Help! New HRM.

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Fragilebird24
Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
The majority of people that I've heard from on MFP agree that the only way to be sure about the amount of calories burned is to use a heart rate monitor. So, I bought a cheaper one for around $20. It reads my heart rate, has a stopwatch and a built in pedometer, but how do I know how many calories that I burned? Do I go by what the pedometer says? Does that even have anything to do with my heart rate, or just the amount of steps that I take? Help me, please!

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  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
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    Not all HRMs actually count calories. Does this one specifically say it does? Does it have a chest strap?
  • Fragilebird24
    Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
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    No, it doesn't have a chest strap. It looks like a watch.
  • ApexLeader
    ApexLeader Posts: 580 Member
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    can you connect it to a smartphone or a computer? if you can, then you might be able to use it with endomondo or another calorie counting app. those apps will turn your heart rate into calories burned and a lot of them even upload your workouts to mfp.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
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    The most accurate ones have a chest strap - I have the Polar FT4 and it records heart rate and calories burned on a watch-like second piece. It will track caloreis over an entire day and I used to it to get the accurate number for TDEE. Maybe get one with a chest strap?
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
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    Honestly, you should return that one and buy one that includes a chest strap. Even if the one you have now did include a calorie counter, it would more than likely be inaccurate.
  • Fragilebird24
    Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
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    On average, how much do the HRM with chest straps cost and where could I get one?
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
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    On average, how much do the HRM with chest straps cost and where could I get one?

    I got my Polar FT4 on amazon for $70
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
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    On average, how much do the HRM with chest straps cost and where could I get one?

    Ebay and Amazon will be your friend, you can find awesome deals. I paid 18 bucks for my HRM w/calorie counter and chest strap
  • jriehl08
    jriehl08 Posts: 157 Member
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    I bought the polar FT1 no calorie counter but I get an average heart rate from it then use www.shapesense.com to get calories burnt number from that site. I have only had the polar for 2 days now but I really think it helps to push your workout.
  • beeblebrox82
    beeblebrox82 Posts: 578 Member
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    take it back and buy something from Polar. Be prepared to spend more than $20
  • scribb
    scribb Posts: 3,659 Member
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    I agree with the majority here. You need one with a chest strap to be accurate.
  • dallas4u
    dallas4u Posts: 57
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    I would buy a HRM w/ chest strap just like everyone says. I bought the Polar FT4 a few days ago and it is very simple - just gives HR and calories burned. It also is coded so it doesn't pick up other transmitting devices (i.e. equipment, other peoples HRMs etc).
  • LisaGirlfriend
    LisaGirlfriend Posts: 493 Member
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    Definitely buy a Polar with a chest strap! Under $100 and is well worth it if you're serious about losing weight.

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