BodyMedia vs Polar FT4 vs Polar FT7???

Anna_Joys_Journey
Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a Fitbit One that I use mainly to track sleep and steps. I recently purchased a generic HRM, but it doesn't have a chest strap and I don't have the ability to purchase one with a chest strap where I live.

I'm interested in purchasing a better HRM/activity tracker in the next few weeks. It'll be a hassle to get it shipped to me as I'll either have to bug some friend from America into doing it, or I'll have to figure out how to use the Japanese Amazon and then figure out how to speak enough Japanese to get my package. But anyway...

I'm not sure what to get. I had my heart set on the BodyMedia, but now I'm not sure. Any advice for a newbie? Reccomendations?

I'm a loooooong way (70+ lbs) from goal weight if that makes any difference. :)

Thanks y'all!

Replies

  • faceoff4
    faceoff4 Posts: 1,599 Member
    Only a HRM with the chest strap will give you your most accurate count of calories burned. Go with ether the polar ft4 or 7 as they are both great. If you are only looking to track calories burned then the ft4 is perfect. If you want more features then you can go up in models. Most fine the 4 perfectly adequate for what they need. Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.
  • jorgedr
    jorgedr Posts: 4 Member
    there is an English version of amazon Japan.
    http://www.amazon.co.jp/In-English/b?ie=UTF8&node=1094656
  • Anna_Joys_Journey
    Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
    there is an English version of amazon Japan.
    http://www.amazon.co.jp/In-English/b?ie=UTF8&node=1094656

    I know, but I can't get an order shipped to the base I live on. I can get it shipped to a convenience store, but then I'd have to know enough Japanese to tell the clerk what I'm after. Plus it's almost $30 more on amazon.jp
  • Anna_Joys_Journey
    Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
    Only a HRM with the chest strap will give you your most accurate count of calories burned. Go with ether the polar ft4 or 7 as they are both great. If you are only looking to track calories burned then the ft4 is perfect. If you want more features then you can go up in models. Most fine the 4 perfectly adequate for what they need. Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

    Thanks. :)
  • drop_it_like_a_squat
    drop_it_like_a_squat Posts: 377 Member
    I'm not quite sure what your question is.
    Do you need advice on which of the products to buy? Or how to get them where you live?
    And what is your purpose, anyways? Do you want to know how many calories you burn throughout the day or during work outs?
  • Anna_Joys_Journey
    Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
    I'm not quite sure what your question is.
    Do you need advice on which of the products to buy? Or how to get them where you live?
    And what is your purpose, anyways? Do you want to know how many calories you burn throughout the day or during work outs?

    Which one to get. I'll figure out the "getting it here". :)
    Um, I don't know. I'm just figuring this all out. I'd like to know how much I burn through the day, but obviously I'm not going to track every single calorie burned. Scrubbing the toilets and folding the laundry aren't exactly exercise. So I guess just to know what I am burning through working out? So I have a more accurate guess as to how many calories I need to consume.
  • drop_it_like_a_squat
    drop_it_like_a_squat Posts: 377 Member
    You said you have the FitBit already.
    I'd suggest you to get a HRM, if Polar FT4 or FT7 is totally up to you, I don't even know what feature the FT7 has that the FT4 doesn't, but yea. If you want to know the total calories you burn a day I would recommend wearing your FitBit throughout the day but take it off when you work out. Wear your HRM while you work out. Add it all together at the end of the day. = TDEE. Just remind yourself that it still is an estimation after all and to find out your accurate TDEE you'll have to keep an eye on how your weight changes over time in reference to how many cals you eat.

    I ordered the FitBit One yesterday, and that's the way I'll keep track of my calories burned.
  • SuMcP
    SuMcP Posts: 244 Member
    I've used both and HRM and Bodymedia and done a direct comparison. The Bodymedia monitor does give anaccurate calorie burn, but also gives you an accurate TDEE because you keep it on all the time, so you don't have to "rate" yourself in terms of activity level for MFP.

    The only issue with the bodymedia band is that you can't use if for swimming. The FT4, is waterproof as long as you don't push the buttons whilst you are actually under the water, so I will be using that to measure my exercise burn on holiday in Turkey next week, where it will be too hot to run. One other disadvantage is that you need an ongoing subscription with Bodymedia for the device to function, so that might be something you want to consider - mine came with 12 months subscription included; http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XNEW+BodyMedia+FIT+LINK-Bluetooth+Armband+BW+Weight+Mngmt+System+w+12-Month+Subs&_nkw=NEW+BodyMedia+FIT+LINK-Bluetooth+Armband+BW+Weight+Mngmt+System+w+12-Month+Subs&_sacat=0&_from=R40

    As for getting it to you, I would suggest you just ask a friend from back home to post it to you. If you get a body media band it will need to be registered in the USA. The UK models haven't caught up yet, which is why I ebayed mine from the States and used a friends address to register it.
  • Anna_Joys_Journey
    Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
    I've used both and HRM and Bodymedia and done a direct comparison. The Bodymedia monitor does give anaccurate calorie burn, but also gives you an accurate TDEE because you keep it on all the time, so you don't have to "rate" yourself in terms of activity level for MFP.

    The only issue with the bodymedia band is that you can't use if for swimming. The FT4, is waterproof as long as you don't push the buttons whilst you are actually under the water, so I will be using that to measure my exercise burn on holiday in Turkey next week, where it will be too hot to run. One other disadvantage is that you need an ongoing subscription with Bodymedia for the device to function, so that might be something you want to consider - mine came with 12 months subscription included; http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XNEW+BodyMedia+FIT+LINK-Bluetooth+Armband+BW+Weight+Mngmt+System+w+12-Month+Subs&_nkw=NEW+BodyMedia+FIT+LINK-Bluetooth+Armband+BW+Weight+Mngmt+System+w+12-Month+Subs&_sacat=0&_from=R40

    As for getting it to you, I would suggest you just ask a friend from back home to post it to you. If you get a body media band it will need to be registered in the USA. The UK models haven't caught up yet, which is why I ebayed mine from the States and used a friends address to register it.

    Well...this girl can't swim, so that's not an issue...haha! (A goal maybe?)
    eBay is still a thing? I used to buy my pageant dresses from there...but haven't been on in years! Guess I'll have to look there too! Thanks!
  • SuMcP
    SuMcP Posts: 244 Member
    ....can't swim....YET....:flowerforyou:
  • Anna_Joys_Journey
    Anna_Joys_Journey Posts: 253 Member
    ....can't swim....YET....:flowerforyou:

    Maybe! :happy:

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