HRM help - want no chest strap!

ghartleroad1

I'm now entering my 2nd year on MFP and am almost to my end weight. This means I need to start "recomping" (still learning what that is) and losing more body fat%, but not weight.

I feel like I need to be more precise in my calorie tracking, especially as I move into (dreaded) weight lifting. Please advise on non-chest strap options that sync with MFP. The non-chest is the priority; I'll manually enter it into MFP if I have to.

mwyvr

You don't need a heart rate monitor at all, chest-strap or not.

A heart rate monitor will not help you achieve "more precise" calorie tracking particularly for strength training.

Save your money!

DaddieCat

The fitbit heart rate monitors are pretty accurate based on my own experimentation, but mwyvr is correct. This will not really help you more in your calorie tracking. I use one just to be aware of my heart rate for sets and rest periods.

editorgrrl

ghartleroad1 wrote: »

I'm now entering my 2nd year on MFP and am almost to my end weight. This means I need to start "recomping" (still learning what that is) and losing more body fat%, but not weight.

I feel like I need to be more precise in my calorie tracking, especially as I move into (dreaded) weight lifting. Please advise on non-chest strap options that sync with MFP. The non-chest is the priority; I'll manually enter it into MFP if I have to.

Heart rate monitors don't track weight lifting. They're for steady-state cardio (like running).

I've maintained for more than a year with a Fitbit activity tracker. First a Flex, then I upgraded three months ago to a Charge HR. But I never log lifting—I just consider my burn extra "insurance" that I'm eating at maintenance. (In other words, I let it compensate for any inaccuracies in my logging.) YMMV.

If you do get a Fitbit (or have a Withings scale), sync it with Trendweight (it's free). Trendweight made my maintenance so easy. It shows your trend without the "noise" of water weight, and unlike MFP's "in five weeks" malarkey, it's been 100% accurate regarding whether or not I'm gaining, losing, or maintaining.

Your weight will fluctuate, so pick a goal range rather than a specific weight. Trendweight shows you a "green zone" of plus or minus two-point-something lbs.

CSARdiver

Dreaded? Come on get excited about this - you're going to be lifting heavy things!

Would say more on the accuracy of HRMs, but editorgrrl beat me to it.

Save your money, eat back carbs to build muscle, protein to maintain muscle.

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

HRM for cardio only; running, cycling, swimming etc. Not for weight lifting.

VegasFit

I don't even turn my HRM on while I'm lifting. That being said I am in the market for a new activity tracker. I'm looking at the Fitbit Charge HR for a non chest strap option.

fbinsc

Mio makes some good options for you, Google or check Amazon to find out more.

JoRocka

why are you dreading weight lifting?

and why would you want to monitor your heart while doing it?

OP- youmakanosense.