Are heart rate monitors bogus?

I used to think they were bonus until I bought a Polar RS300X and regularly have it custom set to my periodic metabolic test results at Lifetime Fitness. The target heart rates and V02 max is adjusted in the watch based on my actual data. I repeat the test every 3-4 months. There is a cost for this service but I do feel that it provides an excellent picture of my caloric expenditures throughout a given exercise session.

I used to think they were bonus until I bought a Polar RS300X and regularly have it custom set to my periodic metabolic test results at Lifetime Fitness. The target heart rates and V02 max is adjusted in the watch based on my actual data. I repeat the test every 3-4 months. There is a cost for this service but I do feel that it provides an excellent picture of my caloric expenditures throughout a given exercise session.

This is what I've been saying about HRMs. If you actually know your current VO2max, can program it into your HRM, and can regularly update your VO2max, then HRMs are much more useful. If not... they're kinda useless for calories IMO

I think tracking everyday activities is counterproductive, even though it might make people feel good about what they are told they have accomplished. IMO, unless you have changed into something suitable for working out then the calories should not be counted and even when you do then the calories should be averaged...if you are going to count of course. Daily activities shouldn't have an impact on your weight loss goals IMHO, I mean we added on the pounds while doing these same exact things right? We did not, however, add these pounds while busting *kitten* in the gym, warehouse, trail or wherever it is that you prefer to train. Something to think about.

Everyone is different, I know a lot of people who use HRMs, and the same workout shows completely different results. I can do TurboFire Fire 55 EZ class and burn around 400-500 calories, while someone else burns 800-1000. It is frustrating but my body just doesn't burn large amounts of calories.

I will sometimes log walking the dog or walking at the store if I am in there for over an hour, or when I carry groceries up two flights of stairs, but I don't eat back my exercise calories so I am not "cheating myself". I may log cleaning or something else to keep track of movement, but I do not count it towards my weight loss programs.

i think they are kind of pointless. If you are out of shape and unhealthy your heart is going to beat much faster during exercise than it would if your heart was healthy. That doesnt mean youre burning more calories, it means you heart is undergoing stress its not used to. Your recovery rate is also going to be much longer. It will take your heart longer to slow down after exercise- again not because your burning more calories but because the heart is under stress and not used to what its being put through.

I think IF you are healthy and your heart is in good shape and used to regular exercise it might be of some use- only to say "you were really working hard for this long" so I estimate you burned this many calories

I also suspect maybe people are "plugging" these crazy #'s in them selves. Who knows, but HRM's can't be that much off, can they? ... unless they're faulty?

Sure they can. If you get an untrained individual, their heart can be absolutely pounding with minimal energy expenditure.

Good point. And saw your other post about V02 MAX. Thanks.

My ft7 shows me well under what mfp for calories burnt yet higher than what the machine says I burned off.

Machines are just estimating based on how fast and time. If you have a HRM, a lot of times they will sync up with the newer treads, ellipticals, etc. to show you your burn in front of you. But, depending on the strength of the charge, it'll sometimes fail. Keep the chest strap tight.

. If you are not specifically "working out" then it shouldn't count towards your goals...

Total nonsense. Calories are calories whether you're walking from Best Buy to Macy's in the mall or walking on a treadmill.

. If you are not specifically "working out" then it shouldn't count towards your goals...

Total nonsense. Calories are calories whether you're walking from Best Buy to Macy's in the mall or walking on a treadmill.

I agree, although it is not "total nonsense". These calories are already estimated and factored in to MFP

No they're not. Or they might not be, depending on what your settings are. My setting is for sedentary. Walking around a mall for an hour is not included in that. Neither is going to Six Flags, cleaning the house, building some furniture, whatever. And neither is tennis, which is certainly a workout but not "specifically working out."

You should account for all the calories you burn, period. Wherever they come from. If you feel that something was already included in MFP's estimate, don't log it. If it wasn't already included, log it. It doesn't matter whether the purpose is exercise or not.

I think people are grossly over estimating. I might do a Les Mills Body Combat group fitness class where I am busting my butt. I can burn between 400-500 cals in 50 minutes. Im 213lbs!!

I am having the opposite problem. My HRM says I am burning way more than MFP calculates. It is a Polar rs200 or something?? I have my height, weight, and age etc. programmed in. When MFP calculated my workout, it gave me 190 whereas my HRM gave me 359. Which one should I use? thoughts??