Should I get a HRM?

CharlieJuliette

I'm fairly sure that the calorie burn figures given on MFP for the workouts I do are overstated. However I am losing weight at a reasonable rate at the moment, so does it matter? If my weight loss stalls I could then think about getting a heart rate monitor. What do you think?

BamBam1113

What do you want one for?

chanstriste13

i dig mine! i like being able to see my heart rate, because a lot of times i think i am maxed out, but i'm really capable of pushing more. if you go for one, get one with a chast strap, not a wrist watch only. i highly recommend the polar ft4.

M_lifts

i havent got one. and personally i have done ok without it. its entirely up to you, if u are losing at a steady rate id say u dont need it.

missbrandyp

I have a bodybug and I live by it but I'd get a HRM if I didn't have it. I think it's great to be able to gauge things more accurate to YOU and how your body burns than just a generic number. It's the best way to gauge your fitness levels not just weight loss.

myukniewicz

I LOVE MY HRM!!!
i think everyone should get one. lol.
i wear it every time i workout, and it comes in handy when i take classes at my gym, like Zumba

aawh

I got one about a month ago. Although I would loose pretty consistently anyway I just wanted to know what I was burning. With getting a more accurate count of my calories burned, my weight loss per week has been up almost another 1/2 pound.

Kolohe71

i dig mine! i like being able to see my heart rate, because a lot of times i think i am maxed out, but i'm really capable of pushing more. if you go for one, get one with a chast strap, not a wrist watch only. i highly recommend the polar ft4.

I second the FT4... Very confortable and easy to use. Plus for those of us that do our workouts on the water (outrigger canoeing), or if you sweat a lot, it has the added benefit of being waterproof.

Robin1117

I waited about 9 months to get one, actually I was already maintaining by the time I got one, so not having one did not hinder weight loss. But it got to a point where I really needed to get more accurate, and I was driving myself crazy googling articles on how much people of my size burn typically doing x or y. I knew I was overestimating just didn't know by how much so would guess at 30%, 40% etc...but I was never really certain.

Once I bought an HRM the head games went away and I was much happier just having something to believe in so I could stop thinking about it. I'm sure some people on this site will tell you there is uncertainty in an HRM too--but I choose to believe it because you have to believe something, right?

My husband just joined about 2 months ago and at first I suggested he wait but then couldn't resist buying him one a few weeks ago---once you get used to it, you will love having one. He kind of scoffed at it at first but was won over in just a week.......

CharlieJuliette

I hadn't considered that a HRM would help me to get more out of my workout by knowing what level I'm working at. Got to be a good reason for getting one.

CharlieJuliette

So the polar ft4 seems popular. Any other recommendations?

aawh

So the polar ft4 seems popular. Any other recommendations?

I got the New Balance N4 for Women from Target. It was about $69. Has a chest strap and lots of features.

borys12

Hi,

I have one, as part of my workouts are at home. In a gym machines are not as accurate. I had nice workouts today :
10 min x trainer
10 min treadmill intervals 5km/h - 14 km/h 1 minute each
20 min treadmill intervals 6km/h - 8km/h incline 9 - 1 minute each
10 min stairmill intervals level 5 / level 10 1 minute each

and ... HRM showed 970 cal . I feel great You can really see advantage working at home, and lifting weights.

CharlieJuliette

Thank you for all the comments and advice. Really appreciated.