So many tracking options....

I had a heart rate monitor with a chest strap. It stopped working properly so I'm looking into something else. I wasn't in love with the chest strap as it wasn't very comfortable to me. I've seen a lot of things like Up, Fitbit, body media ect. There are so many different options that its hard to narrow it down.

I'm wanting something to track my steps and calories burned. Right now my workouts consist of walking, swimming and videos such as Pilates and 30 day shred. I'm also wanting to start c25k soon, and once I'm more comfortable I want to start strength training at the gym.

So what would be best for me? I'm interested in any opinions, not just the few I listed above. Thanks for any input, this is all confusing to me lol

Replies

  • Mdin1029
    Mdin1029 Posts: 456 Member
    For couch to 5k I like the runtastic app on the iphone.
  • TaraJx4
    TaraJx4 Posts: 89 Member
    I have a c25k app on my phone that I really like. What I'm looking for is something like a hrm or fitbit ect to track calories burned ect.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    I have a c25k app on my phone that I really like. What I'm looking for is something like a hrm or fitbit ect to track calories burned ect.

    I'm not sure about Runtastic but the Nike+ Running app is only 5 calories off from my HRM. They also have the Nike Fuel band (I don't have this or want it since I have grow accustomed to the chest strap and don't really notice it now) which is very similar to the FitBit and UP. Really it's up to you. I would say write down everything you want it to do and the research them all until you find the one that works best for you.
  • My wife just picked me up a Fitbit. I like it. Lot's of metrics and it feeds into MFP well. The alarm feature is cool and if like me you're in a desk (sedentary) job you can set alarms on regular intervals to remind you to get up and walk around the office a little rather than just sitting there all day.

    I also like Runtastic and let it feed my exercise into MFP. It plays well with the Fitbit and gives MFP more information to make what seems to be, more accurate metrics. Runtastic also has an interval training feature that I like and lets you set up custom slow/medium/fast intervals for running.

    I started with Jeff Galloway's Motion Traxx podcasts doing the interval running 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 and then transitioned into my own routine I set up with the Runtastic app. It's a little easier because you can vary the music to whatever cadence you want instead of being stuck with someone elses mix.