HRM

slim104
slim104 Posts: 160
in Fitness and Exercise
I've just bought an HRM and tried it out this evening. I am 6'2", 301lbs, male. 50 minutes @ 4mph across fields and some roads. I averaged 130 bpm and it says i burnt 998 calories. Surely that cant be correct? MFP says 569 calories and i'm not sure about that either.

It was struggling to make contact in the beginning, so is it better to buy some of that gel? Could you tell me what its called please?

Replies

  • morkiemama
    morkiemama Posts: 894 Member
    What Brand/Model of HRM do you have?
  • LittleMissJDS
    LittleMissJDS Posts: 26
    I heard Parker Spectra 360 Electrode Gel works well. You can get it cheap on Amazon but depending on your HRM, you should not need it.

    If it is a POLAR product, simply just wet the strap with water. I have had a few of them and it solves the problem.

    I had a similar issue with my Motiva Mio HRM. I got it since it was strapless and I regret that terribly. The ones without the strap are not very accurate. The Mio was doubling the 'calories burned' and it was obvious. I would walk the dog for 20 mins and it would say 500 calories.
  • slim104
    slim104 Posts: 160
    It was only a cheap one called crivit. Just to see if i would actually use it first before i splash out on a more expensive one.
  • morkiemama
    morkiemama Posts: 894 Member
    It was only a cheap one called crivit. Just to see if i would actually use it first before i splash out on a more expensive one.

    I'm not familiar with that brand. Does it have a chest strap?
  • tlblood
    tlblood Posts: 473 Member
    I've just bought an HRM and tried it out this evening. I am 6'2", 301lbs, male. 50 minutes @ 4mph across fields and some roads. I averaged 130 bpm and it says i burnt 998 calories. Surely that cant be correct? MFP says 569 calories and i'm not sure about that either.

    It was struggling to make contact in the beginning, so is it better to buy some of that gel? Could you tell me what its called please?

    The MFP number is closer to what I get...I average about 100 calories per 10 minutes when I'm in my upper heart rate zone, but I'm also female, 5'6", and 228, so it makes sense that as a taller and heavier man, you'd burn more calories that I would. 4mph is a pretty swift pace for walking, so I'd guess that your HR was pretty high, which would cause you to burn more calories. My guess is that the HRM is closer to right than MFP based on what my HRM reads and the differences between us individuals.

    Did you make sure to set up the HRM so that all of your info is personalized (height, weight, age, gender, etc)? That will make a difference if that info is wrong. If you think your HRM is too high, maybe go half way between what the HRM and MFP say???
  • tlblood
    tlblood Posts: 473 Member
    It was only a cheap one called crivit. Just to see if i would actually use it first before i splash out on a more expensive one.

    Does it have a chest strap? The ones with a chest strap that sends a signal to the arm/wrist band are known to be much more accurate than those without a chest strap.
  • slim104
    slim104 Posts: 160
    Yes it has a chest strap. I was using saliva on the back of it and on my chest. I have a hairy chest though so does that make a difference?
  • LittleMissJDS
    LittleMissJDS Posts: 26
    If possible, run the strap under water. I am not familiar with the product so be sure that will not damage it. Water should be enough.

    Good suggestion about checking the settings.
  • morkiemama
    morkiemama Posts: 894 Member
    If possible, run the strap under water. I am not familiar with the product so be sure that will not damage it. Water should be enough.

    Good suggestion about checking the settings.

    This.

    Make sure it is okay as per the instruction manual for your specific HRM, but I think wetting the strap with actual water would help if that is allowed with your brand/model. :)
  • slim104
    slim104 Posts: 160
    I've just bought an HRM and tried it out this evening. I am 6'2", 301lbs, male. 50 minutes @ 4mph across fields and some roads. I averaged 130 bpm and it says i burnt 998 calories. Surely that cant be correct? MFP says 569 calories and i'm not sure about that either.

    It was struggling to make contact in the beginning, so is it better to buy some of that gel? Could you tell me what its called please?

    The MFP number is closer to what I get...I average about 100 calories per 10 minutes when I'm in my upper heart rate zone, but I'm also female, 5'6", and 228, so it makes sense that as a taller and heavier man, you'd burn more calories that I would. 4mph is a pretty swift pace for walking, so I'd guess that your HR was pretty high, which would cause you to burn more calories. My guess is that the HRM is closer to right than MFP based on what my HRM reads and the differences between us individuals.

    Did you make sure to set up the HRM so that all of your info is personalized (height, weight, age, gender, etc)? That will make a difference if that info is wrong. If you think your HRM is too high, maybe go half way between what the HRM and MFP say???

    Yes i set it up correctly with age, weight, height etc. When i was walking at 4mph my heart rate was up to 144bpm which i presume is fairly high.

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