Fitbit vs heart monitor

heartworth9

I got some birthday money and am looking at a more fine tuned way to figure out calories burned. What do you all recommend?

Thanks,
Deborah

jaz050465

If you do a search uou will find loads of posts on this.

Willbenchforcupcakes

If you're trying to figure out how many calories you burn all day (your TDEE), go for the fitbit. I have the zip, and love it. Even set at very active, even on a rest day, I usually wind up with extra calories just because I move that much (an average day for me sees me clock 10+ miles). I also have a polar FT4 that I use for any workouts that the fitbit won't track properly, and I love that to.

jaz050465

Also do a search for Bodymedia Fit which is worn all day but more accurate than a fitbit.

dcmitchell01

I have a FitBit One. I does track TDEE, but links with MFP and adds in exercise calories automatically (unless the connection is down as it seems to be today). I am happy with my FitBit. It doesn't document strength training well, though because in general you might be sitting or lying fairly still. When I go to the gym and do 30min on the ellipical and strength training too, it usually has me around 350-400 cal, which is believable if compared with the ellipical's number of 300-325. I figure 50cal might be close for another 30-45 min of strength, maybe....:ohwell: I just ordered Chalean Extreme - so excited to see what my little FitBit thinks about that!

shadow2soul

I have both a Fitbit Zip and a heart rate monitor. I think using both together is the best bet. Fitbit syncs with mfp, but isn't quite accurate for all exercises, which is where a HRM comes in. I personally love my fitbit and if I had to choose between a fitbit and a HRM, I'd go for a fitbit. Fitbit helps me get a better idea of what my overall burn is, while my HRM is only good for cardio exercises.



Alternatively there is a watch called Basis (which is way out of my price range with $199 price tag). The Basis is an activity monitor similar to BodyMedia Fit (with the skin sensors), but unlike Bodymedia fit, it is consistently monitoring your HR. It also doesn't have a subscription fee to view the data it collects (that I am aware of), where as Bodymedia does.

jonnythan

HRMs are not good.

jaz050465

I have both a Fitbit Zip and a heart rate monitor. I think using both together is the best bet. Fitbit syncs with mfp, but isn't quite accurate for all exercises, which is where a HRM comes in. I personally love my fitbit and if I had to choose between a fitbit and a HRM, I'd go for a fitbit. Fitbit helps me get a better idea of what my overall burn is, while my HRM is only good for cardio exercises.



Alternatively there is a watch called Basis (which is way out of my price range with $199 price tag). The Basis is an activity monitor similar to BodyMedia Fit (with the skin sensors), but unlike Bodymedia fit, it is consistently monitoring your HR. It also doesn't have a subscription fee to view the data it collects (that I am aware of), where as Bodymedia does.

I may be wrong but unread a post saying it DOESN'T constantly monitor HR and the OP was sending it back.

shadow2soul

I have both a Fitbit Zip and a heart rate monitor. I think using both together is the best bet. Fitbit syncs with mfp, but isn't quite accurate for all exercises, which is where a HRM comes in. I personally love my fitbit and if I had to choose between a fitbit and a HRM, I'd go for a fitbit. Fitbit helps me get a better idea of what my overall burn is, while my HRM is only good for cardio exercises.



Alternatively there is a watch called Basis (which is way out of my price range with $199 price tag). The Basis is an activity monitor similar to BodyMedia Fit (with the skin sensors), but unlike Bodymedia fit, it is consistently monitoring your HR. It also doesn't have a subscription fee to view the data it collects (that I am aware of), where as Bodymedia does.

I may be wrong but unread a post saying it DOESN'T constantly monitor HR and the OP was sending it back.

This is what the FAQ says on their site, which is what led me to think it did:

Basis focuses on heart rate patterns throughout the day and night to help people get a comprehensive picture of their health.

Basis does not measure minute-by-minute for specific athletic heart rate training or medical uses.

Basis automatically measures and reports resting heart rate daily - an important indicator of your overall health.

I guess it could mean that it checks your HR automatically at random points throughout the day.

And according to this video it checks HR 24/7:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnpher_basis-health-and-heart-rate-monitor_tech#.UdthWPlJ4ns

Here's a review that shows screenshots of the reports you can view and the HR looks to be constantly throughout the day, but does say that it has a heard time detecting HR's over 150bpm (probably because it's on your wrist with no chest strap).

http://gizmodo.com/5992356/basis-b1-review-the-best-activity-tracker-despite-one-critical-flaw