how do we know how many calories we burn?

hahahollylol

How do we know how many calories we are burning while working out? I've heard others mention something about a heart rate monitor.....is that an accurate what to tell? What do you recommend?

thanks

thirtyby40

I bought a heart rate monitor and was blown away the difference in what machines think you burn and what I was actually burning (it was about half). I would recommend an HRM for sure. It is a great tool if you are like me and want to lose weight but be able to eat with confidence that you are within your range.

hahahollylol

thanks!

CobraBubbles

I recommend checking out Polar HRMs. They are pretty much the industry standard. I recently picked up the FT4; $89.99, very affordable and one of the best things I have ever purchased myself!

Make sure to get one with a chest strap; the ones that are solely wrist watches are not reliable. Polar HRMs have a wristwatch so that you can read them while working out, but the chest strap has a device that transmits the info to your watch.