Polar FT4 Calorie Burn Question

DianaM1020

Hey all,

I just bought a Polar FT4 HRM on ebay and I'm liking it so far. I'm confused about the HR readings it's giving me.
I'm 5 '4 and 138 lbs. The other day I walked 3.5 mph for 60 minutes and burned over 300 calories. It said I was at an average of 125 bpm. Then, I did a cardio work out dvd and my HR was around 80 the whole time and I burned 366 in 41 minutes. Last night I did 30 day Shred and it was around 70 the whole time and i only burned 160 calories in 30 minutes.

Just wondering how I could be at 125 bpm walking and at 80 doing a high intensity cardio dvd.....when i run on a treadmill the HR on the machine usually says around 165.

Do those numbers sound right?

Thanks

kerriBB37

Doesn't sound right to me. Make sure that you wet the sensor when you put it around your chest and that it's snug. Every once in a while mine will be "off" but when I adjust it, it kicks back to more believable numbers. What is your resting HR? I just want to make sure that you're just not naturally low.

DianaM1020

Well i'm not sure really. The day it was at 80 while i was working out, my resting was 50. I have been wetting it and wearing it snug. I'm really nervous there's something wrong with it because I bought it on ebay....but the seller had sold a lot with no complaints. And it came in original packaging....

bubblybabeuk

Yes it sounds like the sensors are not wet enough! Make sure that it sits right under your bust, its a bit of a pain unless wearing a sports bra, I don't but once it get it on its fine. Also make sure that it is tight enough, it maybe moving during exercise.

DianaM1020

Kerri, what do you think my HR should be doing a cardio dvd (biggest loser cardio max) or running, 6.0 mph. If it doesnt work i wonder if i can call Polar even though I didn't buy it from them directly

EHuntRN

Doing any cardio workout ur HR should at least be 135...or so I think...

tarrox

Kerri, what do you think my HR should be doing a cardio dvd (biggest loser cardio max) or running, 6.0 mph. If it doesnt work i wonder if i can call Polar even though I didn't buy it from them directly

I'm 5'4", 135lbs and my HR is usually around 165-170 when I'm really going hard. Hope this helps.

kerriBB37

Well for me, being a almost 30 overweight female, it is usually around 150-165 for those activities. My resting is about 90-100. So maybe for you (if your rest is 50) I'd say about 110 or higher!? to me that seems low, but I'm not sure! Do you have a person at your gym you could ask advice from? HR's are so individualized, ya know!

DianaM1020

Thanks guys! Yeah I think 80 during a work out dvd is low, but it said i was in the "zone" and i still burned 350 in 41 minutes, which is good. I don't know... I'm going to ask my gym guy tomorrow. Hopefully today when I go it acts right.

The first time i used it, it seemed right. Resting, 100 and walking 125-130.

DianaM1020

I'm 5'4", 135lbs and my HR is usually around 165-170 when I'm really going hard. Hope this helps.

What kind of HRM do you have? an FT4?

Thanks

tarrox

I'm 5'4", 135lbs and my HR is usually around 165-170 when I'm really going hard. Hope this helps.

What kind of HRM do you have? an FT4?

Thanks

Yes.

DianaM1020

bump

AHHHH! I'm an idiot. I had it set to view the % of heart rate and was reading it as my HR (70% not 70 bpm)....sorry for wasting all your time! Well, i'm glad it works....looking forward to posting tonight's work out...

THANKS

kerriBB37

no prob dear! lol