Question in Regards to Fitbit Surge Accuracy vs. Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) strap

ivette52490
ivette52490 Posts: 17 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello everyone,
I have a quick question in regards to the Fitbit Surge. I have been using it for less than a week and getting used to the technology. I do have a questions in regards to the accuracy of the heart rate monitor. Before I got my Fitbit Surge, I would use a Polar F4 with the heart rate monitor strap. It seemed to work for the most part pretty well (there were some issues when there was a lot of layers of clothing, but overall seemed to give me a good estimate). I have noticed that when I wear my Fitbit Surge during workouts, it might be underestimating nearly 100-150 calories during the same workouts when I used my polar in the past (I was averaging 100 cals per mile when I ran with my polar, and now I am doing about 75 cals per mile). I unfortunately left my polar F4 and strap at my parents home so I won't be able to work out with both of them and compare anytime soon. Has anyone encountered a similar problem with either brand or when they changed from one device to another? I was very excited about having a built-in HR monitor on a watch, but now, I am not sure if I bought something that is as accurate as a HRM strap. I would appreciate any input or advice. I also understand there is a possibility that the polar watch and HRM strap might have been counting too much calories, but I feel like there might be an issue with the HRM being in the wrist vs. the chest.

Replies

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    The HRM is assessed to be pretty accurate, comparable with consumer grade devices like the FT4. It is more vulnerable to misreads as a result of not being wrn correctly, any extranious light will affect the HR reading.

    They use similar alogirthms so the issue is the HR read. Just make sure you're wearing it tight enough.
  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    Here is a great review that might answer your questions.

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/01/fitbit-surge-depth-review.html
  • ohiotubagal
    ohiotubagal Posts: 190 Member
    Thanks for posting the link Chenoachem! I have been looking for that type of information too.
  • ivette52490
    ivette52490 Posts: 17 Member
    Thank you! That really helped. I am going to be trying both of them at the same time and see what happens. It's strange because the HR it gives me is the same given to me by my HRM strap and workout machines with HR sensors. The only difference is that it seems like calories are burning a lot slower on the Surge than the other HR monitoring devices. Who knows? :) maybe I have no HR at all!

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