HRM or Fitbit?

kirsty_mc

I hope you can help, I'm keen to get a better grasp of calories burned and my choices for this are either a HRM or a Fitbit.

I'm not 100% convinved that the fitbit is accurate as it doesnt have a HRM attached ( at least thats my understanding).

Does anyone here have any advice as to what is better for me?

Currently my workouts are a mix of cardio (3 times per week), strength (3 times per week) and 2 crossfit sessions.

Many thanks.

HamsterNut

I have ben wondering about the fitbit thingy , I have a HRM and found using that that playing dance games on teh PS3 is a far better wourkout calorie wise than cycling for example!

obmckenzie

I have a bodymedia Fit which is like a fitbit.. I like it because it gives me a good look at what my whole day is like, not just my exercise. But if you are looking to get more out of your workouts solely I'd suggest the HRM. I know that I want one so I can't see exactly how effective my workouts are.

WickedSpinSistr

I did some research when deciding between the two and ended up going with a HRM because:
- I am not interested in tracking routine steps taken throughout the day, or stairs climbed, because I do not wish to record these as exercise
- I do want to track calories burned during Spinning, circuit training (mostly Jillian Michaels DVDs) and various cardio exercises because i DO record these as exercise.

Went with a Polar HRM because it records my heart rate during the exercises I care about and reports the calories burned. The FitBit wouldn't have been a good fit for me because it seems to be more about tracking steps. If I were a person interested in tracking steps and recording such as exercise here on MFP than I suppose a FitiBit would make more sense.

So, really, it depends on what you intend to record and what you intend to do with the information.

WickedSpinSistr

Currently my workouts are a mix of cardio (3 times per week), strength (3 times per week) and 2 crossfit sessions.

Based on this I'd go with a HRM.

DaveMurphy6

you want to make sure you are not counting calories used twice. Your BMR includes your "regular activities". You should track the additional activities(exercise) you are participating in as opposed to every step you take between your couch and the bathroom which is probably included in your BMR

pstansel74

HRM will be far more helpful and accurate. Look at a Polat FT7 (or FT4, I have the 7 but heard good things about the 4) and look for the topics here about how to best set it to be accurate in terms of calories burned. I wear a Fitbit all day, but an HRM when I work out.

47Jacqueline

I did research and ended up buying both. the Fitbit is good for walking and stairclimbing and it has the great sleep monitor. The HRM works for logging my calories burned when I do zumba. The fitbit doesn't log the stationary bicycle or dance exercise.