Activity Tracker and HRM for Weights

andyluvv

Hey there,

I'd like to know experience of people using the Polar Loop 2 and a HRM (The Wahoo Tickr) in comparison to a Fitbit.

I've had a Fitbit for ages (Charge HR) and I love it but it's hard to be accountable for the fitness with lifting and exercise through the HRM - I've also heard it's not as reliable.

I saw a deal for a Polar Loop 2 which sounds really decent and can integrate data from chest wraps - so I also purchased the Wahoo Tickr X and also got a new set of scales (I have the Withings but the data has been all over the place.


The products are below:
Polar Loop 2: https://www.polar.com/uk-en/products/get_active/fitness_crosstraining/polar_loop_2

Wahoo Tickr X http://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/wahoo-tickr-x-heart-rate-strap

Yunmai scale: http://gadgetsandwearables.com/2016/06/25/yunmai-mini/

MeanderingMammal

andyluvv wrote: »

....accountable for the fitness with lifting and exercise through the HRM - I've also heard it's not as reliable.

Well it depends what you hope to measure using the kit, but assuming that it's calorie expenditure it's a waste of time. HR doesn't act as a meaningful proxy for calorie expenditure in that scenario.

andyluvv

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

andyluvv wrote: »

....accountable for the fitness with lifting and exercise through the HRM - I've also heard it's not as reliable.

Well it depends what you hope to measure using the kit, but assuming that it's calorie expenditure it's a waste of time. HR doesn't act as a meaningful proxy for calorie expenditure in that scenario.

Which is why I've sought out a proper chest strap heart rate monitor... I thought I had made that clear? Lol

MeanderingMammal

andyluvv wrote: »

Which is why I've sought out a proper chest strap heart rate monitor... I thought I had made that clear? Lol

And HR isn't a meaningful proxy for calorie approximation in the circumstances you describe.

It doesn't matter whether you're measuring that HR using electrical or optical means, it doesn't provide a valid basis for the approximation.

capaul42

What they're saying is that HR monitors are mostly for steady state cardio. They don't give a good calorie burn estimation for anything else.

sijomial

Two problems:
There isn't a direct relationship between HR and calorie expenditure. Especially for non-aerobic exercise a basic HRM is likely to over-estimate badly.

A movement sensor doesn't know how much weight you are moving.

How do you think the gadgets you listed will overcome these issues?


My suggestion is if you are not planning on using a HRM as a cardio training aid (not as a calorie counter - which it isn't) then save your money.

Simply log your weights as "strength training" to get a rough estimate based on METS. It's free and as weight training isn't a big calorie burner I don't think it's worth trying to be any more precise.