HRM chest strap necessary?
jfrankic
Posts: 747 Member
I'm looking into buying a hrm. I prefer a watch only with no chest strap. There are some continuous read watches, one is Polar RS100. I want to be able to wear it when I'm not exercising too. Why? Because I just want to know about calories burned and hr during my daily activities.
I know a chest strap is the way to get the closest to actual, but will the watch do a pretty good job, too? I don't want to spend $65 and it not be accurate, I've already got one of those!
Thanks!!
I know a chest strap is the way to get the closest to actual, but will the watch do a pretty good job, too? I don't want to spend $65 and it not be accurate, I've already got one of those!
Thanks!!
0
Replies
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Bumping for expert advice!0
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The watch won't work without the strap.
However, there's a new device on the market that doesn't require a strap - it's first generation, still though, and I haven't tried it, but I'm tempted.
http://new.digifit.com/scosche/0 -
Have you tried the strap??? I dont even feel it when its on. It goes directly under your bra strap, its made of cloth, and you wont even know its there.
I wouldnt recommend purchasing one without the chest strap.0 -
If you want something to wear all day, get a fitbit.0
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I have the "Wahoo Fitness Blue HR Heart Rate Strap for iPhone 4S" and I love it...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8296VC/A/wahoo-fitness-blue-hr-heart-rate-strap-for-iphone-4s0 -
Have you tried the strap??? I dont even feel it when its on. It goes directly under your bra strap, its made of cloth, and you wont even know its there.
I wouldnt recommend purchasing one without the chest strap.
Agreed. I'd rather spent more money and have it be accurate than only spend $65 and never know if it actually works.0 -
I have a polar f4 and I wear my chest strap even when I'm not working out just in case I want to see how many cals I'm burning walking somewhere...you get used to the strap and don't even know it's there...so the strap is really not a big deal -- and it's not noticeable if you tuck it under your bra0
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the ones without the strap aren't accurate.0
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Mine works with and without my chest strap....I LOVE it, got one in an auction off Ebay for $25. Brand new
*although I have only used it once or twice w/o the strap. It works great and is easy to use.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=new+balance+duo+HRM&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=5yN&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=959&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9458755642644836964&sa=X&ei=jAruT8PPFPTH6AGFurmcCg&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAA0 -
I was worried about the chest strap when I first got mine, but it is not a big deal at all. Sometimes after my workouts, I even forget to take mine off until I'm about to get in the shower and realize I'm still wearing it. If you're used to wearing a bra, you won't notice it.0
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YES /.endthread0
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Have you tried the strap??? I dont even feel it when its on. It goes directly under your bra strap, its made of cloth, and you wont even know its there.
I wouldnt recommend purchasing one without the chest strap.
Agreed. I'd rather spent more money and have it be accurate than only spend $65 and never know if it actually works.
yup I agree as well. I have a polar ft4 and use it with fitbit as well. luv it!0 -
HRMs aren't accurate (strap or no strap types) for all day wear. If you're looking for that kind of feedback look into a bodybugg, bodymedia or fitbit device.
If you're completely against a chest strap to get a HRM that is pretty accurate you're going have to invest more that $65. In that price range if you're going to get any accuracy get one with a chest strap. For most people, myself included, the chest strap is hardly noticeable after a short time of wear.0 -
Alrighty.....thanks folks! No, I've never tried the strap. I guess I'm apprehensive because it is something different. Will check them out!0
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I have never heard of a watch alone that does a continuous reading....0
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People who want to track their daily energy expenditure seem to get those Fitbits and really like them.0
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Yeah, Never heard of a watch doing continuous reading and that's what is most accurate!
I love my strap, it's a sportsline (from walmart) came with the watch and the strap for only about $500 -
the ones without the strap aren't accurate.
Actually the one I linked to (new gen technology) *is* supposed to be very accurate.0 -
Yes, the chest strap is necessary because it monitors your heart.
If you want to know how many calories you burn doing your daily activity, use your BMR (Tools>BMR) and multiply it times your activity level (1.2 for sedentary or MOST people). It's an average but it is going to be pretty close.
HRMs are for tracking additional calorie burn activity from cardio exercise (not normal activity where you heart isn't elevated). Maybe you should look into some other device if that is not what you are looking for.0 -
HRMs aren't accurate (strap or no strap types) for all day wear. If you're looking for that kind of feedback look into a bodybugg, bodymedia or fitbit device.
If you're completely against a chest strap to get a HRM that is pretty accurate you're going have to invest more that $65. In that price range if you're going to get any accuracy get one with a chest strap. For most people, myself included, the chest strap is hardly noticeable after a short time of wear.
HRMs are good for all-day wear with the strap (fitbits are accurate but do not have HR measures, fyi). They just don't work at night or if the watch gets too far from the strap (like, if you take the watch off and set it on your desk or something).0 -
It really is necessary for the most accurate readings........0
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HRMs aren't accurate (strap or no strap types) for all day wear. If you're looking for that kind of feedback look into a bodybugg, bodymedia or fitbit device.0
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If you want something to wear all day, get a fitbit.
a fitbit wont give any accuracy for cardio workouts on the agressive side.0 -
Yes..the chest strap helps deliver more accurate data0
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I have the Boddybug they are made to wear all day! They work great! i have had about 3 family memembers use them as well in the past. They are tested and are 95% accurate!0
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Have you tried the strap??? I dont even feel it when its on. It goes directly under your bra strap, its made of cloth, and you wont even know its there.
I wouldnt recommend purchasing one without the chest strap.
Agreed. I'd rather spent more money and have it be accurate than only spend $65 and never know if it actually works.
yup I agree as well. I have a polar ft4 and use it with fitbit as well. luv it!
Ditto - Polar ft4 for exercises that aren't walking and my fitbit for walking/running and wearing all day (and night to track sleep). Love it!0 -
the RS100 works good for a watch hrm, you need to get it wet to make good contact with your skin for it to be accurate.0
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If you want something to wear all day, get a fitbit.
fitbit isn't a heart rate monitor.0 -
The actual heart rate monitor IS the strap on your chest - it is monitoring your heart rate. The watch is just a device for the HRM to feed information on your heart rate to so you can see how you are doing. The watch doesn't do any of the work - it is just the 'screen' so to speak.
I thought it seemed a bit equipment heavy before I got my Polar FT4 but it's no big deal.
Also HRM are not suitable/accurate for activities where your heart rate is below the fat burning zone.
I think a 'FitBit' device would be more suitable as it is an all day long piece of equipment.0 -
I have a HRM with a strap and I almost wish it was noticable when I had it on because it is so easy to forget it is on and forget to turn it on.:ohwell: I had a calorie counter without a strap before and it was more of a guesstimate. With the strap I know that it is basing it''s calculations on my actual bio-metrics.0
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