Fitbit or Polar F7

marianne_s

For Christmas I was faceed with the exact question;
If you are only interested in calories burned from walking/running {hip movement} then the FitBit is not a bad option. FitBits is now compatible with MFP.
However if you are looking to mesure your calorie burn for walking/running {hip movement}; other cardio activity and stregnth training then go with a HRM.
I did get a Polar FT7 and have found it a useful tool.

FitBits do not provide instant feedback, whereas with a HRM you can look at a readout and see your Heart Rate, great for Target Zonbe training.

FYI - HRMs are not really accurate for calorie burns recording strength training, because they mainly monitor the increase in cardiac output/oxygen uptake - which isn't consistent during the workout.

joanie152

I am a gadget guru who has the Fitbit, the Heart Rate Monitor and the body media device.

When I work out, I use both the HRM and the fit bit. In my opinion and experience the heart rate monitor gives you an extremely accurate read. The Fitbit and Body Media do not record accurately the calories burned during weights workouts but do okay during Cardio workouts.

I love the fit Bit because it can be worn all day during the day. A tip – wear the fit bit in the middle of your bra – unobtrusive that way. The Body Media is too big and is unattractive under shirts etc.

heybales

A tip – wear the fit bit in the middle of your bra – unobtrusive that way. The Body Media is too big and is unattractive under shirts etc.

The order of this sentence just made me laugh for two thoughts.

Does this mean I need to wear a bra to use the FitBit? I don't think I'll like that.

And the thought of the BodyMedia hanging from the bra under a shirt, I bet that was unattractive!

Just joking, funny visuals coming to mind in sick dazed mind.

Good observations and comments too. Sorry to detract.

SteveHunt113

I have both. As others have said, it's great for tracking your steps. But, it does not track well for calories burned during strength training. I used both during my workouts & it really underestimated my calorie burn. But, that makes sense since its not a heart rate monitor; it's not going to know how hard you're working while laying flat on your back doing a bench press.

I do like that the fitbit is now integrated with MFP & it's nice that there's no subscription fee.

Just want to point out, any HRM is going to over estimate your calories burned if you are doing traditional weight training (i.e. laying flat on your back doing bench presses). This is because your hear rate will respond quickly to the effort of moving the heavy weight and misinterpret that as continuous exercise instead of a single moment of exertion. If you are doing circuit weight training, then you'll get a more accurate picture of calories burned.

I think the BB does better here because it also takes into consideration body temperature. Your body temp goes up slower when lifting weights.