heart rate monitors that track calories

KeriD

I been wanting a heart rate monitor to track my calories. The salesman at REI talked me out of it by posing the question just how accurate are they? So now I'm wondering is it even worth it??? When I enter my exercise here on MFP, is that accurate enough?
Still thinking I want one....do any of you have suggestions on brands. I noticed some have chest straps and others are just calculated with the wrist strap.

TanRobins

I am wonderting the same thing. Most people I talk to recommend it as you input more specific info about yourself (gender, height, weight, etc) I think the calories on MFP are estimated. I am trying to shop around and figure out a good one to get. Anyone, any recommendations? :bigsmile:

ahertel0214

I bought a Polar F7 in February and have really enjoyed it. Though, I will say the calories burned that MFP suggests when I enter the activity and duration is usually pretty similar to what my HRM tells me.

It's helped me a lot with my running... I could never figure out why I had such poor stamina. With the HRM I'm able to keep myself within the suggested target zone, and I'm able to run further distances because I don't get winded so quickly.

Hope that helps, good luck!

HardmanGT

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

TanRobins

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

thanks for the info! That definately helps, although do women use the chest strap? I do a variety of workouts (InSanity, hiking, running, yoga, strength training, playing outdoors w/ my kids and dogs etc.) I figured that the HRM would give me a better understanding what I am burning.

froggy905

I also have a Polar f7 with chest strap and love it.

The calories it gives me are much lower than what MFP estimates--I trust that more and would rather err on the side of caution.

Whatever you decide--get one with a chest strap to measure actual ECG not just pulse. Women wear it right under the bust.

and get one you can program your age/weight/height/resting bpm/etc into...

Laceylala

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

thanks for the info! That definately helps, although do women use the chest strap? I do a variety of workouts (InSanity, hiking, running, yoga, strength training, playing outdoors w/ my kids and dogs etc.) I figured that the HRM would give me a better understanding what I am burning.

I have a Polar F6 and use the strap. I was wary at first thinking it would bother me but I rarely ever feel it under my sports bra.
Amazon.com has millions of reviews for various HRM's if you want to take a look. Consistently the Polar brand gets the best reviews.

ahertel0214

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

thanks for the info! That definately helps, although do women use the chest strap? I do a variety of workouts (InSanity, hiking, running, yoga, strength training, playing outdoors w/ my kids and dogs etc.) I figured that the HRM would give me a better understanding what I am burning.

Yes, the Woman's F7 came with a chest strap as well. Very comfortable. I wear it under my sports bra and never notice it's there.

debmac63

I bought the Polar F11 a couple years ago and love mine. Depending on what exercises I'm doing MFP is usually close. However, when running outside it's harder to gauge your intensity and speed so I've found the HRM is much more accurate for that kind of exercise. I bought the Buh-Bump cream for my HRM and I know have no issues with the HRM losing my heart rate even when my heart rate isn't so high.

If you can save and invest in an HRM with a chest strap I think you will be much happier and a lot closer to knowing what your calorie burn is.

Hope this helps.

HardmanGT

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

thanks for the info! That definately helps, although do women use the chest strap? I do a variety of workouts (InSanity, hiking, running, yoga, strength training, playing outdoors w/ my kids and dogs etc.) I figured that the HRM would give me a better understanding what I am burning.

I just finished a round of P90X Plyometrics and it didn't move with all that jumping around so you should be all set , as well!

nehtaeh

I've gone back and forth on wanting to get one.

I'd love to know how many calories I'm actually burning instead of estimating. But, is it really worth the money? Its more just to satisfy my curiousity.

I estimate my calories consumed in a lot of areas. I think I'm pretty close, but use a lot of estimates. I also eat what I want. I will restrain myself on days I'm really bad. MFP has also made me think about calories in food more so that helps keep me in check.

Overall, it just won't do me much good. Between using estimates and just not depriving myself - and choosing sleep over exercise a lot - buying one is not worth the cost, FOR ME.

Just evaluate why you want one, how accurate you are with everything else, and your priorities. If it will truly help you - go for it. If not, as in my case, don't.

KeriD

Thank you for all your info......I will definitely look at Polar.

emorym

When you get a HRM make sure you get one with the chest strap. I look at 3 numbers when I get done working out my average HR, Max HR and how many calories I burned. I can look at my calories burned and tell if I worked harder this time then I did the last time I did a workout. Some days I get it done but not with as much intensity. I run with a group every Thursday some days feel harder then others I can look at my calorie count and see if this week was a better workout then last or even a month ago. One of the things I have noticed is my times have come down and my calorie count is a little lower. I have lost weight and my body is more efficient

I started out with the polar brand and recently switched to a Garmin. They both have HR straps, I switched to the Garmin to get the GPS function. For HRM I would stick with the Polar. If you search through the archives you will see that recommended over and over.

kellybones

I have a Polar F55 HRM and LOVE it. It's my second HRM since the first one got broken when I dropped/sat on it/rolled over it with my office chair. I like the F55 because I can input my VO2 max manually (rather than having it be assumed by my age/weight) as well as manually set what my max heart rate should be. That being said, I'm generally about 20% higher in calorie burn than what MFP gives me - but I know that is more accurately higher because my VO2 max is really good for my weight (I forget the exact percentage, I have the paper work from being tested at home). Good to know that running does help you out!

DawnOf1969

Because I didn't want a chest strap, I bought a wrist style one. I regretted it after getting a little more serious and wanting better info. (It didn't track calories or give you a continuous HR readout)

I went today and bought a Polar FT40 that includes a strap and I love it already. It will do a fitness test on you that will help it be a little more accurate with your tracking. It was a little pricey ($159 less $25 coupon)

It is also very simple to set up and use.

Just my $.02

thanks for the info! That definately helps, although do women use the chest strap? I do a variety of workouts (InSanity, hiking, running, yoga, strength training, playing outdoors w/ my kids and dogs etc.) I figured that the HRM would give me a better understanding what I am burning.

I have a Polar F6 and use the strap. I was wary at first thinking it would bother me but I rarely ever feel it under my sports bra.
Amazon.com has millions of reviews for various HRM's if you want to take a look. Consistently the Polar brand gets the best reviews.

I have a polar F6 too and love it. You dont even feel the chest strap while working out.
However, read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

TanRobins

Thank you all for the info!! It definately helps.

I am about 1/2 way through my weigh loss goal and seem to be hitting a plateau ( lost 1.2 lbs in 3 weeks) all while really hitting my calorie goals and working out about 5-6 times a week) So I am trying to mix it up. I am noticing a loss in inches so at least I know that it is paying off somehow.:bigsmile:

Thank you all again!!

KeriD

Thank you all for the info!! It definately helps.

I am about 1/2 way through my weigh loss goal and seem to be hitting a plateau ( lost 1.2 lbs in 3 weeks) all while really hitting my calorie goals and working out about 5-6 times a week) So I am trying to mix it up. I am noticing a loss in inches so at least I know that it is paying off somehow.:bigsmile:

Thank you all again!!

KeriD

Thank you all for the info!! It definately helps.

I am about 1/2 way through my weigh loss goal and seem to be hitting a plateau ( lost 1.2 lbs in 3 weeks) all while really hitting my calorie goals and working out about 5-6 times a week) So I am trying to mix it up. I am noticing a loss in inches so at least I know that it is paying off somehow.:bigsmile:

Thank you all again!!

Me too.....I'm about to throw the scale out the window. Been losing inches though and am happy about that!

kelli_panzera

I have one with a chest strap and I love it. The calories burned here on MFP are not accurate per your particular specs...meaning if I put in the same exercise as you do, for the same amount of time, I am 178 pounds and you are 150, you'll way overestimate what you are burning based on the information I put in. And the machines at the gym tend to add about 20% more calories burned than what you actually burn. So based on this information, you can get a hrm and have fairly accurate info at your fingertips. For example my elliptical at the gym will tell me my heart rate is at 143, and it's really at 136 according to my HRM. So when I didn't know what I was doing, I would overestimate calories burned, overeat, and not lose weight or inches. Then I gave up.