This guide is hopefully going to make purchasing a BodyBugg or go wear monitoring device easier, or so I hope.  BodyBugg Version 3 and the GoWear Fit monitor looks almost identical to another, except for the colors on the face of each monitor.  BodyBugg Version 3 has a black face with gray lettering and a gray button in the middle.  The GoWear has green lettering with green button in the middle.  Besides those two differences, the two monitors look and work the same with two silver, (stainless steel), oval sensors that come in direct contact with your skin.  The monitor is placed on your arm directly over the back of your upper arm covering the deltoid muscle, the monitor is held in place by a elastic band which is held in place by Velcro. 

 GoWear V1

How it works:

The Bodybugg interprets calorie burn using a system called "sensor fusion." This process involves collecting a range of body-data using multiple physiological sensors instead of a single sensor, which is what other calorie estimation devices such as pedometers and heart rate monitors rely on. It's this multi-sensor approach that enables BodyBugg to "see" the your activity level (whether you are sitting, sleeping, jogging, walking, etc.) that makes BodyBugg such a reliably accurate device for calorie expenditure estimation.  The Bodybugg incorporates FOUR sensors;

1.)  The accelerometer in Bodybugg is a tri-axis micro-electro-mechanical sensor (MEMS) device that measures motion. This motion can be mapped to forces (g-force) exerted on the body. By taking gravity and motion into account along with the other sensor data, the wearer's body context and true level of physical exertion can be accurately predicted.

2.)  The Heat Flux sensor located on the side that measures the amount of heat being dissipated by the body via a thermally resistant material. In short, this sensor measures how much heat the wearer's body is giving off. Heat flux is an important parameter because the body tends to heat up the faster it burns calories.

3.)  The Galvanic Skin Response sensor is comprised of two "hypo-allergenic" stainless steel electrodes on the back of the armband that measure skin conductivity. Skin conductivity is how much an electrical current can pass between two points on the surface of the skin and is affected by sweat due to physical exertion as well as emotional stimuli such as psychological stress.

4.)  The Skin temperature is measured by using a highly accurate thermistor-based sensor located on the back of the BodyBugg®. Looking at continuous measurement of skin temperature in conjunction with data collected from the other sensors can reveal the body's core temperature trends which are affected by the level of a person's physical exertion or lack thereof.

The data these 4 sensors collect, in conjunction with the wearer's specific body parameters (age, gender, height, weight) enable the most accurate estimation of energy expenditure on the market today outside of a clinical setting.

BodyBugg Version 3 Search

Many websites that you will check considers the BodyBugg is about 90% accurate..

GoWear Fit Search

My personal use and experience validates that the BodyBugg is very accurate and comfortable.  Here are a few things I felt that are not so obvious:

Search For GoWear Fit Digital Display Device Watch

 GoWear Digital Display (Bodybugg looks and does the same - just says Bodybugg instead)

The BodyBugg battery lasts about 10 days without charging.  Usually I charge the battery every three days when I sync it to my computer via a mini usb cord that also will transmit the data saved on my BodyBugg to the BodyBugg website and record the information in a graph style results for me to review.  two L.E.D.'s on the face of the BodyBugg, one shows the battery level; green 100 - 80% charge, amber 70 -50%, red 30 - 10% power remaining.  The battery is Ni Cad rechargeable, meaning you'll have to wait for the battery to charge via usb or if you buy a like style cell phone charger to charge it.  EBay also offers a battery backup device that allows you to put an AA battery and plug it into your device giving it that crucial juice it needs until you can completely charge it later.  **Sorry, you can NOT charge the device while wearing it; the band cannot be kept on when you are syncing or charging the device.**

Search for Compact Emergency Charger fo BodyBugg or GoWear Fit

NOW THE DIRT AND GRIT THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

CONS:

MEMORY IS LIMITED! I find that the BodyBugg memory (that which is inside the actual sensor), will hold up to about 8-9 days of information.  As stated above about the battery indicator, the 2nd led is to notify you about the memory status.  For both the battery and memory the BodyBugg  will beep and flash the led's to notify you of this problem or pending needs.

There's no way of knowing what the BodyBugg has recorded looking at it;  this can be remedied by either purchasing the supplemental watch that is offered, a good price is about $40 - $60 U.S.D. for this item (new) it's called a GoWear Fit Digital Display Watch and to search for it see the search link above.  The watch has several different attachments included in the kit, the face of the watch comes out and can be placed in a clip on attachment.  I personally like the way some of the contestants on "Biggest Loser" wear theirs clipping the clip on directly on to the band where the Velcro overlaps the band connected to the BodyBugg device.  By clipping the face to your band you do two things, prevent you from having to "sync" the device to the watch face, (which I find annoyingly common when using the watch feature), and it's very handy to check when you're curious to see your progress.  If you chose not to buy the watch, your only other way is to take the device off and connect via usb to your computer, then log on to the website.  Note: syncing the device to your watch is simple, simply pressing the green or gray soft button on the middle of your BodyBugg device and then pressing any key on the watch usually will update the information.  You'll know if the watch information is not recent as the display will say "not in sync" directly on it. 

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CONTRACT TO USE THE BODYBUGG/GOWEAR FIT!  This is common for all versions of BodyBugg.  Checking the web you may find a "hack" to remove the info, but you'll have to decipher the info as the data pretty much comes out as numbers and not the nice graphs you get used to on the BodyBugg website.  This might be okay if you have the watch attachment.  But the BodyBugg's memory will not clear itself without connecting the device to your computer.  As described above the device will signal via a sound and led indicator that the memory is full, and the display will not change even on the watch display.  The biggest problem is you HAVE to commit to a "plan," the longer the plan you select (in months), the cheaper the monthly rate.  BodyBugg offers a monthly, three, six, and twelve month plan - as stated above the longer the cheaper rate charged by month but if you fail to cancel in the first 30 days, you will be charged a fee ( I believe it is $60 USD).  Read your contract thoroughly as this may or may not apply to you and your Bodybugg/GoWear fit.

Be Careful when you buy!  New Bodybugg's maybe the same when they come off the factory floor, but the packaging may not (most specifically the free introductory offer).  Check to see when buying a new bodybugg, what introductory offer there is, mine came with a three month free offer for the subscription, others only come with a one month, and obviously used come with none.  **Hint** If you do buy a used one, if you can find the code that allows you to get a one or three month free subscription; it will work.  The code works specifically to accounts not the actual bodybugg..  (I believe there's only two codes - one code gives you one month and the other for a three month)  Note: you must have the code when you first open your account/subscription, otherwise you are out of luck for your free month(s)...

The band that allows your BodyBugg device to snap into maybe hypoallergenic/least likely to cause irritation, buy a spare!  After a week, it tends to smell without cleaning, add to that you must hand-wash the band, and if you are exercising a lot the band tends to wear out (my personal experience).  The band only costs about $8 USD off of the bodybugg website, but the shipping and handling charges are excessive to say the least.

There's really only one place to put it; on the back of your upper arm, and pretty much has to be on your left arm.  Sorry ladies, that bodybugg will stick out like a sore thumb at work if you wear sleeveless or short sleeve blouses.  Although it makes for a great conversational piece when visible; I get stopped constantly and asked: "what is that!"  For fun I always tell them that it's a G.P.S. monitor the local police and courts have ordered me to wear, but then tell them the truth as they begin to walk away in disgust...

None of the parts are water-proof.  Sweat is about the only water that can come in contact with the device, and only on the contact side that touches your skin.  So be careful, I find myself quickly jumping back when I enter a nice hot steamy shower as I have become used to the monitor.

PRO'S:

When using a trainer or diet coach, you have the option of sending the info obtained by your device to anyone via email or printing it out.  I really like this option as it seems easier to track rather than the website page by page activity log compared to the emailed version which breaks it down for you all in one page.

The Bodybugg and GoWear Fit device eliminates the guess work, just by looking at your watch attachment, you'll know what you have done, or what you will need to do to meet your goals.

The website offers helpful information and insight into your exercise habits, added to that the online service which has a very comprehensive application called the "Activity Manager" allows you to review your activity sleep pattern, (GoWear fit monitor), your steps, caloric burn, physical activity (vigorous or moderate), and allows you input your food intake (don't worry the web application has a drop down menu allowing you to pick from all types of food and sizes so you don't have to track every calorie - just the amount of food you consume).

The device is very accurate, compared to my old pedometer the "Omron HJ-720IT" which comes with it's own software that you install on your computer and monitors your walking activity; gowear allows me to track many different activity's and exercising versus a one plain tracking device such as a pedometer.

GoWear Fit Monitor will track your sleep pattern, allowing you and or your fitness expert to examine every facet of your life minus someone following you around.  Add to that the website application allows you to input your daily intake, so there is no mistake when trying to find where your weaknesses are.

Actually comfortable; the monitor will not even be noticeable, unless you ever tighten the strap on too much, you'll never realize that the device is even on...

Bodybugg V3 and GoWear fit are the most compact and most refined technology to date.  The version 1 was very bulky and had cumbersome straps, Version 2 had little to no update and both were only accessible by syncing to the computer via a wireless access.  Version 1 and 2 both had the label "APEX" and "24 Hour Fitness" don't let this misnomer trick you into believing that you can't activate this device without having some type of agreement/subscription with either, as you can activate the device through the bodybugg website without being a member to 24 Hour Fitness.  The Version 3 offers both wireless and wired access as well as the wireless digital display I wrote about earlier. 

Bodybugg V1 & 2 (some may also be labeled 24 Hour Fitness)

Either way, all of the Bodybuggs (regardless of the version), are extremely helpful with finding out your weaknesses and your strengths for losing weight.  I strongly recommend this product, but do so cautiously, as there are two weaknesses; 1.) The cost of the subscription (monthly and it varies as described above) 2.) Your willingness to commit to a careful and thorough plan of excercising along with a strict diet.  Without just one of the 2 above weaknesses this product is worthless to anyone.  (Just a tip) 

I hope this helped, if you look to the right of this guide you will see pics of items listed in this guide for auction currently, (no, I don't sell any of them), and if you use the links above you'll find exactly what you need good luck!

Thanks for reading, if you liked the guide, please click "this guide was helpful below or at the top.

Addendum:  After review the "bmhack" or python software off of blogspot.com, I'm thuroughly convinced that it is impossible to upload and clear the information from your body bugg or gowear device.  Unless you have C++ skills or are able to write/understand code for programming, the hack for the body bugg is pretty much greek.  As much as I hate to pay a contract subscription fee monthly, it beats the alternative.  Another alternative to body bugg or go wear is called "Sensewear WMS"  But if you go to the website, type int seneswear dot com, you'll quickly notice that the sense wear device is identical to the body bugg v3 and go wearare identical.  Perhaps the fact you must lease sense wear and it is a medical device allows you a better web based interface; but I would hate to see the price difference, as we all know the minute something is labeled a "medical device" the price flies out the window,,,,,,,

Update: Effective November 17th 2009, Bodymedia, the parent company for the Body Bugg and Go Wear Fit devices rolled out new websites and new titles for their webpages.  Although nothing changes with the devices; the web sites will have more advanced looking charts and options on the pages for your activity monitoring.  These web pages allow you to look at your activities and compare goals on an easier access format.  The other additions include an "easier to read dashboard" much like the dashboard of a car, all information that your device has tracked and the goals you have set will beviewable in "all in one" dash board like view.  The desktop (called bodylink), and other simple click options allow you to quickly access and upload the information from your deivce quickly to your online account. 

Other options added is: