Heart Rate Monitors and Calorie question

JelaineO

Hey guys!
So my two questions are this... Does anyone have a suggestion for a heart rate monitor? Im trying to find one that is good for showing me how many calories I'm burning at the gym. Also, when I put in my activity for the day I get more calories to eat, such as 800 more... should i actually be eating those to lose or should i just stick to eating 1200? Let me know your opinions! :-) Thanks everyone

Dhemeyer

Hello! Great questions
I use the Polar FT 4. It's pretty basic, but it gives my cals burned, HR, time spent in my suggested HR zone, and functions as a regular watch. Additionally, it had a cest strap, therefor it's completely hands free; you won't have to fuss with pressing any buttons to get the info you desire.

I would recommend not eating back your exercise cals if you're still looking to lose weight and you're not struggling with your energy. If you suggested cal range is 1200 be sure your net cals are around there and forget about the cals you burned.

Best wishes!

JelaineO

:happy: Awesome! Thank you so much for your advice! I have hit a horrible plateau and even have gained 10 back. ugh!
As far as your monitor.. If you wear the chest strap do you have to wear the watch as well? I feel like if I wear the chest strap I'll ruin it with the amount of sweat that I produce! haha! If only wearing the watch does the job, I think I would rather stick with that. :bigsmile:

butterflylover527

I have the polar ft4, it's simple and nothing more than what you need! For the calories, that's hard because everyone has different views.

butterflylover527

:happy: Awesome! Thank you so much for your advice! I have hit a horrible plateau and even have gained 10 back. ugh!
As far as your monitor.. If you wear the chest strap do you have to wear the watch as well? I feel like if I wear the chest strap I'll ruin it with the amount of sweat that I produce! haha! If only wearing the watch does the job, I think I would rather stick with that. :bigsmile:

Yes, the chest strap is more accurate but the watch has to be close to the strap. And the strap is waterproof so your sweat won't ruin it, personal experience hahahah

ashlinmarie

I also have the Polar FT4 and I love it! I push so much harder when I have it and it is super easy to use! And yes, I sweat a lot too and the strap is just fine. Just rinse it off and wash it every 5 or so workouts.

amclaws25

I don't eat back my calories burned from my workouts in general. If I do, it's usually only 100-200 of them. I try to listen to my body. If I still feel very hungry after all is said and done and I worked out hard, I will have something small but high in protein. I lift hard and heavy weights, as well as my cardio so if I need it..... I eat it.

As far as the HRM goes, I wear the Reebok 1200 just because I got a smoking deal on it because the battery was dead. ($10.00) It has a chest strap and I SWEAT A LOT!! My shirt is drenched, especially under my boobs when I'm done. I have a large chest so the cleavage makes for a sweat magnet. LOL. It is designed to be used with sweat. The instructions tell you to wet the sensor pads before putting it on. I wouldn't worry about it getting ruined,

JelaineO

Thank you everyone for your input! I'm going to check out the monitors and will let you know what I pick ;-) Do you guys understand how to get the net calories you should be taking in?

wifeygrooms

I got the polar FT4 as well and love it...Best $60 I could have spent!!! Water will not hurt it...You have to wet it anyway before putting it on...Watch and chest trap has to be on....As for calories I don't eat them back!!! And I got my HRM of bodytronics.com

JelaineO

awesome!! Thanks! :-)

JelaineO

I see them for 180.00 on polars website! holy moly!