Are These Things Any Good?

gpstrucker

Today I stopped in a Wally World to buy myself a scale. I've been weighing myself on those coin operated things in truck stops and I feel pretty certain I wasn't getting consistent readings that way. I figured if I weigh myself on the same scale all the time I'll have a better measure of my weight loss.

But that's not what I wanted to ask about. While there I picked up a Sportline S12 heart rate monitor. Basically it's a wristwatch that monitors heart rate as well as acting as a pedometer and tells calories burned. I am just wondering if I wasted forty bucks on this thing, or do they actually proved useful information (especially calories burned)?

sabinecbauer

Let's put it this way: the heart rate monitor will do its job as long as you don't work out hard enough to start sweating. Reason for it is that the wrist-watch-type HRM doesn't take your pulse directly (as a strap monitor does) but measures electrical impulses conducted through the skin. Of course, if you throw water (or sweat) into the equation, you get a picture perfect short-circuit and the thing stops working...

The pedometer function is okay(ish) though, so it's not a complete waste of money.

joankpoirier

the best one i have seen is the one from Beachbody. its bowflex strapless monitor. works great

gpstrucker

Thanks for the input. Not too certain about the water thing though, the instruction manual actually suggests adding moisture between the watch and the wrist for a better connection.

How about this FitBit thing? Is it better? Can one buy it in a store or just online (as a trucker ordering online doesn't always work well for me)?

bjfrezell

Fitbit is pretty good for what it is. From what I understand, it monitors your daily movement and sleep. http://www.fitbit.com/

I personally have a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor with a chest strap. Believe it or not, the chest strap doesn't bother me and I barely notice it's there. You can buy the heart rate monitors with chest straps at ****'s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and places like that. You might be able to order them online for cheaper, but if that's not an option, you can find brick and mortar stores that carry them.

Your wrist one might work to start, but you may want to upgrade to a heart rate monitor with a chest strap eventually.

gpstrucker

Thanks. I looked at one with a chest strap but for my purposes it seemed like overkill to me. I'm mostly interested in tracking activity level and calories burned more than anything. Of course, that could change in the future.

gpstrucker

Let's put it this way: the heart rate monitor will do its job as long as you don't work out hard enough to start sweating. Reason for it is that the wrist-watch-type HRM doesn't take your pulse directly (as a strap monitor does) but measures electrical impulses conducted through the skin. Of course, if you throw water (or sweat) into the equation, you get a picture perfect short-circuit and the thing stops working...

The pedometer function is okay(ish) though, so it's not a complete waste of money.

You were right. I worked up a sweat out there this morning and the thing started acting up. Guess I'll have to invest in one with the chest strap.

mjoekidd

Fitbit is pretty good for what it is. From what I understand, it monitors your daily movement and sleep. http://www.fitbit.com/

I personally have a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor with a chest strap. Believe it or not, the chest strap doesn't bother me and I barely notice it's there. You can buy the heart rate monitors with chest straps at ****'s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and places like that. You might be able to order them online for cheaper, but if that's not an option, you can find brick and mortar stores that carry them.

Your wrist one might work to start, but you may want to upgrade to a heart rate monitor with a chest strap eventually.

I have a Polar Heart Rate monitor as well and those things are awesome. I used mine this morning while cycling. If you do end up getting one make sure it is a version that allows for user replaceable batteries. One more thing, these things take a beating. I have been using mine for 2 years or so while weight training, cycling, HIIT etc. Look into getting some electrode gel if you don't sweat easily.

Joe

gpstrucker

Fitbit is pretty good for what it is. From what I understand, it monitors your daily movement and sleep. http://www.fitbit.com/

I personally have a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor with a chest strap. Believe it or not, the chest strap doesn't bother me and I barely notice it's there. You can buy the heart rate monitors with chest straps at ****'s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and places like that. You might be able to order them online for cheaper, but if that's not an option, you can find brick and mortar stores that carry them.

Your wrist one might work to start, but you may want to upgrade to a heart rate monitor with a chest strap eventually.

Thanks. Does the FT4 and FT7 have user replaceable batteries?

I have a Polar Heart Rate monitor as well and those things are awesome. I used mine this morning while cycling. If you do end up getting one make sure it is a version that allows for user replaceable batteries. One more thing, these things take a beating. I have been using mine for 2 years or so while weight training, cycling, HIIT etc. Look into getting some electrode gel if you don't sweat easily.

Joe