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To those who track their burn via portable electronic means for the applications above in bold what are you using and are happy with? Also which ones have you tried and recommend to avoid?
If your goal is for accuracy, a HRM will be more accurate than activity trackers such as Fitbit. Additionally, a HRM can give up a better estimate of what target zone you're in during a workout. I know Polar's HRMs are probably most popular but their options from Wahoo Fitness, Garmin TomTom, and others.
I am not expert, so please no one flame me for this... Personally, the Fitbit was a great motivator and a reality check on how inactive I was on any given day. The Fitbit step projections provide clarity, especially for those that live a sedentary life but may not be cognizant of it. It was a motivator to get off of my @ss. Along the journey, I did get a HRM to get better projections of calories burned. Fitbit and MyFitnessPal became a diary of my activity.
At the end of the day, I'm sure that HRMs and activity trackers have flaws but they provide good estimates of your progress.
If you need help on devices, google 'DC Rainmaker'. This fitness enthusiast has very detailed reviews on every device out there and a large following.
My old Polar HRM finally kicked the bucket after many years of service. I read a lot and visited DC Rainmaker several times, and I'm now saving up for a Polar M400, as it is both a running watch and serves as an activity tracker, the best of both worlds at a reasonable cost. I have had issues with palpitations over the years, so for me a heart rate monitor is a necessity while exercising, but it is nice to have the activity tracker as well, since I have an extremely sedentary job.
... I read a lot and visited DC Rainmaker several times, and I'm now saving up for a Polar M400, as it is both a running watch and serves as an activity tracker, the best of both worlds at a reasonable cost. ...
Karen, I'm also looking at the Polar M400. My only concern is that it currently does not support the foot pods, to monitor distance on a treadmill. The feature is supposed to be available but Polar has not provided a time estimate. Otherwise, I think the M400 is one of the nicest HRM+activity trackers available at that price point.
An HRM doesn't track how many calories you burned. It gives you feedback on your heart rate...hence the name. I know some of the devices have a calories burned function but I really don't think any of them are very accurate...or accurate enough.
And a lesser amount of calories is much more easily accomplished through diet rather than exercise.
I appreciate your effort to support your friend however. I'm not really familiar with fitbit. An HRM is a great tool for zone work, which is very important when doing cardio. If she uses it right, it can be motivating and effective. I would look towards helping to motivate her towards a different types of results rather than # of calories burned.
To those who track their burn via portable electronic means for the applications above in bold what are you using and are happy with? Also which ones have you tried and recommend to avoid?
I'm looking for one too; one that will track heart rate and calories burned, etc. Most everyone I work out with wear a chest strap - which I think would drive me INSANE.
Some of them have a fitbit AND another electronic tracker.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karen_s
My old Polar HRM finally kicked the bucket after many years of service. I read a lot and visited DC Rainmaker several times, and I'm now saving up for a Polar M400, as it is both a running watch and serves as an activity tracker, the best of both worlds at a reasonable cost. I have had issues with palpitations over the years, so for me a heart rate monitor is a necessity while exercising, but it is nice to have the activity tracker as well, since I have an extremely sedentary job.
FT4 has a HR transmitter strap worn around the chest. Gift was for a female and she is able to achieve a snug fit with placement just underneath the sports bra.
I do not know if I could get used to wearing out around my chest.
I borrowed the FT4 in question for two days. On Thursday past did all elliptical one hour at usual speed and resistance. HR matched the machine reader but calorie burn,(reprogrammed for self) was off as in calculating too many exhausted by 150 calories. Machine inputs are weight, age and gender. FT4 is the same.
Today did weights for 45 minutes and believe calorie burn rate was too high.(by about 200 calories) Then did 1 hr cardio boot camp and again calorie burn calculator believe is too high. (by about 300 calories)
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