Do you use a monitor that tracks calories burned?

fierceatforty
fierceatforty Posts: 12 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I would like to be more precise on how many calories I burn during workouts and walks. thinking a monitor of some type will be helpful - something simple and inexpensive. Any preferences or suggestions on what to look for? what brand? ...

Replies

  • snowflakeheather
    snowflakeheather Posts: 37 Member
    I love my Polar FT4. I read a lot of discussions on MFP before purchasing it, and if you want accuracy, it's the way to go. I was disappointed that it showed less calories burned on several exercises than what MFP did, but I'd rather know and be accurate. It's super easy to wear and use. I've heard a lot of people get theirs from amazon.com in the US (I'm in Canada and it isn't nearly as cheap here!). I sure don't regret spending the money on it though!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Another vote for the Polar FT4 - inexpensive, easy to use, accurate.
  • MIM49
    MIM49 Posts: 255 Member
    If you want something that measures all day I feel my BodymediaFit LINK is pretty accurate. I use a phone app (Runtastic) and wear my BMF while walking and calories burned are very close--within 10-20 over a week long test.
  • RepsnSets
    RepsnSets Posts: 805 Member
    I use the PT7. Excellent tool. best buy exercise tool wise ever.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Polar FT60 here..... Love it.... Best of Luck
  • vcancel
    vcancel Posts: 96 Member
    If you want something that measures all day I feel my BodymediaFit LINK is pretty accurate. I use a phone app (Runtastic) and wear my BMF while walking and calories burned are very close--within 10-20 over a week long test.

    I use the BMF link armband too... I use the app on my phone to get live updates on what I'm doing at that moment and for the entire day. It also monitors your sleep and you can link it into your MFP food diary. I use it every day. I absolutely love it!
  • mad923
    mad923 Posts: 42 Member
    I've been lovin' my BodyMediaFit Link since November.
  • 78brownie_wechanged
    78brownie_wechanged Posts: 291
    Always Polar FT 4.
  • Ascolti_la_musica
    Ascolti_la_musica Posts: 676 Member
    I love my FitBit!

    It's not a HRM, so it has no chest strap. It's about the size of a grasshopper and attaches to my bra. I get little badges for climbing stairs, traveling a certain distance, or taking a certain number of steps. The calories burned are no more or less accurate than I saw with a HRM, but ZOMGNOCHESTSTRAPYAY!

    I also love that it syncs wirelessly with MFP, so I never have to enter my exercise. I can, if I want to, but it will send my calories burned whether I do or not. That means more time playing around in the forums! :-D
  • marshmallow8978
    marshmallow8978 Posts: 57 Member
    I have a polar ft4 also. Works great, no complaints. It wasnt super expensive eitherr.
  • banteringblonde
    banteringblonde Posts: 6 Member
    I just started using Bodymedia Core today - I love it already. Amazing how far off I was guessing at things on my own!
  • marialexx
    marialexx Posts: 18 Member
    I have a Polar FT60 and I really like it. It actually shows I have burned many more calories than those calculated by the work-out machines :) It takes into account your age, weight, and so on.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    HRM are only useful for exercise that really gets the heart rate up so probably no good for walking. BMF is for all day use. Lots of people use Fitbit for general activity and HRM for cardio exercise. .
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    HRM are only useful for exercise that really gets the heart rate up so probably no good for walking. BMF is for all day use. Lots of people use Fitbit for general activity and HRM for cardio exercise. .
    ummm you can get your heart rate up with walking. try walking uphill at a pace that's just below jogging speed ....


    anywho, OP i have a polar ft60 and i love it
  • chellebublz
    chellebublz Posts: 568 Member
    I have the Bodymedia Link as well and absolutely love it. I also have the Polar FT4 and I've worn both for quite a few workouts just to compare and the burn is very accurate with the Bodymedia to what the Polar says as well. I just prefer the Bodymedia because I love watching the data all day.
  • Emilia6909
    Emilia6909 Posts: 309 Member
    Polar FT7. Affordable, gives you heart rate & calories burned. Comes with usb attachment to sinc with Polar web.

    AWESOME gadget... would not be without it! :)
  • Snoozypaws3000
    Snoozypaws3000 Posts: 133 Member
    I've got a Ki-Fit [Bodymedia] armband like they wear on the Biggest Loser

    It monitors absolutely EVERY calorie I burn from the minute I get up to when i go to bed and even works when I am sleeping [as long as I wear it]

    Bit weird going to bed in just your armband though.....I know...TMI !

    :laugh:
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    The downside of the Polar FT4 is you can't key in your own max heart rate so it works on an average. The FT40, though more expensive is more accurate to your own personal settings.
  • sharptail
    sharptail Posts: 1 Member
    I use a Polar FT7. I think you need to subtract the calories you would normally burn while not exercising from what the monitor says. For example, if it says I burned 450 calories in an hour, I count 330 because it would have said 120 if I was just sitting in a chair. That said, I strongly recommend using a heart rate monitor.
  • klwells08
    klwells08 Posts: 158 Member
    I use a Polar FT7 and love that little thing.

    That said I've been looking at a BMF link. For those of you with a link, are any of you using it with an Iphone 5? I can't find anything that definatively says the new phone is supported. Thanks!
  • alexisjfrank
    alexisjfrank Posts: 32
    Just got my Polar FT4 yesterday and I already love it.
  • wswilliams67
    wswilliams67 Posts: 938 Member
    BodyMedia FIT... amazing. Get it from Costco.com for a free 12 month subscription to the Activity Manager. I've been wearing mine for 8 days, been keeping my caloric deficit at 1000 daily and of course working out and I have lost 2.8 pounds so far. Whats's awesome is you can clearly see what your projected TDEE for the day will be and adjust your intake as you go.

    I stalled out for 3 months and got very frustrated, even gained back 7 pounds while gyming 5 days/week. Once I put on the FIT I clearly saw I was over eating by 500 calories/day. No wonder I stalled and gained.

    I'm only taking this thing off to shower and charge from now on until I hit my final goal.

    IMHO it's completely worth the $150 to not have any guess work and frustration.
  • MelStren
    MelStren Posts: 457 Member
    bump
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I use a Fitbit. It's awesome. Way better than an HRM IMO. A BodyMedia Fit may be even better.
  • t2kburl
    t2kburl Posts: 123 Member
    I've used Fitbit and Polar FT7

    Polar FT7 is MUCH better!

    Everything Fitbit does is easily accounted for by setting your activity level correctly.
  • bogden78
    bogden78 Posts: 172 Member
    Haven't used it yet, but just bought the polar ft4 based on reviews from MFP users.

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