Hrm and fitbit

I use both, but it's probably overkill (especially since I don't generally eat back my exercise calories!). I use the HRM with a chest strap during my runs or any other cardio exercise for a more accurate calorie burn and log it here in MFP (making sure to track the time of the exercise); and then I wear the Fitbit One around to monitor steps / flights of stairs for the rest of the day, outside of formal exercise time. For me, the Fitbit data is more trivia than anything; it's mostly just to indicate to me when I need to move my butt a bit more after a lazy day at my desk job. I'm sure others use theirs differently, though, so this is just one woman's opinion!

Hi I already have a polar hrm and find it very useful for tracking exercise however I'm wondering whether I should get a fitbit for tracking calories from daily activities. Anyone use both? Is it worth using both or is this overkill?

I use both. Is it overkill? No, not really, because they both excel at different things. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. If you're a numbers junkie like me, then definitely get both. Otherwise you probably don't need to.

Ah ok so is the fitbit just a glorified pedometer? I was hoping for some thing which would give me a more accurate calorie count so that I could make sure I wasn't creating too much or too little deficit for my goals?

I'm not sure how pedometers work, but that's probably not far from the truth. Accelerometer-based devices (like the fitbit) are, IME, pretty accurate for non-exercise based calories (regular daily life, if you will), but exercise burns are all over the board.

I have both a Polar FT60 and a FitBit ONE -- I use both for different reasons.
The Polar HRM is good for a specific activity -- like going to the gym and doing zumba for an hour.
FitBit doesn't track things like that -- it keeps a running tally of your entire day -- steps, stairs, calories burned etc.
FitBit also tracks your sleep which I find very useful.

I have both an HRM and a FitBit - the HRM I use when I'm actually doing exercise (like going for a run, working out at the gym, etc), and I wear the FItBit on a daily basis to get myself up and walking more at work. I've found my HRM to be more accurate with calorie burn, but the FitBit is great for tracking daily mileage. And I love that the FitBit syncs with my phone! I wish my HRM did that, but I have to enter it manually on MFP.

BodyMedia is the best! I would recommend that device over all others.

Why? I've found my BM Fit to be no different than my FB flex.

BodyMedia tracks calories burned even when you are sitting, sleeping, or doing dishes. It is meant for daily life, whereas FitBit just tracks active calorie burns.

I also like the fact that it tracks your sleep. I went with the One and I really like it.

Ah ok so is the fitbit just a glorified pedometer? I was hoping for some thing which would give me a more accurate calorie count so that I could make sure I wasn't creating too much or too little deficit for my goals?

I'm not sure how pedometers work, but that's probably not far from the truth. Accelerometer-based devices (like the fitbit) are, IME, pretty accurate for non-exercise based calories (regular daily life, if you will), but exercise burns are all over the board.

Exactly, which is why the HRM is great for that, which you can use for anything that isn't well tracked by a pedometer. I do boot camp and we do lots of intervals and weight lifting. On an interval day the fitbit tells me I was active for about 10 min (when class is 45 min) on a mostly weights day, it says even less, of course, but my heart rate is definitely up there because we still do some running between sets and things like push ups and squats, which can get your heart rate going. Plus I lift fairly heavy weights.

I just ordered an HRM today to compliment the fitbit and to have a more accurate assessment of my boot camp calorie burn.

Just as an FYI, an HRM isn't likely to be very accurate with things like weights and intervals. They are intended for steady state cardio. Intervals aren't steady state, and weights are neither steady state nor cardio.

Well, a HRM with a chest strap is definitely the more accurate determination of calorie burn... while you're wearing it, that is. The Fitbit is a simple accelerometer that counts your steps, has an altimeter to determine the number of flights of stairs (some of them do this; not sure if they all do), and can make some estimation of the intensity of your workout, but your accurately measured HR is still a better indicator of burn. That being said, if you don't wear your HRM around all day (I certainly don't!), the Fitbit still provides other meaningful data.

Some people really seem to love theirs and live by it; I just think of it more as trivia and some motivation to move.

Well, a HRM with a chest strap is definitely the more accurate determination of calorie burn... while you're wearing it, that is. The Fitbit is a simple accelerometer that counts your steps, has an altimeter to determine the number of flights of stairs (some of them do this; not sure if they all do), and can make some estimation of the intensity of your workout, but your accurately measured HR is still a better indicator of burn. That being said, if you don't wear your HRM around all day (I certainly don't!), the Fitbit still provides other meaningful data.

Some people really seem to love theirs and live by it; I just think of it more as trivia and some motivation to move.

Again, just to clarify...

HRMs use HR as the key factor in estimating calorie burn. HR is NOT a reliable determinant for calorie burn, so HRMs will always be flawed (more or less so depending on the equations they use), but to say something is more accurate because it knows your HR is a false statement.

And as you said, HRMs are not meant to be worn all day, and the estimates they give when you aren't exercising will be way off.

I use both and don't find it to be too much work. I got myself really frustrated by all the different calorie calculators out there (TDEE-20%, etc) that kept giving me different numbers. I mean, what exactly is the difference between light and moderate exercise??? Anyway, wearing the Fitbit for daily activity and the HRM for exercise gets me as close to knowing exactly what I burn each day as possible - no more guessing. Since I started using them together, my plateau finally broke and I think it's because I finally hit the right balance in my deficit. Just for reference, I typically eat back between 80-90% of my exercise calories, because I like to leave a little cushion for those occasions when I have to go over.

I considered the BodyMedia but wasn't thrilled to have to wear something strapped to my arm everyday. Not very pretty for wearing short sleeve business attire.

Yeah, that is the worst part about it, but BodyMedia is the only device that works for me, personally. I always wear something over it to hide it at work. I would rather not show off my fat arms anyway, lol.

BodyMedia tracks calories burned even when you are sitting, sleeping, or doing dishes. It is meant for daily life, whereas FitBit just tracks active calorie burns.

Tracks, or estimates?

BodyMadia does NOT measure, it estimates.

Sleeping is BMR calorie burn, non-moving and non-sleeping is BMR or RMR calorie burn depending on if the sensors for heat work well for you.

And arm movements totally throw it off, like washing dishes or typing.

But guess what FitBit uses for all non-moving time, your BMR calorie burn. So the difference between BMR and RMR is about 150-200 calories daily. Divide that out by hr of actual non-moving time - and you'll find it ain't that much a hit in the accuracy department.

You might want to read up on some studies of the BMF unit besides their marketing material, it isn't the next best thing since sliced bread.

Hmmm, did peanut butter come before or after that....

BodyMedia is the best! I would recommend that device over all others.

Why? I've found my BM Fit to be no different than my FB flex.

BodyMedia tracks calories burned even when you are sitting, sleeping, or doing dishes. It is meant for daily life, whereas FitBit just tracks active calorie burns.

Fitbit tracks the same things BodyMedia tracks. It's not just for exercise. It's meant for daily life too.

Wow, this is like Mac vs. PC! Who cares? lol I have a preference, you have a preference. The end.

Exactly, and up until that comment you were dissing one because of lack of knowledge on how either worked.

It works well for you - there ya go.

And for Jackson they both worked exactly the same.

And for me, the BMF was worthless.

Nah, I did tons of research. I bought a FitBit in February and hated it. I got BodyMedia and have been using it for months. I've lost 56 lbs so far. Must be doing something right.