I never used a fitbit or similar because I think they are privacy nightmares. I'm also not a big fan of measuring everything (or over-optimizing everything).
But now I'm curious: are there any that don't suck and are reasonably privacy preserving? If anyone knows it's probably the nostr crowd lol
You want to measure those 100 push-ups a day, don’t you? 👀
Thought the same way myself, did a little research. None are perfect, but Garmin seems to be slightly more respectful.
probably due to a company culture born before ubiquitous internet connectivity
Yeah, apparently the watch only connects to Garmin when you do updates etc, otherwise it just doing its job. I like the non-google operating system too.
yeah, i probably don't really have much use for it at this stage, i've got this milestone in my mind when i can do a particular hill climb on my bike that will be a big achievement... i already have managed that i can go for almost 2x further at a go before i need to catch my breath
but good to know that if i decide i want to track my cardio performance with gps info and such there is options that don't snitch on you the whole time
Yeah, I base my performance on faster times, more weight etc.
My wife bought me a fitbit, pre google, but it still sucked.
I dunno about a good one for privacy but I am convinced that any health solutions should be data driven. In the normal case self observational data is enough, but with some health conditions present and medications being taken data (and knowledge how to interpret it) is necessary if one can afford it
The devices themselves are not privacy nightmares - the apps are.
https://gadgetbridge.org/ fixes this.
If you’re in the Apple Ecosystem, it’ll be the Apple Watch hands down.
I would definitely rate this under the category "privacy nightmare" even though they might be super awesome. I'd still have to trust Apple to keep their word and not just that, i additionally habe to trust in their security never being compromised.
In which case would you not have to trust the provider (just for informational purposes)?
There are a very minor amount of open source services that you can run yourself on a server in your basement. I'm sure they do nothing like Apple will do for you with fancy dashboards and stats but they can collect the data you create.
Here' a bunch of them (pardon the reddit link): https://old.reddit.com/r/selfhosted/comments/14wxful/open_source_fitness_tracker_w_self_hosted_fitness/juswr05/
Thanks man, will look into this
Same here. It’s not as useful as to sacrifice your data even more.
Gadget Bridge fixes a lot of the privacy problems, by keeping the data on your phone. They support a lot of devices. I've been using my bangle.js for a watch more and more.
This app sounds awesome, wonder if anyone tested it with #GrapheneOS.
Device recommendation is here: https://gadgetbridge.org/faq/best-device/
(looks like no Gramin or other classical smartwatches are supported yet)
I also miss being able to use Google Pay (I know - it is all borrowed money) for which some of the best ones I was given:
Pixel watch - mentioned by the nostr:nprofile1qyvhwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddakk7um5wgh8q6twdvhsz9thwden5te0wfjkccte9ejxzmt4wvhxjme0qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uqzpva683gyt7a0nxlfedx648ca0whwm2aql3dezkt9z830k7nsm4leqctypa account (hope it's the right one)
Garmin Instinct - with solar watch face serving for 2 weeks without charging in the summer, bigger the better.
💪
nostr:npub17u5dneh8qjp43ecfxr6u5e9sjamsmxyuekrg2nlxrrk6nj9rsyrqywt4tp mentioned oura ring once https://www.amazon.com/Oura-Ring-Gen3-Horizon-Tracking/dp/B0CSRF4MV3
Nope f that. That Data is highly collected and studied where I went to school.
you give me sats and I DM you twice a day so you keep on doing sports 😂 a reasonable trade offer 🔥 #fitplebs
I use MotionMate app for step counter, which is available on F-droid. Minimalist single purpose app does nothing besides counting steps and does not eat battery despite running in the background all the time. 2.3 MB download 😎
The Apple Watch with the built-in trainer seems to be as safe as your iPhone (if you have one). Maybe don’t connect additional devices or Apps to it / restrict access… Yes it can be an additional motivation to overcome any laziness if that’s the case… ;)
I assume anything my iphone or apple watch knows is known by apple and therefore shared with services at request. 🤷♂️ would be nice to be wrong!
Well, off-grid living without internet is the last option, timing your training with a mech watch and writing it down on a piece of paper is an option! 😂
Go for a 1 hour walk and listen to a Bitcoin podcast. You don’t need to analyse how many calories you burnt. ☺️
Privacy is not even the worst aspect of these smart trackers. The band is always on your wrist emitting 2.45 GHz RF signal 24x7
The problem is the proximity.
It’s ALWAYS on the body.
good point
Use Opentracks on GrapheneOS with cheap Bluetooth tracker if you want heartrate and you are all set.
I've been using Garmin for the same reason. Garmin deems the less evil of all
surf.
I used Whoop for quite some time, but I know they are not good with my data. Their hardware and software is one of the best. Also Garmin is catching up.
This is an area where we don't have good alternatives imo.
The only one I know which is trying is https://pine64.org/devices/pinetime/
I used the xiaomi mi bands for a long time. But everytime with gadgetbridge like mentioned here. 😊
Just count your pushups 😁
Use a Garmin with sleep and pulse statistics readable on the watch and with bluetooth disconnected
Pebble watch with Rebble store was pretty sweet, but it may be dead now. Not sure about privacy.
they're horseshit imo. move everyday. rise with the sun. avoid processed food. stabilise your awareness through stillness and move through the world pleasantly.
pleasentness within, pleasentness around 🫂
Pinetime +1
I use Garmin, who seem the best of the bunch wrt privacy. But it is a balance and some compromise is required. If I was all over opsec I wouldn’t use anything.
I’ve tried a bunch of “wearables” & never liked them after usage for a period
Admittedly I never considered the privacy angle per say, but it was mainly the over-analysis that did my head in
You just don’t need all that information !
It depends on the use case. I mean, most of the watches can measure heart rates, but the results with a Brustgurt are much better and more reliable. Tracker devices are more open (ANT, Bluetooth) and have better privacy options.
Garmin ...
Maybe just my own lack of knowledge. But if you have a watch with a decent screen, could you not turn off WiFi and Bluetooth and keep all the data on the watch itself?
I used Garmin watch and it is good! You can turn off the bluetooth unlike fitbit or other watches out there! The price is reasonable too! I have been using mine for 3-4 years I guess 😀
Has anyone here tested the Garmin watch's security side? My research told me it is safe but no harm on askin the tribe here! 😀
I use a Garmin Instinct Tactical. It has a stealth mode so that you can have bluetooth turned off. but, if you want to use the benefits of the app, you will have security issues if you are worried about that. The watch is great though.
Does your back hurt? Then you need to walk more
The local school banned all smartphones, but Fitbits were OK because they aren't smart unless connected to an app. But smart enough that my daughter has worn hers every day since she was about 9 and is very aware just from some basic on-screen numbers how active she is, and aware of the occasional days she is a couch potato. It has proven a great educational/awareness tool without an app.
Non are TRULY privacy preserving imo, but Whoop is clearly the best tracker with the most ability to toggle info and you can sign up with a burner email and they don’t block one time use debit cards
Google is your friend when it comes to privacy 😃
No, seriously, just don't connect that devices to the internet or spoof their home DNS at your router.
