HRM vs. FitBit

zellagrrl

I'm on a limited budget right now and I'm looking at a single item to add for primarily calorie burning and heart rate tracking. I have a serious aversion to cardio that doesn't involve looking stupid in front of the XBox (hello, Dance Central!) but I also do strength training at a gym. So, should I lean towards an HRM or a FitBit (or something else)? Any recommendations on something that won't break the bank but will be reasonably accurate (and not fall apart after a few uses?

I have an Android phone, so anything that works with that is a bonus.

Thanks!!

davitalynette

bump! I would like to hear suggestions as well....

Masterdo

I'd get an HRM, one with a chest strap. Check for apps on Play Store that you find interesting to check for wireless compatibility.

I have searched around quite a lot and asked opinions to friends on MFP with HRM, and most pointed towards Polar HRMs so far, whether they use one and they like it, or use another brand and wish they got a Polar instead. I am getting mine only at the end of May, so I don't know yet.

The FitBit seems to be quite useless in comparison. It counts things that you don't really want to count (like walking around/sitting at works calories) and doesn't have enough features it seems when it comes to actual workouts.

Good luck!

Iskreemman

I just bought and love the FT7 from Polar for $75 at amazon. I use if for running and lifting at the gym and it does a great job and the chest strap will automatically link with most newer cardio machines.

lindamac101

HRM polar f4 with a chest strap, paid about $65 with free shipping, I love mine.

Raina27

I just bought and love the FT7 from Polar for $75 at amazon. I use if for running and lifting at the gym and it does a great job and the chest strap will automatically link with most newer cardio machines.

Ha! I was wondering that... since I didnt have my hands on the HR sensors!! Good to know!!

mfpcopine

I would get a heart rate monitor. I have both, and the Fitbit is fun and provides some monitoring especially since I'm recovering from an injury and can't be active. But for an active person who is going to the gym and has access to treadmills, ellipticals, bikes or who may want to run outdoors, you will get more bang for your buck from a HRM. It's important to know how hard you're working during exercise. If you do interval work, it's even important.

I have a low-level Polar with a chest strap. I suggest getting something simple like that. If you like it, you can always get a more sophisticated model later on.

cbeutler

Walking is my primary cardio, I'm not up to jogging yet. The fit bit is perfect for that, but not really for anything else. Don't get me wrong I love it I've walked 150 miles since I bought it. For me it is highly motivational. It motivated me to walk for 45 minutes tonight because I didn't want a day under 10,000 for the day. So it works for me.

I have a Heart Rate strap that I never use, so really it comes down to what motivates you.

Quasita

It depends on what you really want.

Personally, I don't trust HRMs for accuracy, nor do I really trust the FitBit. I spent a lot of time considering them but they didn't meet the needs I was looking to fulfill.

I went with the BodyMedia Fit Link. Why? Because it monitors at a study proven 90% rate for your entire day. You wear it all day long, and it measures your personal burns, activity, steps, and determines quality of sleep. It gives you goals based on YOUR numbers after you wear it for a few days.
The problem with the other two is that though you might be able to put in age, weight, height, etc etc, they still base their calculations on the average rate of burn for those statistics. The BodyMedia/BodyBugg device monitors all day and "learns" your average day, and bases your calorie goals on that. It calculates on what happens with YOU, not what happens with the average.

Things I've learned through wearing it... I sleep rougher than I thought I did. I burn less than what MFP calculates as my BMR, but more than the calculated TDEE. I figured out that for what I do every day, I was still undereating. The Fit Link syncs with a smart phone, so you don't have to wear a watch, and gives you a by the minute burn, deficit, and step count.

It *is* more expensive, but I swear, I don't regret any penny spent... Not on the device, nor the subscription fee. I was plateaued, and within 2 weeks of using it, dropped almost 5 pounds and continued logging a little over a pound every few days.

That being said, if you only want a general idea of your exercise burn, the HRM will do that, but I worry about their accuracy for so many reasons... blood pressure, heart rate, positioning... it all can change what that device reports back. You can't wear it all day, and not all models give you a chance to measure your RHR, which is vital to measuring the exertion you have during the work out.

To add: The phone app for Android works very smoothly with my device, and gives you a way to monitor work outs specifically so you know what is "extra". I love being able to set it to an open work out and see my calories, steps, and activity intensity in real time.

Jacwhite22

All have their own pluses and minuses....I will add this.

#1 - HR Monitor is going to be more exact than either of the others.
#2 - Several people have worn both BMF/BodyBugg and Fitbit.....In every case I have seen the fitbit has been about as accurate as the BMF/bbugg.....Sometimes lower....but not higher (although step count has been).

Personally, I don't trust HRMs for accuracy, nor do I really trust the FitBit. I spent a lot of time considering them but they didn't meet the needs I was looking to fulfill.

I went with the BodyMedia Fit Link. Why? Because it monitors at a study proven 90% rate for your entire day.

Ireshgurl

I have a Polar FT4 and absolutely love it. It's pretty much the basic model of the Polars and very easy to use. And it does exactly what you're wanting. It cost me @ $70 with shipping. The only issue I have is it's not waterproof. My next one will be waterproof so I can take it in the pool with me. Totally get a HRM.

mfpcopine

It depends on what you really want.

Personally, I don't trust HRMs for accuracy, nor do I really trust the FitBit. I spent a lot of time considering them but they didn't meet the needs I was looking to fulfill.

...

The problem with the other two is that though you might be able to put in age, weight, height, etc etc, they still base their calculations on the average rate of burn for those statistics.

I recommended a HRM for accuracy in determining heart rate, which I believe is directly measured. I never rely on it or any other device for calorie estimation. There are too many variables.

xoFlo

FYI PolarF4 does go in the pool and the product manual supports that. It says don't press the buttons in the water. I've used it the pool about 6 times. Unless the chest strap is REALLY tight, though, it loses the heart beat.

LoriInIowa

I just got the Polar 7....I really like it. It's easy to use and is a handy (not-too-expensive) addition to your fitness plan!

LordBezoar

I actually got my FitBit first. This was because I was in much the same situation as you sound. I had very little desire to do cardio and needed to start somewhere. I'll be honest and tell you that I was very skeptical about the FitBit when DW first mentioned getting one, because I didn't really think that it would do anything. Boy was I wrong. Within a week of getting my FitBit it showed me that I was actually not as active as I had thought. That got me moving. FitBit also has what it calls "Badges" that are basically achievements for doing certain things, some badges are daily goals and others are lifetime achievements. That more than anything got me going at first because I am a gamer--not only that, but I am a completionist gamer. In case you aren't familiar with that term, it means I spend hours and hours on a game trying to discover every secret, unlock every achievement, follow every sidequest, etc..

I also want to mention a misconception that I read someone writing earlier in the thread: He stated that the FitBit measures activities like sitting/laying/etc. it actually does not. When you set up your FitBit profile, it figures out your BMR and then every five minutes, it updates your Calories burned for the day. This means that it will give you a fairly accurate idea of your TDEE if all you do is walk/run/sit/sleep. It does have a harder time tracking some cardio exercises and anything that you are doing with your upper body, but that is where a HRM comes into play. Now, the integration with MFP is really where the FitBit excels, IMHO. Every time MFP syncs with FitBit, it updates your exercise Calories based on both your MFP activity level AND your actual (FitBit-recorded) activity.

I have since gotten a HRM (a Polar FT-40) and have started doing Power 90. During which I use my HRM, but my FitBit stays on me day and night. The only time it comes off is when I am showering (I put it on to charge at that point) or when DW and I are, erm, doing our taxes...

The bottom line is that I love my FitBit and I think that it more than anything has helped me to get motivated to do stuff. I love my HRM as well, but I love it because it gives me accurate data and helps MFP to motivate me. The HRM by itself isn't a huge motivator. I cannot recommend the FitBit as a first purchase more. Hope this helps.

zellagrrl

Thank you all so much! Looks like I have some research and comparisons to do now-- I didn't even realize how many products were available.

marcf2001

My primary exercise is walking.
I have a Fitbit and it is very easy to use, keeping it all day long.

Using a HRM (I used to use a Polar while running with a cardio watch) is more constraining.
Fitbit does not track gym exercises or treadmills, but these can be declared as exercises or Fitbit can be linked with another site that is tracking them. I am not using any of those.

LordBezoar

My primary exercise is walking.
I have a Fitbit and it is very easy to use, keeping it all day long.

Using a HRM (I used to use a Polar while running with a cardio watch) is more constraining.
Fitbit does not track gym exercises or treadmills, but these can be declared as exercises or Fitbit can be linked with another site that is tracking them. I am not using any of those.

FitBit will read a treadmill steps/runs with no problem.

bagge72

The fit bit is great, but if you aren't into doing a bunch of cardio, and want to see what you are burning for calories while lifting then the polars are a better way to go.

yustick

I have a Fitbit and Bodybugg. If I had to chose one, it would be the BodyBugg.

I don't have an HRM, so I'm not certain of this, but I would imagine you would wear it only during formal exercise. The Bodybugg and Fitbit are designed to wear all day to get your total calorie burn for the day. Right now, I am 100% focused on calorie deficit. I don't care how I burn calories...cleaning the basement, gardening, walking around the mall or formal exercise.

Fitbit Pros
Syncs with MFP
Awesome FREE website
Small and hardly noticeable

Fitbit Cons
Records steps/flights of stairs while I am driving
Knows motion, but not exertion, so for activities like lifting, it would understate your calorie burn

BodyBugg Pro
It knows exertion ---a big deal

BodyBugg Con
Terrible Website that you have to pay for

samuraidoctor

I have used a Jawbone Up, a Fitbit, and a heart rate monitor. I find that the Fitbit can work great for just walking, and it will monitor your sleep as well, if you're interested in that. I work off a Mac, so I sometimes have to reset to get it to sync properly, and I'm really annoyed that I can't get it to sync to my iphone, but need an actual computer to plug the base station in to. That being said, it is otherwise a pretty good product.

What it doesn't do well is monitor the following exercises I am also engaged in: exercycling, bicycling, karate, kobudo, and Zumba, due to the relative lack of steps to calories burned, and the use of the upper body in these activities. I also find it overestimates just how fit I am and underestimates my calorie burn when I'm running. It's great for calculating extraneous calories burned when running around stores and visiting NYC.

I have a Garmin chest strap that I've used with my Oregon on my bicycle. Haven't figured out how to get the calorie burn from it yet. Mostly, I've been using a Timex Ironman triathlon HRM that I got on Amazon. It's done a fine job and watch is stylin', or at least more stylin' than the polar watches. What I would recommend is getting a HRM with a soft chest strap, because the harder plastic can chafe the soft bits that hang around in the area you put your strap on.

If you get a digifit for your Iphone, you can use the Digifit app with your HRM as well. I have just checked this evening, and you can dual record on dgifit and your regular HRM, which is a hoot. Most of the chest straps use the same ANT+ protocol and will work with multiple products.

If you are only going to get one and don't care to count calories shopping, I'd get the HRM.

wftiger

I have a fitbit. For me it was the perfect choice because I wanted something to show me how much (or little) I moved. The fitbit does just that. It tracks steps and flights of stairs (I have only found it inaccurate on stairs if I do not wear on waist) and coverts to miles and a "activity level".

For me a HRM would be overkill as I do not, and do not plan to, eat my exercise calories back. Because of that I do not need something that tracks it to the very calorie.

If you are looking to eat back your exercise calories then you would probably want to go to a HRM as that would be more accurate. if you just need some motivation then the fitbit certainly provides that.

LivingHealthyLovingLife

I love my fitbit, it far exceeds what I expected. Craziest thing I found out with fitbit........I sleepwalk. I kept seeing this activity during the wee hours of the morning and I'm not talking about going to the bathroom activities, sometimes up to 100 steps. That got my curosity up and I set up a camera and sure enough, fitbit was right on the money.
Besides all that, it pushes me to do more and more each day, I'm up to like 19,000 steps a day.
One last thing, fitbit not only syncs with MFP but with this site called EarnedIt which lets you earn points towards discounts at online retailers. Where else can you get discounts for simply just moving?

salgalruns

I went with the BodyMedia Fit and LOVE it. Tracks my sleep (which is really an issue for me), my steps (not ever a problem), and more importantly, calories burned over the course of the day. It also tells me with my exercise whether or not it's considered vigorous. I actually take my information off the BodyMedia site and then put it into MFP, which works fine for me.

LizKurz

I love my fitbit, it far exceeds what I expected. Craziest thing I found out with fitbit........I sleepwalk. I kept seeing this activity during the wee hours of the morning and I'm not talking about going to the bathroom activities, sometimes up to 100 steps. That got my curosity up and I set up a camera and sure enough, fitbit was right on the money.
Besides all that, it pushes me to do more and more each day, I'm up to like 19,000 steps a day.
One last thing, fitbit not only syncs with MFP but with this site called EarnedIt which lets you earn points towards discounts at online retailers. Where else can you get discounts for simply just moving?
Edited by LivingHealthyLovingLife on Fri 04/20/12 10:01 PM

Oh wow....that's creepy....

LizKurz

Frapping double post, sorry!

zellagrrl

Thanks all! I got a Timex Ironman HRM on Amazon-- seemed to be reasonably priced for the features... will see how it goes once it gets here! BMF was out of the price range for now

committed_2_health

Like others have mentioned I have both. I started out with a basic HRM a few years ago and upgraded to a more advanced one. You don't have to spend a small fortune on a HRM. I do realize however that a small fortune is completely relative to your financial situation. I use my HRM for cardio only. I don't wear it when I strength train. I wear my Fitbit all day and when I sleep. I find myself working smarter in my fitness goals utilizing both as tools for tracking and motivating me. If you must decide between the two write out a list of what you want to track and then do a side by side comparison to determine which of the two will best meet your needs. Good luck!

heybales

Thanks all! I got a Timex Ironman HRM on Amazon-- seemed to be reasonably priced for the features... will see how it goes once it gets here! BMF was out of the price range for now

Suggestion on the Timex.

It is great for training features. Upper/lower zone settings and alarms, time in zone, HR recovery in 1 or 2 min, digital with no interference, post workout stats min, avg, max HR, ect.

Unless yours has you enter gender, age, weight, and allows changing the max HR - it is worthless at calories though.

Very inflated.

So I just used this site to enter in the avg HR for the workout, to get better estimate of calorie burn.

If you can get an estimate of your VO2max, it makes it more accurate too.

http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

jsugihara86

I have a HRM and HATE the chest strap... so I dont know what to do .. lol

heybales

I have a HRM and HATE the chest strap... so I dont know what to do .. lol

Only wear it once for each type of workout you enjoy doing, do the workout at your desired intensity (not pace, you'll get faster at same intensity).

Now you have avg cal burn per mins for that activity, you can apply to other workouts without wearing it.

If this is for better training in zones to get the most out of intervals or recovery runs or such, that's tough then.