Is a HRM Really Worth it?

MJR819

I'm wondering if getting a HRM is really worth it. Before we go too far, I'm not looking for another gadget to have to try and read things from or plug into the computer to get results. What I was looking for was to be able to use it with my phone (Android phone) since I always have it with me for music and such. I know that they have the bluetooth versions of HRMs that will work with apps on the market (like endo or sports tracker), but I've read that they don't take heart rate into account when calculating calories burned. I know both apps say they are working on utilizing the heart rate in the calculations, but who knows how long it will really be before they do.

So, would it be beneficial to just abandon the hope of using my phone to track the info (HR / calories) and just go with one of the others?

castadiva

BUMP! I'd like to know about this too. HRMs seem to be so expensive, and complicated, and I'd love something simple I can use with my iPhone.

ChristineW82

I went ahead and invested in a HRM. I just got it though and haven't figured it out yet. :grumble:

nshannon14

I spent about $100 on one about a year ago but it is complicated and I barely ever use it. The logic behind using it makes total sense, but for me at the point I'm not sure it is worth the hassle. I am pretty out of shape still despite a month of exercising and I have a pretty good idea when my body is working at 75-80%. It isn't hard to get it there at the moment. As I get in better shape I probably will take the time to figure it out and start using it again just so I can see where to push myself. I think this all depends on what exactly you are trying to do.

dad106

I know Polar makes a strap that works through bluetooth with a smart phone.. as far as what it's called or how much it costs, I don't know.

If you do decide to go the traditional HRM route, most important thing is to get one with a chest strap. I really like the Polar brand(there a ton to choose from depending on your price range and what features that you want).

maradanielle

I got a really cheapo HRM off amazon for like $30.00 it works pretty well but doesn't tell me calories burned so I have this crazy long formula to figure it out, but what I burn is way over what MFP has in the data base. So if I'm feeling stingy I'll use the calories burned from HRM but normally I just use whats in the database here.

Givemewings

I use a Polar FT4 and I love it. I wouldn't be without mine. I use apps like endomondo and B210K in conjunction with it. However, I have to input the info on the HRM. I still find it very encouraging and find it helpful to monitor my heart rate and cals burned.

BerryH

I got warned off the Polar Bluetooth one you can use with phone apps, apparently it doesn't work that well.

I used HRMs for years, but honestly I've made much more progress using rate of perceived exertion (RPE), plus I get out if the house much faster (or at all!) if I don't have to faff around with gadgets.

katkins3

For me, my HRM was the best investment I made. Even gym membership is second.
I eat my calories back. How will I know, as accurately as current science will allow, what I burned, (and how much I have available, since I choose to eat the calories back)?
I like to deal as much as possible in reality. I want to know how many calories in and how many calories burned.
Being able to make informed decisions has helped me go from 230 pounds to 175, so far.

david_swinstead

I got warned off the Polar Bluetooth one you can use with phone apps, apparently it doesn't work that well.

I used HRMs for years, but honestly I've made much more progress using rate of perceived exertion (RPE), plus I get out if the house much faster (or at all!) if I don't have to faff around with gadgets.

^^ This

Sometimes its easy to get obsessed with more and more gadgety goodness, when all you need to do is just get out of the house and start running. RPE is an easy way to judge exercise without messing about with an HRM.

therealangd

I go by RPE as well. It works for me.

I've bought HRM's and ended up returning them, or breaking them, or not using them for one reason or another. I'm done spending the money.

marbit

For me it was all about math and maximizing my efficiency. I agree, getting up and moving is the best thing, so you dont actually NEED an HRM. All you need is a pair of running shoes and the will to do it. For me personally though, I need the daily math to remain motivated. I have a polar FT60 that has a bunch of features, but I really only use it to ensure I am maximizing the efficiency of my workouts, and to see how many calories I burned so I can log it in my diary. I can trust the numbers from the HRM more than the ones from MFP or the machines at the gym. So, my advice is you dont need one, and can work out fine without it, but its a really useful tool to have if you like to play the numbers game.

xSophia19

yes HRM's are defo worth it!! You dont even need a really expensive one! There all pretty good, even the cheaper ones! I have got a cheap one, and it works just a good as those more expensive ones out there! If you want to accuratley see how many calories you are burning, then i suggest in getting one! MFP over estimates on some workouts! Soo its best to get a HRM.. I would look around first, look online at different ones, and read the reviews on them! And then go buy one

LorinaLynn

I've been happy with my progress using MFP's estimates, so I never felt a need to get a HRM.

mstaser

I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back because they were just way to complicated and only did the calorie burn while running or walking. I finally got a Polar FT4 and love it. It does have a chest strap, but it is so easy to use and it does one thing. It measures your heart rate and tells your calorie burn. It will calculate your target rates and such, but it takes minuted for initial set up and a push of a button and your ready. I like this one because I can use it for weights, running or anything. Don't have to be moving, just need a heartbeat.

ladylu11

I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back because they were just way to complicated and only did the calorie burn while running or walking. I finally got a Polar FT4 and love it. It does have a chest strap, but it is so easy to use and it does one thing. It measures your heart rate and tells your calorie burn. It will calculate your target rates and such, but it takes minuted for initial set up and a push of a button and your ready. I like this one because I can use it for weights, running or anything. Don't have to be moving, just need a heartbeat.

ditto!

courtnoga

I have a polar hrm (it was about 60 bucks on amazon) I use it every day and I love it. Its way more accurate (for me) than MFP estimates.

tammeegirl

I love mine, its probably old school compared to what is available....but its the strap I wear right below my bra line, CANT EVEN TELL ITS THERE.....with the watchband/monitor worn on the wrist.....and I found it used on Craigslist, was still in box with directions and everything for $30, I thought well at least this way if I dont like it or just dont use it I wont have a huge investment in it. Its made by Polar. Same brand I used with a personal trainer some years ago.....I love it. :bigsmile:

hsmithway

I think some of it depends on your personality. Gadgets are fun and exciting for me, so I find my HRM both informative and motivational. And I'm a little anal-retentive, so RPE always irks me because it's not very precise, plus I'm a person who tends to under-rate my exertion (or pain, don't get me started on the pain scale) when using that system as a measure.

I have the Polar FT4, and I use it to make sure I'm in my target range during cardio, and to calculate the calories burned afterwards.

jaxCarrie

I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back because they were just way to complicated and only did the calorie burn while running or walking. I finally got a Polar FT4 and love it. It does have a chest strap, but it is so easy to use and it does one thing. It measures your heart rate and tells your calorie burn. It will calculate your target rates and such, but it takes minuted for initial set up and a push of a button and your ready. I like this one because I can use it for weights, running or anything. Don't have to be moving, just need a heartbeat.

^^^This! I love my Polar FT4. Keeps me honest with my calorie burn.

Aperture_Science

I've been a runner for years, and for most of those I've been carefully monitoring my cals using web sites such as MFP. I tried a cheap HRM once and hated it. I found it fiddly and just another thing to mess about with when I could be actually running. I'm sure I would have had a better experience with a better HRM, but since I've never had the urge to buy one.

Note: I like gadgets, I like computers, I like spreadsheets, I like tracking my metrics. So in theory a HRM should be right up my street. But it's not.

MJR819

Yeah, I'm not really set on one, but I'd definitely like to be more accurate than what's on this site or the apps on the phone that estimate calories based on average times, distance and such. I'm just as happy setting my goals based on distance and just bettering myself when I'm out hiking or walking or running.

jelicaa

I love my HRM. I bought a Timex Ironman Triathalon...through Craigslist for $20! Included the chest strap. nothing wrong with and works awesome! Corresponds to what my bootcamp tells me I should be burning...between 500 and 800 calories per session. Before my HRM, I used MFP and it popped up with 320 calories...with HRM...I burn a consistent 700-850 calories per 45 minute bootcamp session, and 500-600 per 30 minute session. I use the HRM all the time - walking dogs, jogging, etc.

almc170

Just relying on RPE has worked fine for me so far.

brasskim

You don't need to spend a ton of money on an HRM. I have a Timex (T5G971) HRM for $39 from Amazon it works great. Gives me my average heart rate which I can then put in any heart rate calorie calculator to determine number of calories burned. Last night doing the 30 Day Shred, MFP and my HRM were off by one calorie burned.

RosieWest8

I bought a HRM (Polar) from Meijer for like $35-40….can’t remember exactly how much. It was the cheapest version. It doesn’t do anything fancy, but it tells me my average heart rate for the duration of my workout…and I look at it while I’m working out to gauge whether I need to kick it up or slow down. Once I know my avg. HR I just use Shape Sense…..where I plug in my sex/age/weight/avg heart rate/duration of workout (and there’s a second form where you can enter your VO2 Max as well) and it’s spits back my calories burned. I’ve used the long calculation and done the math myself and got the exact same answer so I trust it. I’ve found that MFP either underestimates or overestimates calories burned by a significant amount. I eat back my workout calories so I wanna know how much I can eat…I like to eat….so if MFP tells me I can only eat 200 more calories (which according to my HRM is wrong), then I’m a sad panda.

So I’d say I think it’s definitely a good investment.

fancyladyJeri

I love mine!!!!! I have all the bells and whistles, a gps watch, a heart monitor and foot pod. I love to get home and upload my workout to Garmin Connect. It is very motivating for me.

That said though there are good apps for the iPhone that track your run as well. They give feedback as you go along telling you time and distance, etc. there are ant+ attachments that also interact and you can even get a heart monitor. Wahoo for one, I know.

For me it is soooo motivational.

Jeri in Calgary.

junyr

Give this a look for the iphone crowd...

Bluetooth, no attachement needed for this hrm to work.

http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/running-accessories/wahoo-fitness-bluehr-heart-rate-monitor-strap/

Ianultrarunner

A HRM is worth the investment.
If you want accuracy go for Garmin or Wahoo or even Timex make a few that are pretty good
Most HRM's like Polar only guess based on a few inputs and the rest is using generic calculations.
Look for ones that allow you to not only enter your Age, Sex, etc. but resting heart rate and heart rate zones.
But if you really don't care about accuracy just get something cheap and cheerful from a store that'll take it back after a few days if you're not happy.

kludgood

i like it because when i begin to start eatting my exercise calories back i will have a more accurate amount ive actually burned. ive noticed that mfp numbers are sooo much higher than what i actually burned. so i got one that way im not over eatting my "exercise cals"

chauncyrenayCHANGED

It is SO worth the investment.

It is way more accurate than the one on MFP.

I got mine for about $60 at Target. It is a New Balance one. The manual explained how to set it up.

It tells me my exact calorie burn. I don't use it for anything else.