Bodymedia vs FT4? or Nike watch?

chellebublz
chellebublz Posts: 568 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just curious for people who have used both what your reactions are. I can finally order one this week. I've been planning to get the Bodymedia. I do 30 Day Shred and some of Jillian's other videos, plus going to start going to the gym and working up to running and doing the elliptical and taking a Turbo Kick class. My concern with the Bodymedia is that it doesn't measure heart rate, but I've heard some say they feel it's more accurate despite that?

Replies

  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    The Nike thing is rubbish, don't even consider it.

    FT4 is only good when you're exercising. Not for 24-hour use.

    BodyMedia is excellent because it counts your calories burned throughout the day, steps taken, links with MFP, monitors your sleep, shows the split between vigorous and moderate activity, etc.

    I have one, and would highly recommend.
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    I personally prefer my Polar HRM over the Bodymedia, size, appearance and function, esp if you are going to be running at some point in your lifestyle journey. But thats just my preference.. I have read mixed reviews on both ..the Bodymedia you can wear all the time and see your calories burned and the HRM is more for exercise ,,,Happy that you are able to get one to assist you, my HRM been a lifesaver... best wishes
  • MIM49
    MIM49 Posts: 255 Member
    I can't say anything about a HRM but I have BMFLink and love it. It depends on whether you just want to track exercise calories or get an all day picture of your calorie expenditure. I had the Fitbit but it wasn't accurate for me. However BMF is supposed to come out with the CORE2 probably in the fall--it will also measure HR.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    ive had a bodymedia for about 3 weeks now and i love it. before that i have a polar ft4 (or maybe its the ft40..i dont remember)
    ive worn both during some cardio exercises and they measured about the same calories burned. ive heard some talk around the boards here that with increased intensity, the bodymedia isnt as accurate but i havent had a chance to test it. overall ive been very pleased with the BMF and would recommend it to anyone considering it
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I have both a bodymedia and an FT4. The FT4 only can be used for calories during aerobic exercise. The bodymedia is worn all day, is good for every day activities such as walking, cleaning, etc, but it reads a little low for actual exercise (I've worn both at once and compared). So it depends on what you want. Do you want an estimate of total daily calories burned? Or do you want to know your heart rate and calories burned during exercise?
  • chellebublz
    chellebublz Posts: 568 Member
    Hmmm not sure which I value more at the moment. How does the BMF accurately tell calories burned if it can't detect your heart rate, I guess that's what I'm confused on... Hopefully I'll be able to put both in my budget.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    It's easy enough to figure out your sedentary TDEE or your BMR so I use a HRM (Polar FT4) to measure exercise and track my HR. I don't want something strapped to me 24/7 and I don't feel a need to know exactly how many calories I've used doing everyday things. I also don't believe any machine can really be accurate enough to count on it for my calorie burn.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Hmmm not sure which I value more at the moment. How does the BMF accurately tell calories burned if it can't detect your heart rate, I guess that's what I'm confused on... Hopefully I'll be able to put both in my budget.

    The relationship between heart rate and calories burned is only easy to calculate during areboic activity. It's much more complicated at other times. This is why HRMs will not work for calories if you wear them all day long. Bodyfit has come up with other ways to estimate calories based on algorithms dealing other measurements including movement, skin temperature, skin conductivity, etc. The website has better information.

    Either way, it's all an estimate anyway. Having either or both doesn't automatically mean you'll eat less than you burn and therefor lose weight. They are just tool's like anything else. Plenty of people have had success without them.
  • ktrichards06
    ktrichards06 Posts: 46
    I prefer my FT4 because I mainly only need to know how many calories I am burning during my exercise. I wasn't big on the BMF because you have to pay a monthly fee for it and it costs more than most.

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