HRM or fitness tracker??

gypsyrose85

Ok I have been debating on geting a fitbit or jawbone up...but....how acurate are they? I would think a HRM would tell you better how many calories you are buring since you are tracking the heart rate not just movements. A hike going up a mountain is going to burn more calories than walking on flat land. I like the FT idea because of the sleep monitor. So what is your opinion? Is a HR monitor better than a fitness tracker? would it be best to use both together? is there a HRM that connects to MFP?? What brand would you recommended for both?

sophiek1964

I have a Polar Loop which is an activity tracker. I also got the Polar bluetooth HRM chest strap that works with the Polar Loop. Each was about $99 which gives me both the activity tracker and heart rate monitor.

You need a chest strap HRM to get a good calorie burned/heart rate reading for aerobic exercise sessions.

missyjg99

I have a polar T4 and until recently used the fitbit flex. I am not a fitbit lover. I am generally very active and it way over estimated my calories burned and the number of steps I took. So I broke up with fitbit. But that being said, I know many many people who absolutely love it so I guess it's different for each person. I know many people who use both.
I love being as accurate as I can with calories in vs calories out. It makes things so simple. That's why I'm just sticking with my HRM. I recommend the polar. So my vote is for HRM. It really depends on how you are going to use it. Do you want something motivating to keep you/get you moving? Then the fitbit would be good. If you want something to motivate you to burn more calories and increase your heartrate during workouts? Then HRM. Depends on how you will use it. That's my experience on it.

Escloflowne

I found the fitness tracker useless because I like to bike, it wouldn't count the calories because it wasn't actually in motion unless I put it on my calf and it still wasn't accurate.

teabee17587

hrmm trackers are expensive?

gypsyrose85

I want something that will motivate me to get going in general but also something that lets me know what I am burning. The sleep tracker (i never wake rested) is what has be debating on a fitness tracker.

I have a polar T4 and until recently used the fitbit flex. I am not a fitbit lover. I am generally very active and it way over estimated my calories burned and the number of steps I took. So I broke up with fitbit. But that being said, I know many many people who absolutely love it so I guess it's different for each person. I know many people who use both.
I love being as accurate as I can with calories in vs calories out. It makes things so simple. That's why I'm just sticking with my HRM. I recommend the polar. So my vote is for HRM. It really depends on how you are going to use it. Do you want something motivating to keep you/get you moving? Then the fitbit would be good. If you want something to motivate you to burn more calories and increase your heartrate during workouts? Then HRM. Depends on how you will use it. That's my experience on it.

kathdela

I use both. I use my fitbit to help motivate me and to get an idea of how active I am on an average day.

I use my HRM when I am doing any sort of intentional exercise.

kimnsc

While I have a fitbit I wouldn't recommend it. It randomly removed steps, calories (which I think it over estimates) and very active minutes. It's hard to track if they randomly disappear. I would go with the Polar Loop and include a chest strap for HRM. I have always been pleased with my Polar products.

gypsyrose85

Does it have a sleep tracker???

While I have a fitbit I wouldn't recommend it. It randomly removed steps, calories (which I think it over estimates) and very active minutes. It's hard to track if they randomly disappear. I would go with the Polar Loop and include a chest strap for HRM. I have always been pleased with my Polar products.

lkhaycook

Do you have a smartphone? I have an app called 'Sleep Time' that tracks my sleep and I have a friend that uses the app 'Sleep as Android'. It works well for me. Then I have a Garmin 305 with a heart rate monitor that I wear when I exercise. (I don't think it would work wearing it over an entire day but Garmin may have another product that would).

laystarr

I have a body media that I've been using for a little over a year. When I do cardio I use my polar HRM FT4 for accuracy of calories burned. The body media tracks the calories, but to find out a time period of calories burned you would have to add them up. All in all I love both of them used together. If I had to choose it would be the HRM. I vote HRM!

gypsyrose85

I do but it's a bit outdated with android 4.1

Do you have a smartphone? I have an app called 'Sleep Time' that tracks my sleep and I have a friend that uses the app 'Sleep as Android'. It works well for me. Then I have a Garmin 305 with a heart rate monitor that I wear when I exercise. (I don't think it would work wearing it over an entire day but Garmin may have another product that would).

SueInAz

I use both. I use my fitbit to help motivate me and to get an idea of how active I am on an average day.

I use my HRM when I am doing any sort of intentional exercise.

+1

I love my Fitbit and it definitely motivates me to be more active. I use my Garmin 410 when I am running.

gypsyrose85

do any HRMs connect with MFP

gypsyrose85

and has anyone experianced the jawbone up??

SueInAz

do any HRMs connect with MFP

Check the apps area. I don't believe an HRM will "connect" directly to MFP but certain apps connect with MFP that will connect with a HRM.

AnthonyThrashD

I began with a FitBit, but found it completely useless and inaccurate. I switched to an Ironman chest strap HRM, and absolutely love it! It doesn't synch with MFP, but if you're going for accuracy of CICO, I don't think you can beat a chest strap HRM for tracking calories burned during aerobic sessions!

good luck

CrusherKun

I use a MIO Link - its a wrist only HRM that has won numerous awards for its accuracy. only $99 and it syncs with Endomondo, which in turn syncs with MFP.

I love this little thing. Battery life is 7-10 hours, so enough to get a week or more of workouts in before recharge (usb recharge cable). It doesn't have a display on the watch (if you want that the MIO Alpha is available but is $100 more) but it does have an LED that flashes a different color to tell you when your HR is getting into certain zones. I have gotten so much more out of my workouts and wish I would have bought one last year when I started down my path!

codycsweet

It's a personal choice. I have both and rarely use my HRM anymore. Most of the activities I do Zumba, walks, etc are step based. I do lift but even a HRM isn't accurate for this. I found that my Fitbit burn for a step based activity and HR bur. were really close in calorie burns. I wear my Fitbit zip every day and it has made me aware of how little I used to move and how much more I move now. I like seeing the step numbers increase I like to see were I am in relation to others and cheer them on. I love that it links to MFP.

jtw158

I had a Jawbone UP over a year ago, I liked the interface and it was comfortable but after 3 months or so it stopped charging, they sent me a new one and that worked for maybe a month then I gave up on it.

I have a Body media armband now and I like it. I am not certain how accurate the calories are but I can at least use it for comparison from day to day.

If you are looking for accurate calories burned doing exercise a HRM is much better but I don't have any recommendations for which one to get.

Good Luck.

SuMcP

I've used a couple of different activity trackers and HRM's. Benefits of the HRM is accuracy of your workout burns, benefits of the boy monitor is that it measures all the other stuff too. At the moment I have a Jawbone UP 24, but you have to tell it when you are going to exercise and what that exercise is. I had a Bodymedia arm band which was more accurate, but big and not shower proof. Also with the UP, you have to record when you are going to bed for it to measure your sleep. I hear Apple are producing their own BM later this year - it might be worth waiting for the reviews? The UP is quite good, but I think it could be improved, it's not comfortable to wear an HRM all the time, but you could do it if you want to accurately measure your TDEE and take it from there. hope this helps

SameMe_JustLess

I have the JawboneUp and love it! Keeps me motivated, tells me how I sleep, etc. BUT I do not sync it to MFP, nor do I care how many calories it says I burn. It is simply for motivation. I have a Garmin Forerunner 220 with a cheststrap for when I work out. If I am at the gym (not walking or running), I just turn the GPS and it is still a HRM.

Basically, what are you looking for? Motivation throughout the day or just a HRM to see how much you burn during a workout?

Good luck!!

SLippi

Funny timing for this to pop up. I have a Fitbit Flex (Activity Tracker) and a Polar FT7 (Heart Rate Monitor).

I bought the FT7 about 2 years ago when I was doing Insanity to keep track of calories burned/heart rate/etc. I continued to use it at the gym during cardio days. I stopped using it for awhile, but for reasons mentioned below, I started using it again. I have to say for cardio based activities it's very nice to see what your heart rate is and how many calories you actually burned.

About a year ago I decided to buy a Fitbit Flex since I was walking a lot and wasn't using my HRM to track walks/jogs/etc. I was curious how many steps I did in a day, like you I was thinking the sleep activity tracker would be awesome since every article about getting in shape states you need proper rest. I can honestly say the sleep tracker, for me, is useless on the Flex. You turn it on manually and then it monitors how active you are. But if you can't sleep and you are reading/watching tv/etc and aren't moving around it counts that as sleep. For me at least I have problems going to sleep some days and it can be hours of inactivity physically that isn't actual sleep (aka just laying there trying to sleep). I do love the Flex though, on days where I haven't been active when I check my dots and only see the initial one it does motivate me to get out and do something. To me at least that's worth the $99.

Two additional things to note about the Flex that I have found in my time using it. First would be the band only lasted about 6 months. I bought 3 more bands for $30 at Best Buy so that should last me for 2 years or so which I would assume is about what the lifespan of the Flex would be, but who knows. Electronic gadgets tend to have 2 year lifespans so I'm just assuming. I would plan on buying some bands, or at least knowing you'll likely need more, upfront. The second thing is I've recently started cycling and find my Flex absolutely worthless when cycling. The constant vibrations turn on/off the sleep tracker constantly and drain the battery. So I've recently started using my HRM again for cycling. There are workaround people find like putting the flex in your shoe laces and things but I'd rather just take it off and use the HRM since the Flex won't accurately track cycling anyway.

I haven't looked at the newer products that have come out recently, but I'd say get the Flex if you need motivation to get moving. Get a HRM if you just want more accurate calories burned and the ability to track your heart rate. If you want both and can afford it buying both would be beneficial.

newcs

If you're mostly walking as your activity, Fitbit might work well for you, though I have heard many reports of it overestimating calories burned. Although my walking varies each day, I don't walk purposely for fitness - I'd rather run or lift or do something of a higher intensity. I have both a Fitbit (for about 3 months now) and a Polar FT4 (for about 3yrs now). I prefer the HRM because it more accurately tracks intensity. I prefer to estimate my normal calorie burn to set my daily goal and then use the HRM to add in calories when I do something over and above (running, lifting, etc). I personally wouldn't have bought the Fitbit but work gave it out as part of a wellness program.

newcs

Also...I've replaced the battery in my HRM once and it was after at least 2yrs. I have to charge the Fitbit at least once a week. So that's a huge drawback for me since I don't want to have to charge one more thing.

gypsyrose85

I think I will end up with both. I want accuracy but i need motivation as well.

Funny timing for this to pop up. I have a Fitbit Flex (Activity Tracker) and a Polar FT7 (Heart Rate Monitor).

I bought the FT7 about 2 years ago when I was doing Insanity to keep track of calories burned/heart rate/etc. I continued to use it at the gym during cardio days. I stopped using it for awhile, but for reasons mentioned below, I started using it again. I have to say for cardio based activities it's very nice to see what your heart rate is and how many calories you actually burned.

About a year ago I decided to buy a Fitbit Flex since I was walking a lot and wasn't using my HRM to track walks/jogs/etc. I was curious how many steps I did in a day, like you I was thinking the sleep activity tracker would be awesome since every article about getting in shape states you need proper rest. I can honestly say the sleep tracker, for me, is useless on the Flex. You turn it on manually and then it monitors how active you are. But if you can't sleep and you are reading/watching tv/etc and aren't moving around it counts that as sleep. For me at least I have problems going to sleep some days and it can be hours of inactivity physically that isn't actual sleep (aka just laying there trying to sleep). I do love the Flex though, on days where I haven't been active when I check my dots and only see the initial one it does motivate me to get out and do something. To me at least that's worth the $99.

Two additional things to note about the Flex that I have found in my time using it. First would be the band only lasted about 6 months. I bought 3 more bands for $30 at Best Buy so that should last me for 2 years or so which I would assume is about what the lifespan of the Flex would be, but who knows. Electronic gadgets tend to have 2 year lifespans so I'm just assuming. I would plan on buying some bands, or at least knowing you'll likely need more, upfront. The second thing is I've recently started cycling and find my Flex absolutely worthless when cycling. The constant vibrations turn on/off the sleep tracker constantly and drain the battery. So I've recently started using my HRM again for cycling. There are workaround people find like putting the flex in your shoe laces and things but I'd rather just take it off and use the HRM since the Flex won't accurately track cycling anyway.

I haven't looked at the newer products that have come out recently, but I'd say get the Flex if you need motivation to get moving. Get a HRM if you just want more accurate calories burned and the ability to track your heart rate. If you want both and can afford it buying both would be beneficial.

cwolfman13

Two different tools for completely different things. Fitbits and Jawbones, etc are basically fancy pedometers that estimate your calorie requirements from day to day type of activity and movement. They are going to be less accurate for determining burns from aerobic exercise and if you, for example, cycle as your primary exercise they really aren't accurate at all.

HRM's provide reasonably good burn estimates for aerobic events...but they are pretty much worthless for any kind of anaerobic activity like lifting and aren't going to be accurate for determining burns outside of actual aerobic exercise...i.e. it's not going to give you an accurate calorie burn if you just wear the HRM all day long...

gypsyrose85

See that is my problem. I don't just walk. I hike. I climb hills, I climb over rocks and fallen trees. Thats why I am thinking a HRM would suit me better because that burns more calories than walking on a flat surface and gets your HR up more.

If you're mostly walking as your activity, Fitbit might work well for you, though I have heard many reports of it overestimating calories burned. Although my walking varies each day, I don't walk purposely for fitness - I'd rather run or lift or do something of a higher intensity. I have both a Fitbit (for about 3 months now) and a Polar FT4 (for about 3yrs now). I prefer the HRM because it more accurately tracks intensity. I prefer to estimate my normal calorie burn to set my daily goal and then use the HRM to add in calories when I do something over and above (running, lifting, etc). I personally wouldn't have bought the Fitbit but work gave it out as part of a wellness program.

leggup

Activity Trackers
-Glorified pedometers
-Some can track whether you are asleep or not. However, if you wait for sleep to come while laying still, it will think you're asleep when you're not.
-Very trendy
-You will have a better understanding of how much you move around in daily life
-You will have to turn it off for some fitness activities, like dance, since it will get confused. Or any other activity that causes you to flail your arms around.

HRM
-Only good for steady-state cardio (walking, jogging, sprinting, cycling).
-Cannot be used for calorie counts for daily activities, like walking around your office, or sports that have a lot of stop and go (tennis, HIITs, basketball, dance).
-Worn around the chest. May have watchband that displays results. May not.

lkhaycook

If you are looking to track how active you are in your daily life (at work & such), you can do it with just a good pedometer. Omron Pocket Pedometers are ~$25 and are very accurate. Then switch over to a HRM for times you are intentionally exercising.

SnuggleSmacks

I have the Bodymedia tracker, and it was tested as much more accurate than the others. It's worn on the upper arm rather than the wrist, and it has sensors for more than just steps - it also measures changes in skin temp and moisture, which indicate effort, so it can tell the difference between energy expended during a leisurely walk and a hike up a steep hill.

It also does sleep tracking, which is interesting but not terribly useful. Some people like it. It also syncs with MFP.

One of the most convenient things it does is export reports to Excel so you can see over the course of time how many calories you burned and ate, and how your weight was affected.

Its only drawback is a monthly fee, but it's only $6, and I figure my health is worth that.