Please recommend HR tracker suited for strenuous exercise

sxb317

Hi,
I have a Fitbit Charge HR (older model) that works fine as a step tracker or during light exercise but does not read heart rate during strenuous, high impact exercise. I'm wondering if the newer models are better at this or can someone recommend another wrist fitness tracker that works better with sweating, etc. I don't want to buy another one if I'm going to have the same problem. I do Orange Theory workouts and don't like their trackers either. Appreciate the help.

BrianSharpe

Assuming that it's actually heart rate that you're interested in ideally you should get something with a chest strap (some of the newer Garmin optical/wrist ones have gotten pretty solid reviews) if you're trying to track calories none of them are terribly useful.

GemstoneofHeart

I use a polar H7 chest monitor and I love it. I got it for about $50 on amazon

OldAssDude

i recommend Garmin, Suunto, Polar. Also get a chest strap for gym type workouts. The optical sensor that come with these devices are great for cardio like running/biking type workouts, but not so good for weights or other gym type workouts where there is a lot of wrist flexion. you can use the OHR sensor for the cardio workouts, and the chest strap for the others.

rainbowbow

I can highly recommend any of the Garmin fenix series watches that come with a separate chest strap. Not only are they excellent, look great, etc. they are practically indestructible and will last you a VERY long time.

Cleosweetie

If you research, you'll see that, the optical heart rate monitors are just not that accurate. (What watches use.) Fitbit is getting sued in a class action lawsuit for the lack of accuracy.

I use a Polar cheststrap H10. I love it. I did a lot of research before I bought. I hesitated on buying one because I saw a few comments about from people about it being slightly uncomfortable. I do not mind it at all. And for a woman (me), it is really easy just to place it right under your the strap of your workout bra.

It does track calories. If anything, it underestimates, so I think that's a good thing. (I.e., it tells me I've burned about 200 calories after using the elliptical for 30 minutes, whereas the elliptical counter will say I've burned 325. I'd much rather have it underestimate.)

I could take a manual pulse heart rate to check myself, but there is something about seeing my heart rate and progress on my phone that is very motivating. Plus, Polar has an app (Polar flow) that tracks your workouts and you can see each work out on the calendar. That is very motivating too.

I can't recommend the chest strap enough!

MeanderingMammal

sxb317 wrote: »

I do Orange Theory workouts and don't like their trackers either.

HR is a meaningless metric for something like OTF, so it doesn't really matter what you get.

Essentially, of you're using HR as a measure of effort then you're not following the instruction. Lag and recovery rates becomes a significant factor in determining any useful guidance.

OldAssDude

here are some tests that i did comparing the built in optical heart rate sensors to chest strap heart rate sensors.

both tests are interval run/walk sessions comparing Garmin fenix 5 & fenix 5x to Suunto Ambit 3 Peak & Polar V800. These are all higher end devices than the fitbit and the optical heart rate sensors are probably a little mor accurate than cheaper devices.

test 1: Garmin fenix 5 OHR sensor compared to Suunto Ambit 3 Peak chest strap sesor

fenix 5
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2355269187

Ambit 3 peak
http://www.movescount.com/moves/move188319988#calendar-month=2017-12

test 2: Garmin fenix 5x OHR sensor compared to Polar V800 H7 heart rate strap

fenix 5x
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2399597341

V800
https://flow.polar.com/training/analysis/2038067590

you can see that they are pretty darn close for cardio type workouts.

never compared them for gym type workouts so cannot say for sure about that, but have read they are less accurate for those types of workouts.