can I do this?

DaysFlyBy

I'll preface this by saying I already know HRMs are not meant to track calories all day like a Fitbit or Body Media, etc. I *get* it. My question is, can I just leave the strap on all day so I can record impromptu workouts like a spur of the moment game of tag in the park with my kids? It seems like a PITA to have to fetch the strap all the time, yet what a shame to run around for 20 min and not take credit for the burn, lol.

cbeutler

The study (I could find it if you are interested) I read said they are not accurate below 50% HRmax. So all you will accomplish is wearing out the battery on the transmitter.

DaysFlyBy

I went way out of my zone jogging in place, I'm pretty sure running around a park playing tag for 20+ minutes would get my HR up there. I wouldn't be running it all day, just for the duration of the activity. I was just wondering if I actually HAD to take it off between workouts or if I could just leave it on if it's a day I anticipate that sort of thing. If we have the playground to ourselves my 11 year old and I run thru it like an obstacle course and time each other on our phones, by the time I've gone through twice my heart is pounding, I'd love to see what the burn looks like but if I have to dig my strap out, wet it down, put it on, etc. that's too much work for just having fun.

cbeutler

I think you can give that a try, I have a polar but it is the RX5 model. Mine has a soft fabric strap that I soak with water prior to working out. The first couple of times I didn't do this step and got really bad readings, same activity on two different days 100% difference in the calorie burn reading. So that could be a problem if you have the same strap.

My unit (giggity) also has a plastic piece the transmitter that snaps into the strap. When it is snapped in place it turns on. After exercise I unsnap the transmitter so I can was the strap. So if I wear the strap with the transmitter attached all day it will shorten the battery life. Yours may be a little different even though they are from the same company.

Let me know what you find out.

DaysFlyBy

Mine sounds similar, two fabric zones that I have to wet (easily done with a water bottle while wearing, and yes that transmitter does snap on, I wasn't aware that snapping it in place activated it so that is super good to know, thank you! I guess I could wear the strap and keep the transmitter in my pocket until needed. I'll give it a go, I'm mostly intensely curious because there's a lot of heart pumping stuff I do that I've never logged since climbing swing set poles, swinging your way across the length of the top bar and down the other side then back up, across and down the other side trying to beat an 11 year old's time isn't an option in MFP's database lol.