HRM....wear all day or just working out?

misty2ann

Hey everyone! Thinking about getting a HRM instead of a FITBIT. Just wondering any opinions on this subject? Do you wear your HRM all day or just while working out? Are they difficult to use? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

LittleMissNerdy

I just got mine today and it's super easy to use! Just strap on the chest strap, hit a button on the watch and you're ready to go! I plan on wearing mine when I work out only.

CMmrsfloyd

HRMs are only intended to be used while you are working out and your heartrate is elevated. They are fabulous for exercise but they are not designed for all-day use. I have a Polar FT4 and I love it for my workouts.

If you're looking for an all-day device, your choices are basically fitbit, bodybugg, or BodyMedia fit. The last 2 seem more sophisticated to me, they use more than just movement to estimate your calories.

_snw_

i wore it ~once~ all day to see how accurate it thought my tdee was. but that was the only time. i only wear to workout now.

ElPumaMex

Found an interesting article on that subject:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/484263-is-there-a-heart-rate-monitor-that-tracks-calories-burned-in-the-entire-day/

For all day, you are much better off with a Fitbit instead of an HRM

purpleipod

HRMs are only intended to be used while you are working out and your heartrate is elevated. They are fabulous for exercise but they are not designed for all-day use. I have a Polar FT4 and I love it for my workouts.

If you're looking for an all-day device, your choices are basically fitbit, bodybugg, or BodyMedia fit. The last 2 seem more sophisticated to me, they use more than just movement to estimate your calories.

This.

They aren't made to be worn all day, and will not be accurate. Get a Bodybugg if that's what you're looking for.

liftingheavy

I have a Polar FT7, and I wear it for workouts only. It's great because it tells me how close I am to my weekly pre-set exercise goals and makes suggestions on what to do for the rest of the week.

If I wore it all day, it would throw the settings off.

shellsie_j

Bought a Polar ft7 and it is great. Used to log 350 cals for half an hour on the elliptical trainer but according to the hrm I am only burning about 210-250 according to the intensity. Very worthwhile the investment as you can accurately log what calories you are burning. I wear it when training and it helps you to keep your heart rate up high but, as it is still a new toy, I have been wearing it around just to see how my heart rate reacts to normal everyday tasks. Not that I log them but it is just interesting to know. It will also be interesting to watch my resting heart rate go down as I get fitter. I would say definitely buy one as you feel more in control of your own training.

Allic1971

I have just got the Polar FT7, it is fab, I was logging 27mins of cardio on mfp at 302 cals, when infact it is only 226-265 depending on how hard I work, I also wear it for shopping, walking and cleaning to log my cals.

shaydon80

I wear my Polar FT4 to work out only.

lmtrevin77

I'm in law school and most days we get called on and tortured in class. I just got an HRM and wore it to class yesterday. My heart rate was between 92-98 while I was just sitting there. Then I got called on and it immediately shot up to 150. It was a fun experiment. Otherwise, I just wear it to workout so that I can be sure I'm keeping my HR up.

juliekaiser1988

Fitbit for all day tracking; HRM for activity only tracking. That's my mantra.

froeschli

I wear my HRM for workout only. It doesn't log calories unless the heart rate is above 100 anyways. and since i've taken up running, it's harder to get it up there. dogwalking, for example, used to be up in the 120's. now i don't even get above 100, so it's not even worth wearing the HRM anymore (mind, i don't log walking the dog so it's kind of moot)...

i like it when running, because it is a great indicator when to slow down and for how long. that is if i am not doing timed intervals. with the timed intervals, it helps me decide whether i am pushing hard enough or not....

haven't tried any of the other devices, so i can't offer a comparison

misty2ann

Thank you for the suggestions! I think I am going to get the FitBit for daily use and a HRM for my workouts. I hope that isn't overkill......but I really want to get the most out of everything I am doing and record and log things correctly. Thanks again! Any more information out there that anyone would like to share with me, I would love to hear it!