HRM accuracy

SHBoss1673

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

Ok so I was playing with my f-6 trying to figure it out since this thread got me wondering.....I found it under user settings. It was set to 18.

ok now see, for someone your age, it should be somewhere around 30, 18 is for like a 75 year old woman with emphysema. If you are in decent shape it should actually be closer to 35 then 30. I would google VO2max tests, you can do one at home (It's usually like a 10 ro 15 minute hard walk or run) and get within 10% of your actual VO2max

naugustyniak

Here is a site that might help. It gives different ways to test your VO2 max at home.

http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vo2max.htm

arewethereyet

so mine was set to 30. this would mean it has been calculating more calories than is true??:sad:

I reset it to 25 as I can do 1 mile in 12-15 minutes or 1650 meters. Right?

OMG....to much info....does not compute!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

JennyGetsFit

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

you sure can, it's different for each model where though, for my F6 I think it's in advanced settings or something, I'm a visual guy, I'd have to pull it out and walk through it to know for sure. Ownzone is for setting your heartrate max and min when working, it beeps when you fall out of the zone.

200 calories huh? what's your average heart rate for that stuff, and how long are we talking about there. cuz, 200 could be spot on.

For instance, for me, I could walk for 2 hours and probably not burn 200 cals, cuz I run a lot, and walking doesn't really up my heart rate any more (only by a few percentage points, I rarely get out of the high 40% range when I walk (even fast), but when I run hard, I get up into the 80's, and that's when I can burn a good 550 calories for a 45 minute run. Course nothing beats my HIIT training (1 hour is about 1000 cals or so, see my blog if you'd like to know more. :devil: I'm a shameless self promoter)

Walking does squat for me also.
I used to run a lot, I strangely gain weight when I do long distance.
I am trying to run intervals too, the preset Polar intervals setting are very limiting, especially the lower HR, I will try to tweak that. my heart rate goes quickly inot 140+ but to get it back to 120 for the slow part I have to walk!
I want to burn more fat, so would like to run intervals, but need a better setup.
Where is your blog?
I'd love to read it!

I really need to figure out VO2 because it says I need to 1800 during P90X, and I can't eat that much. I am very curious. Will do so over the weekend! Something like arms& shoulder shows that I burn 180-200, I use bands instead of pull-up bar. I guess it is fair...

SHBoss1673

so mine was set to 30. this would mean it has been calculating more calories than is true??:sad:

I reset it to 25 as I can do 1 mile in 12-15 minutes or 1650 meters. Right?

OMG....to much info....does not compute!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

no I imagine 30 would be at least right for you, you're in decent shape. But do one of the at home tests, and you'll get a much better answer.

SHBoss1673

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

you sure can, it's different for each model where though, for my F6 I think it's in advanced settings or something, I'm a visual guy, I'd have to pull it out and walk through it to know for sure. Ownzone is for setting your heartrate max and min when working, it beeps when you fall out of the zone.

200 calories huh? what's your average heart rate for that stuff, and how long are we talking about there. cuz, 200 could be spot on.

For instance, for me, I could walk for 2 hours and probably not burn 200 cals, cuz I run a lot, and walking doesn't really up my heart rate any more (only by a few percentage points, I rarely get out of the high 40% range when I walk (even fast), but when I run hard, I get up into the 80's, and that's when I can burn a good 550 calories for a 45 minute run. Course nothing beats my HIIT training (1 hour is about 1000 cals or so, see my blog if you'd like to know more. :devil: I'm a shameless self promoter)

Walking does squat for me also.
I used to run a lot, I strangely gain weight when I do long distance.
I am trying to run intervals too, the preset Polar intervals setting are very limiting, especially the lower HR, I will try to tweak that. my heart rate goes quickly inot 140+ but to get it back to 120 for the slow part I have to walk!
I want to burn more fat, so would like to run intervals, but need a better setup.
Where is your blog?
I'd love to read it!

I really need to figure out VO2 because it says I need to 1800 during P90X, and I can't eat that much. I am very curious. Will do so over the weekend! Something like arms& shoulder shows that I burn 180-200, I use bands instead of pull-up bar. I guess it is fair...

blog is at

www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/shboss1673

JDHINAZ

you really should put in accurate VO2max numbers to get the right numbers, I asked polar about this, they say it's about 90% accurate without VO2max numbers, but about 98% accurate with.

you can go here to do an at home VO2max test:

http://www.calculatorslive.com/VO2-Max-Calculator.aspx

it's not really all that accurate, but it's accurate enough to get you close. Otherwise the HRM is going to use the average numbers for someone your age weight and height, which can be waaaaaay off.

If you REALLY want to know, ask your local gym or personal trainer where you can go to get one. They do real ones at labs and colleges sometimes.

Oh also, depending on which model HRM you have, some companies don't take out resting HR from the calories burned. For example Polar doesn't. So when I do my 45 minute run, I have to subtract about 80 calories from the total. Be aware of that. You want the total EXTRA calories you burn in for MFP, not the TOTAL calories burned. MFP already factors the resting calories in.

Jeez, what a buzzkill! And I thought I was doing so good when my F6 said I'd burned 550 calories!! Sometimes having all the facts sucks! :laugh: :laugh:

mlmanney

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

Ok so I was playing with my f-6 trying to figure it out since this thread got me wondering.....I found it under user settings. It was set to 18.

ok now see, for someone your age, it should be somewhere around 30, 18 is for like a 75 year old woman with emphysema. If you are in decent shape it should actually be closer to 35 then 30. I would google VO2max tests, you can do one at home (It's usually like a 10 ro 15 minute hard walk or run) and get within 10% of your actual VO2max

I used the chart on the site you posted and decided to set it at 30 before I saw your last post (above). cant wait to work out today and see what the difference is. Why would Polar use 18 and their default setting?! How many 75yo with emphysema are in their normal demographic?! :laugh: anyone else have an F6 that came set so low?

jennbarrette

My new F7 was set at 23 after I put my data in. It up'ed itself to 24 this week :huh: so I don't know if it is right. I am pretty out of shape to begin with, so I think it is ok. I will probably try one of the tests.

adopt4

I was just about to post a topic on this, but saw this one!

I have a Polar F6 which I love, but for some reason I'm thinking it's not calculating my calories burned correctly. For example, I have the EA Active for the Wii and it says I should have burned around 200 calories in my work out today, but my Polar said I burned over 500! That's a HUGE leap. And when I input things into MFP or any other exercise journal the number of calories it says I should have burned are way lower than what my hrm is reading.

I was messing around with the settings and I saw something called a V02Max. After some research I found out that is what determines how many calories you've burned. The manual isn't very helpful and just says to leave it as is unless you get your V02 actually tested.

Does anybody have this problem at all? Do you just take the number the HRM gives you?

Generic numbers are rarely accurate for anyone. I burn about twice what the machines at the gym say and MFP, because I'm larger, Small people burn about half the cals. So it's easily within reason that your calories burned can be twice or half of what the website or another machine says, and the HRM will be more accurate.

SHBoss1673

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

Ok so I was playing with my f-6 trying to figure it out since this thread got me wondering.....I found it under user settings. It was set to 18.

ok now see, for someone your age, it should be somewhere around 30, 18 is for like a 75 year old woman with emphysema. If you are in decent shape it should actually be closer to 35 then 30. I would google VO2max tests, you can do one at home (It's usually like a 10 ro 15 minute hard walk or run) and get within 10% of your actual VO2max

I used the chart on the site you posted and decided to set it at 30 before I saw your last post (above). cant wait to work out today and see what the difference is. Why would Polar use 18 and their default setting?! How many 75yo with emphysema are in their normal demographic?! :laugh: anyone else have an F6 that came set so low?

you got me on that one. I have no Idea why it's set there. You'd have to ask Polar.

mlmanney

soooo.....after correcting my vo2....:huh: I was short changing myself about 100 calories which...I am trying to look at it in a positive light...at least I wasn't thinking I was burning more than I was!

naugustyniak

Hi, Banks!

I have Polar, and unlike other's experiences, mine shows very few calories.
I think I am working like a mule, and I barely burning 200 cals according to that unfeeling device! :laugh:
If I have to take 80 out on the top of that - I might as well not eat at all (just kidding):blushing: :bigsmile:

So, my question: can you enter your VO2 into Polar?
I don't remember seeing that option.
There are "OwnZone" thingy there, pretty obscure, but that I remember...

Ok so I was playing with my f-6 trying to figure it out since this thread got me wondering.....I found it under user settings. It was set to 18.

ok now see, for someone your age, it should be somewhere around 30, 18 is for like a 75 year old woman with emphysema. If you are in decent shape it should actually be closer to 35 then 30. I would google VO2max tests, you can do one at home (It's usually like a 10 ro 15 minute hard walk or run) and get within 10% of your actual VO2max

I used the chart on the site you posted and decided to set it at 30 before I saw your last post (above). cant wait to work out today and see what the difference is. Why would Polar use 18 and their default setting?! How many 75yo with emphysema are in their normal demographic?! :laugh: anyone else have an F6 that came set so low?

Mine was set at 28 when I got it. So go figure.

JennyGetsFit

Can't wait to get home and check my VO2.
Exciting!!!

MacMadame

I don't think the Reebok one lets me set VO2 Max. It has something called "Fit" which sound similar but it's calculated based on your inputs and I haven't figured out a way to change it. It set mine as 32 the last time I updated my weight.

dimplzz

I don't think the Reebok one lets me set VO2 Max. It has something called "Fit" which sound similar but it's calculated based on your inputs and I haven't figured out a way to change it. It set mine as 32 the last time I updated my weight.

Hold the bottom right button in and it should let you change the information in it.

That stinks that everyone is having problems with their reebok one. I had a problem with mine once and that was only because I forgot to wet it first. Other than that I have never had an issue. I will consider myself lucky. I wear mine right beneath my sports bra, not under it.

P.S. Banks, I just read some of your blog and LOVE it. I bookmarked it and plan on attempting one of your workouts soon. :happy:

JennyGetsFit

Here is a site that might help. It gives different ways to test your VO2 max at home.

http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vo2max.htm

That's an excellent site!
I plugged my half-marathon race time and it put me into at squarely at 30 VO2!
Provided last half-marathon I ran in 2007...oh, well :bigsmile:
Saves me the headache of running 12 minutes and figuring out the distance.!
Thank you dearest!

JennyGetsFit

Once you know your VO2 max (which means the maximum ammount of oxygen entering your body per kilagram of bodyweight.) your HRM will be much more accurate. SHboss is axactly right. Now when you buy your next polar you will also have a option for Zone percentages. Make sure you put in your percentages to make it even more accurate. The usual is Zone 1 52%, Zone 2 58%, Zone 3 75% Zone 4 is 83% and Zone 5 92%

That's next on my list.

Did you reset upper/lower limits for Intervals?
What time and HR do you use for that?

Kidvicious28

Yea, I was wondering if that was anything like the VO2 max thing.... is this just the FIT thing...fitness/intensity/time thing? I learned it in college but I'm not sure what number to put in the watch.....does anyone have any idea???

hiddensecant

I take it you can't enter the VO2 max on the Polar F4?

SHBoss1673

I take it you can't enter the VO2 max on the Polar F4?

I don't think so, I don't have one, but it didn't mention it in the manual.