HRM accuracy?

DrG3n3

I'm using a New Balance N2 That I borrowed from a friend at work just to check out how these things worked. I put in my age, weight, upper and lower heart rate limits and it shows me what I burn throughout the day with these. How accurate do you guys think this thing can be? I just don't want to assume its right and over eat or anything. As of now, its been going for 5 hours and 22 minutes and says I burned 1326 calories today (walking around the lab, working on stuff, up stairs a few times, walking to and from work, general stuff) and I know the Heart Rate itself is accurate. Thanks for tips guys!

♥_Ellybean_♥

I found mine was not very accurate during daily use, because the strap was not reading correctly when I was sitting. I took a look at my highest HR and it said it was 240 which we all know is impossible. I was told from someone here too that they are not accurate for daily use.

deathstarclock

I'm curious to know the reading at the end of the day

BrendarB

keep in mind that your MFP is set based on the activity level you chose at the beginning. I have a desk job, so I chose sedentary, based on that an my goal weight loss per week it gives me my caloric baseline to shoot for daily. I don't use my HRM until I start my workout and those are the calories that I will partially eat back.

jkuhn71

I only use mine for measuring calorie burns during workouts (I have a Polar HRM). I've also heard that HRMs aren't meant to be used for all day logging. I've heard that BodyBugg and products similar to them are more accurate for daily calculations.

armaretta

Heart rate monitors are not calibrated to accurately measure burns at resting heart rates from regular daily activities. Also, if you drank any caffeine or consumed large amounts of sugar, that's going to jump your heart rate as well

DrG3n3

As far as I can tell the heart rate readings are accurate. Based on a medical tool. But I only plan to really use it for checking what it says I burn during workouts. I put my mfp n lightly active as I don't sit on my butt all day. Im curious what it says for activity if its not good for normal moving around.

deathstarclock

You can easily create discrepancies in what your heart rate is monitoring by simple tapping of the chest sensor. This includes the vibration from walking causing your shirt or blouse to bounce against the monitor and create a pulse that is way different than what your heart is beating. Another easy to way to interfere with the HRM's monitoring is by drinking and eating. No matter what you are consuming, the simple act of food or fluid passing through your esophagus (which is behind your heart) is going to create an erratic pulse detection. You can try this right now. Get a cup of water and start drinking it and watch your HRM. You'll see your bpm jump almost instantly.

This is all assuming you're using an HRM with a chest monitor.

DrG3n3

:O I should just wear it without a shirt! Nah, I'm kidding Thanks guys. I deleted my stuff for today, and just used it while I was working out. The cool thing is that it gives me pretty much the same reading as myfitnesspal