Can you use a Heart Rate Monitor for every day life?

kinni101

Hi- been looking at alot of posts and i know alot of people recommend the Polar watches.

However, i realise you have to wear a chest strap. I was hoping for a watch that would clearly tell me how many cals i have burnt a day. Not just at the gym, but i would not want to wear the chest strap all day, every day!! It would feel awkward and i doubt it would last that long..

Any idea's please

thanks

Eric_DeCastro

I wear mine from 5am to 6pm. I walk during the day at work and take data for that (4miles) and i run when I get home 4.5miles and take data for that. i don't take it until I'm done. I don't even notice anymore.

brianpperkins

HRMs only calculate calories for specific steady state cardio activities. Trying to use one for all day calculation ... weight lifting, sleeping, sitting around ... will not produce an accurate result.

tycho_mx

sure you can. But unfortunately, they are not that accurate.

To begin with, lets say your base HR is 60. If you're doing 110 bpm, your calorie burn would depend on whether you are cycling, running, carrying a heavy weight, or simply had too much coffee.

I'm serious - check "HR drift" on a running/cycling board and you'll see that for the same output (level of work) HR can vary a lot, 20 or more BPM. If I am rested, an easy recovery ride (15 MPH) is done at less than 100 bpm. If I am truly cooked, it will be done at 120 or 125. Even more funny - I ride indoors a lot. I was doing a moderate ride last week while watching a horror movie. During the scary bits my HR would go from 140 to 160! I don't think that counts as strenuous work just because I was afraid

Maybe a better alternative is an "activity tracker" . These are small wearable electronics that automatically log your activity through speed, acceleration, gps location, etc. The best ones allegedly can differentiate strength workouts (e.g. a bench press from a military press from a squat), and can record HR without a strap. Your mileage may vary - I don't own one.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404445,00.asp

Chieflrg

No, it is for a steady state of cardio. So basically things that get your heart rate pretty high. Lifting weights will give you a false reading as well as walking unless really fast paced. Obviously wouldn't want to use it for every day activities...

jaz050465

No, it is for a steady state of cardio. So basically things that get your heart rate pretty high. Lifting weights will give you a false reading as well as walking unless really fast paced. Obviously wouldn't want to use it for every day activities...

There are loads of activity trackers out there. Do a search on here and you will get lots of info.
Things to look at are;
fitbit (One, Zip and Flex- Force has been removed from sale but will come back in one shape or another)
Nike Guelband SE
Jawbone Up 24
Mio
Basis B1
amiigo

The following link to HRM for when you exercise
Polar Loop
Garmin Vivofit

determinedbutlazy

No, it is for a steady state of cardio. So basically things that get your heart rate pretty high. Lifting weights will give you a false reading as well as walking unless really fast paced. Obviously wouldn't want to use it for every day activities...

There are loads of activity trackers out there. Do a search on here and you will get lots of info.
Things to look at are;
fitbit (One, Zip and Flex- Force has been removed from sale but will come back in one shape or another)
Nike Guelband SE
Jawbone Up 24
Mio
Basis B1
amiigo

The following link to HRM for when you exercise
Polar Loop
Garmin Vivofit

^This!

DavPul

No, it is for a steady state of cardio. So basically things that get your heart rate pretty high. Lifting weights will give you a false reading as well as walking unless really fast paced. Obviously wouldn't want to use it for every day activities...

There are loads of activity trackers out there. Do a search on here and you will get lots of info.
Things to look at are;
fitbit (One, Zip and Flex- Force has been removed from sale but will come back in one shape or another)
Nike Guelband SE
Jawbone Up 24
Mio
Basis B1
amiigo

The following link to HRM for when you exercise
Polar Loop
Garmin Vivofit

this, except i'm not sure how bodymedia got left off this list

jaz050465

No, it is for a steady state of cardio. So basically things that get your heart rate pretty high. Lifting weights will give you a false reading as well as walking unless really fast paced. Obviously wouldn't want to use it for every day activities...

There are loads of activity trackers out there. Do a search on here and you will get lots of info.
Things to look at are;
fitbit (One, Zip and Flex- Force has been removed from sale but will come back in one shape or another)
Nike Guelband SE
Jawbone Up 24
Mio
Basis B1
amiigo

The following link to HRM for when you exercise
Polar Loop
Garmin Vivofit

this, except i'm not sure how bodymedia got left off this list

Oops you're right. There was talk of them bringing out the Core 2 last year. but intoning has happened yet- possibly due to the fact it got bought up by a Jawbone.