Polar vs. Garmin - Best for tracking calories burned?

crissy1110
crissy1110 Posts: 29 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I recently purchased a Garmin GPS HRM/watch because I needed something that not only tracked calories, but also distance when I'm running outdoors. I really like my Garmin GPS watch, but I'm wondering if the HRM component is as good with tracking calories burned as the Polar watch.

Anyone have experience with both watches that could provide a little insight as to which watch is better with tracking calories burned during workouts, or if they're close in their tracking accuracy?

Thanks!

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Which model of Garmin did you get? (They use a variety of algorithms depending on the model)

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html

    Similarly, there are significant variations with Polar products depending on which model you're looking at.

    I have a Forerunner 610 and have found that it calculates caloric burns (when running) that are within 10% of the formula suggested by Runners World for net calories expended (.63 x weight in lbs x distance in miles)
  • crissy1110
    crissy1110 Posts: 29 Member
    Brian -- I have the Garmin Forerunner 110. I guess my concern is, when I'm doing an exercise other than running (cardio, weight training), I wonder how accurate it really is...
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Brian -- I have the Garmin Forerunner 110. I guess my concern is, when I'm doing an exercise other than running (cardio, weight training), I wonder how accurate it really is...

    Pretty much any HRM is inaccurate for anything other than steady state cardio but any of the Garmin X10 series are going to be at least as accurate as the better Polar models. (The 110 uses the 1st generation Firstbeat algorithm, one of the most accurate on the market)
  • crissy1110
    crissy1110 Posts: 29 Member
    Brian -- I have the Garmin Forerunner 110. I guess my concern is, when I'm doing an exercise other than running (cardio, weight training), I wonder how accurate it really is...

    Pretty much any HRM is inaccurate for anything other than steady state cardio but any of the Garmin X10 series are going to be at least as accurate as the better Polar models. (The 110 uses the 1st generation Firstbeat algorithm, one of the most accurate on the market)

    Good to know! Thank you for the info! I guess I'll just stick with my Garmin!

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