed to notice the "system requirements" printed on top of the box talked about Windows 2000 with various RAM configurations, etc. I unwrapped it and tried to keep all the packaging in pristine condition since I figured I'd have to return it - I'm a hardcore Macphile and simply won't use anything that requires me to install Windows of any flavor. However, I noticed upon unpacking the box that it came with a standard mini-USB to USB connector, which is good news when connecting to Mac - usually the device shows up right on the desktop and isn't a pain to configure, so I crossed my fingers.
As others have mentioned you do have to sign up at [...] to even get the device to turn on and to collect data. Using Safari, I had no problems creating an account whatsoever, and - the best part - the device powered up like a champ, connected to my COM port right away and the software installation completed without incident. (It's not Firefox-compatible, which is strange, but as I routinely use both browsers it's not a problem for me.) Others have reported trouble with the Java applet interface GWF uses, but Apple system updates seem to have furnished the correct, updated version on my machine.
So I started wearing the armband. As others here have mentioned, it's almost spooky how well the GWF will calculate your activities. One afternoon I was sitting around the house knitting and at one point I got up to get a drink of water - later the spike of activity for my walking to the sink showed up in my GWF activity monitor. Imagine my joy upon discovering that moving some boxes in the garage burned up 300 calories!
Honestly, even after so little time I'm just not sure how I lived without this wondrous gizmo. Some information I realized early on that made me feel like a kid on Christmas morning: The website I use to track my workouts and other activities was UNDERestimating the calories I was burning on the elliptical and similar by as much as 200 kcal!!! This means I'm actually doing much better than I had realized, and only a few tweaks to my calorie count and diet are already showing results.
As others have mentioned, the GWF really does make you think up ways to burn more calories each day, especially if you're trying to hit daily caloric and activity targets. Since its timeline is so specific, this is easy to do - once you've walked up a certain set of stairs, say, and learned how many calories that burns, you can mix and match that with another activity to consume however many calories you like for that day. Earlier this week I realized some yard work and light chores around the house I'd been doing sporadically could easily add up to the extra 150 calories that let me eat an evening ice-cream treat without gaining weight.
As a final note, I'll add that I, like millions of Americans, suffer from ADHD - attention deficit disorder. I have a hard time remembering what activities I've done and what things I've eaten, and I tend to overconsume caffeine and most especially sugar - which has previously contributed to an unhealthy weight gain. Wearing the GWF has been a real "eureka!" experience - getting the exact number of calories I've burned and on what day (the GWF has been estimated to about 90% accuracy) has allowed me to target caloric intake vs. activity in a way I simply wouldn't have been able to accomplish on my own. While using the GWF along with another calorie-tracking program released for the IPhone, I honestly think I have a real shot at dropping the 30 pounds that have been dogging me for the past dozen years.
I'll revise the review later on as I have more information, but at this point I think the GWF system is going to result in real life changes for me.
The one and only downside has been that the unit isn't waterproof, so you can't use it to track calorie use during swimming or (my favorite athletic pursuit) scuba diving. I'm looking into getting a Polar heart rate wristwatch to monitor those activities. Also, if I don't move the GWF onto the back of my arm before I go to sleep I can wake up lying on it, which isn't very comfortable...luckily the fix is as simple as remembering to adjust it a little before bed.
My particular unit will go for five or six days before I have to recharge it. I have a little alarm set in my copy of ICal to remind me to leave it plugged in overnight every so often.
In short, this item is WELL worth the investment. As others have said, don't test fate - buy GWF and lose that weight! Good luck!
EDITED TO ADD...12-11-09
I'm updating this review a full eight or so months after I first bought the GWF device. I still love it and use it like it's my job, but I've got one real criticism of the full system: The display device, that you wear on a watchband or a small plastic clip to show your calorie burn in real time, has repeatedly fallen out of its seating and I finally lost it. Why on earth they don't include some kind of latch or other mechanism to secure the display, I have no idea. This is not an inexpensive display!!
I've ordered another one, as I do use it quite a lot - seeing my calorie burn has no equal in terms of motivating me to get off the couch - but I'm going to wrap it up with strapping tape or rubber bands if I decide I'm going to wear it on the watchband again. I may just carry it in a pocket, which shouldn't interfere with its reception of my armband, which is pretty good even at a distance of four or five feet.
Just a word of warning.
ANOTHER UPDATE...5-25-10
I still love the GWF, a year after having purchased it. However, I've augmented my use of GWF with a waterproof wristtop Polar device (the FT4, which I use for swimming laps) and a Garmin Forerunner 305 (to map my bike rides). I guess I'm just a 'device junkie' but I really like keeping track of my exercise habits - it's nice to open my personal log and see I've burned 4000 calories this month or biked 100 miles - helps keep me motivated.
For comparison's sake: The Polar and my GWF are usually a hundred calories or so apart for the same activity, with the GWF showing a higher rate of burn. I'm not really sure which is accurate yet (although the Precor elliptical trainer I use at the gym most often matches the GWF).
GWF still gets the edge, here, for a person who's serious about overall calorie burn. While the Polar wristtop will track your heart rate and calorie burn, it and the Forerunner are still designed mostly for an activity that's an hour or two in duration. The GWF is much more helpful for calorie burn over some period of time - like yardwork or all-day shopping in a store.
Just a couple more points of information. I'd still definitely recommend the GWF, even if I do look silly with a rubber band around the face of the GWF display device. :)
Customer Review: Simply AMAZING!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I've never reviewed a product of the roughly 20 Bazillion things I've purchased from Amazon... until now. The GoWear fit Lifestyle and Calorie Management System is, bar none, the best purchase I have ever made.
You can read lots of great reviews about this product so I won't get into the basics of how it works except to say that it is identical to the BodyBugg that you see on the Biggest Loser - that's where I first heard about it, in fact. Until a few weeks ago I had not watched the show. My wife talked me into it and I saw the Bugg and knew that I had to try it out.
My Experience:
Ordering: I purchased it from Amazon - Prime works perfectly on this - so I bought one for my wife and one for myself. We added in the display devices (we both use the belt clip). The shipment arrived and we were both quite satisfied with the transaction. Not much more to say here - Amazon always does great with their Prime shipping.
The Good: Well, the good was that the Armband fit fine with the Medium strap that shipped. I'm 6'1" and at the start (18 days ago) weighed 214 pounds. So I'm a fairly big guy - I don't have scrawny little girly arms. That being said, I am ordering a large strap as well. Why? Because I want two straps so I can clean this one before it starts getting funky! I figured I'd try out the large and see if it was a better option as I don't have ton of room for expansion of my manly left arm - and believe me, when you wear the Bugg (yeah, I know - it's a GoWear, but saying 'the Bugg' is much more fun!) you will expand those triceps and biceps!
The Great: I really like the Activity Manger software. Reading some of the reviews, I was concerned. I run a Mac (Leopard, not Snow Leopard) and it works fine. Also, the tech support folks at Body Media told me that they were sending an upgrade in a few weeks - so not to worry there! It is very, very easy to use. I've spent time filling in calorie counting programs before - but they were cumbersome and not user-friendly. This one is fast, easy, and quite useful. Is it perfect? Nope. I do give an "A-" for now - but this is only because I would like to edit the existing items in the nutrition manager. Oh, and I sometimes have an adult beverage that is not listed (such as my homemade beer! Yum!!!) and want to start a category for this, but you cannot add alcohol values when creating an item.
The Super Great: What is really cool is the "My Calories Burned" section (ok, I like the "Physical Activity" and "Sleep Duration" sections as well... told you I'm anal! - love those numbers!!!). This section shows, graphically, every time you burn a few more. So, when I go for my run, it shows the high points as well as the warm/cool periods. You can see when you climbed up those three flights of stairs getting to the office! You can see when you were sitting on your rear watching TV. And, children, cover your eyes for this one... you can even see when you were fooling around with your wife! The thing is crazy sensitive to any activity (or lack thereof) whatsoever. Yes, this is fun to review your day - "hey, that's were I took out the trash" or "yep, I walked the dog after dinner... there it is!"
The Amazing!!: Time to cut to the chase - and I'll update this section periodically. This forces anal-retentive guys like myself to lose weight and belly inches. It cannot NOT work (don't tell my mother the teacher about that double negative!) if you are diligent. So, here are my real-world numbers... published for everyone to see.
Starting on Oct 21, 2009
Weight = 214# Waist = 43.5"
Nov 1, 2009
Weight - 210# Waist = 42"
Nov 7, 2009
Weight = 208# Waist = 41.5
Dec 3, 2009
Weight = 204 Waist = 40.5 (that darned Turkey Day slowed me down!)
Dec 5, 2009
Weight = 203 Waist = 40.5) (back on track!)
Now that is AMAZING!!! All of this because I'm aware of what I am burning and what I am expending. My wife has lost a total of 5 lbs and 1.5" on her waist in the just over 2 weeks we've been doing this. And she was pretty small to begin with!
The Only Concern: My armband was not sending all of the information properly to my display device. I called Body Media's tech support team. After a few days of working through some possible fixes, they are sending me a new one. No hassle, no problem, no worries. I tell you, these guys ROCK! UPDADE: The new armband works perfectly...
See - Not a Concern at All! The good folks at Body Media are customer oriented as can be. You won't be at a loss for service if you need it!
Well, that's my story for now. I'm on a journey to be about 185# and about a 36" waist. We'll see if I adjust that goal as I get closer. I'll update this in a month or so - just to let you all know that you can't go wrong when you buy this product.
This is a great, fantastic, terrific, and -yes - amazing product! BUY IT!!! Get off your wallet! You can't go wrong!
Update - March 7, 2010
I still love this product. Slowed down using it over the Holidays, but did a pretty good job in January until we took a week's vacation in Florida (that threw me yet again...). Anyway, I've been consistent again now for about four weeks and my current weight is:
Mar 4, 2010
Weight = 195 Waist = 39 - so far so good! Still working toward 185 and 36" waist... a couple more months of good behavior and consistency in wearing this terrific product should get me there!
Customer Review: Great for raising your activity-level awareness and motivation!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my GoWear Fit for three weeks now. I love it.
What I puchased: the armband, the display unit, and 6 mos of online subscription.
Initial impression:
Armband - good fit and finish; very lightweight; armband was a little too snug for a 300 lb man (but has loosened up with wear); took around 3 hours hooked to computer USB for initial charge-up.
Display - good fit and finish; displays time, mins of moderate activity, minutes of vigorous activity, steps taken, calories burned; displays yesterday's totals for the above info; has a "trip" that you can zero out and measure over a certain time period; has a light; displays the targets set in your software; beeps at you when you meet targets.
Online software - was iniitally confusing; you download some database software to your computer, but can't execute/do anything. The downloaded software just stores your data for interpretation by the online subscription software, which is a Java application. Once I realized I had to both install something on my computer AND run the Java app from the website... it was very smooth.
What it does:
The armband continuously tracks your steps taken and calories burned. It also records minutes of moderate and minutes of vigorous activity, based on its interpretation of how you are moving and the heat/sweat you are generating. The software graphs it out for you and allows you to make PDF reports.
Why I like it:
1) I am a 41-year old, 5'10", 315 lb man who has recently solved one health problem and can now finally focus on weight. The software told me to eat 3480 calories/day. That is the first helpful bit! I was cutting my calories too much, based on other calulators, and feel better with more energy at this higher calorie level.
2) It told me that if I'm eating 3480 calories/day, I need to burn an extra 1000 calories/day to lose a couple pounds per week. OK, eat 3480...burn 4480! Got it!
3) It showed me that I was burning ~2480/day with my desk job and no exercise... ouch! I needed to burn another 2000 calories/day! No wonder I'm having problems. But using this armband and display has really increased my awareness of how sedentary my life had become during my illness. I find myself checking the display of steps and calories several times/day and the data reminds me to get up and take a walk around the block every couple hours.
Key point: It acts as a constant source of awareness and motivation to just get up and move every once in awhile!
Three weeks ago, I said to myself, "Oh crap! There's no way I can burn 4480 calories in a day. I'm too fat and too out of shape!"
But now, three weeks later, I've hit that goal twice and it's becoming easier and easier. I started going on a few little 15-minute walks/day. Then they turned into two brisk 25-min walks/day. I started parking further away at my work's parking lot, to make my steps goal. I started parking farther away from stores when going out on errands. And I see instant, measureable results in my "steps taken" and "calories burned" through the GoWear Fit. I find myself constantly pushing to get my calories burned a little higher every day.
This daily "calories burned game" is also a much more approachable goal than looking in the mirror and saying "my goal is to lose 140 pounds". I don't do that anymore (much). Now I simply look at my GoWear display and say, "my goal is to hit 4480 calories-burned today". It's a much more manageable (sane) mindset. And it's getting results. My fitness level is getting better and I'm starting to lose weight! I'm much more active and I've lost several pounds in the last three weeks, without really dieting.
Anyway, I can say that the GoWear Fit is really helping me realize how sedentary I was and how easy it is to make lots of little adjustments to become significantly more active. I love it!
A side note about "BodyBugg":
As near as I can tell the GoWear Fit and the current version of the BodyBugg (known as "v3" or "black") are the same device by Body Media. Body Media's website describes the BodyBugg as a "fitness club solution" and the GoWear Fit as a "personal solution". The BodyBugg appears to be marketed through Apex Fitness (24 Hour Fitness Club) while the GoWear Fit is the direct-to-market version sold directly from Body Media. I think they may have different software interfaces...
Sleep Efficiency:
The GoWear Fit software reports "sleep efficiency". As near as I can tell, this is sort of a bogus piece of data. It seems to just look at how much time you are prone (lying down) and assumes that you are asleep if you are remaining still. I've had it tell me I am sleeping when I am lying back in my recliner reading a book, so it's not the greatest measurement of "sleep". I've stopped wearing my armband at night, and I just let it fill in the default 1.8 cals/min for the hours I don't wear it at night.
I still rate the product 5 stars, because "sleep efficiency" measurement is not why I bought the device. I bought it to see roughly how many calories I was burning and to help motivate me to be more active. And this device rocks for that!
EDIT: I've had it about 7 weeks now. I've lost about 12 pounds. Still no problems with the GoWear Fit and still think it's a great product. Is it worth the price tag? That depends on your pocketbook.
But I still think it's a great tool for making yourself more aware of how much (or how little) activity and calorie burn you're really getting on a daily basis.
Customer Review: Better than advertised!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is going to be a lengthy review, so if you are looking for the Reader's Digest version, here it is: If you are in any way contemplating this purchase, stop reading and buy it.
Now, on to the review...
I have owned this device for a week. I am a 37 year old male with approximately 25 lbs to lose. I have a sedentary job and joined a gym 6 weeks ago. I have had a back injury for 7 months and am slowly geting back into the groove.
When I first received it, the unit was not charged, so I had to be patient and wait the 3 hrs it takes to fully charge it. As others have stated, it is not at all cumbersome or uncomfortable. In fact, I often forget that I am wearing it. After it was charged, I had difficulty getting my computer to recognize it. I later learned, through the assistance of Customer Service, that the problem was due to a Java update. They assisted me in getting past this, and that has been the only hiccup so far.
The device is, quite simply, amazing. For starters, anyone doubting the sleep tracker will be in for a huge surprise. It is incredibly accurate. I conciously paid attention to when I went to bed and looked up at the clock a few moments before I fell asleep. In the morning when I uploaded the numbers, it showed me the same exact times and results.
As far as nutrition tracking and calorie consumption, it would have been nice for everything to be included, but, as another reviewer stated, it is easy enough to track your nutrition using a free program like the one at sparkpeople (search for that word if you don't know what it is). Even without using an outside program, the gowear does have nutrition assessment or it can estimate your caloric intake based upon the statistics you provide when you first set up the armband.
In addition, the gowear fit Activity Manager displays your calorie balance, duration of activity (including the intensity of it), and steps. I also just discovered that it exports your data to a Microsoft Excel page that you can store on your computer and use to track your long-term success.
This device is an incredible motivator. During the first few days that I had it on, I did not go to the gym because I wanted to get a baseline of my normal activities. When I finally started to go to the gym, I was thrilled by my Calories Burned...until I recorded my food for the day and saw that I was simply breaking even. With such instant feedback, I altered my eating habits, and in the last 3 days I lost 3 lbs. I know that water is the first to go when one begins a diet, but I also saw the 2,000 calorie deficit that I had yesterday alone, and I know that after the water is gone, I will continue to lose.
I cannot recommend this product highly enough. If you are competetive and have no challengers to motivate you, let me introduce you to the GoWear Fit. When you see those numbers, you will have all the competition you need.
EDIT (January 16, 2009)---I have continued to wear the device since I posted my review, and nothing about my opinion has changed. The device works perfectly and actually becomes a part of your body. There have been several times when I had one foot in the shower and had to back out because I forgot that I was wearing it. The only drawback to this, as far as I'm concerned, is that it does get a tiny bit irritating on my arm. I tend to keep it in the same spot, and every once in a while, I have to relocate it.
For those wondering about weight loss, I have not exercised in 2 weeks under doctor's orders due to a back injury. However, when I first got the device and used it in conjunction with sparkpeople, I had a calorie deficit of 1000-1200 calories a day, and, sure enough, I dropped 3.5 pounds very quickly. I wear it, on average, 22 hrs a day or so and have not had to charge it for more than an hour at a time----I'm actually amazed at how long the batteries last. I will begin working out again next week and will edit this again with results.
EDIT (April 16, 2009)---Again, device works perfectly...no changes whatsoever. I actually didn't use it for 2 weeks back in March, and even though I never bothered to charge it during this time, it retained its charge and worked perfectly as soon as I put it on.
It seems that some of the negative reviews on here are a little unfair---for one thing, it is not the fault of the device if you have sensitive skin and get a rash. Secondly, if you dont bother to read any of these reviews or THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH THE DEVICE, dont waste people's time by posting negatively.
There is no software that comes with the device.
There is no monitor on the device; you must purchase it separately.
If you do not purchase the monitor, you MUST subscribe to the online service in order to view your numbers and to upgrade the firmware.
I don't mean to sound so negative, but some of the comments on here are a bit ridiculous. The only negative comment that I can agree with is in regards to customer support. In my initial review I stated that I had Java issues and couldn't get online. Like others, I tried contacting the company but, initially, had problems. The issue was eventually handled within 2 days, and it has been clear sailing ever since. There is no excuse for poor customer service; however, when it is functioning properly, the Gowear Fit is perfect.