Heart Rate monitor

2

Replies

  • faceoff4
    faceoff4 Posts: 1,599 Member
    I personally love my Polar Ft40... Has a chest strap- which I dont mind and transmits HR to watch. The watch beeps when you get below or above your target heart rate for optimal calorie burn (calculated byt the personal data you enter in) PLus..it comes in pink so I was SOLD ;)

    The FT40 is what I have as well and love it. Go with any of the Polar models and you will be fine. The FT4 and FT7 are great entry models too and will usually have the features most need and want. If you go with any non chest strap type device just know it wont be overly accurate. I use the polar products with every activity I do and love them!
  • norahwynn
    norahwynn Posts: 862 Member
    Not my fault if you can't understand plan English

    *plain :flowerforyou:
  • tamikawoodson
    tamikawoodson Posts: 185 Member
    Speaking from experience, I have a sportsline wrist watch from WalMart($30.00) but it would stop working in the middle of my workouts so I was very disapponted. I bought a NewBalance N4 brand new on Ebay for $30 with free shipping, has the chest strap and I like it thus far, I've had it for a few weeks now. As far as calorie accuracy, I also use MapMyWalk when I walk and compare the two. I usually take the numbers and average them and then deduct 20% (just picked a percentage-no rhyme or reason). I hear and read alot about the Polar but I'm a single parent with a freshman in college so money is tight. I will one day upgrade to a Polar but for now I'm satisfied with my NBN4.
  • saeede83
    saeede83 Posts: 96 Member
    I have a Polar FT7 Women's HRM. I don't know how accurate it is, but I know the calories burnt is far off what MFP reports. There are times MFP says I burned 900 calories while my HRM reports 200 burnt calories. In that sense I think it's a good investment.
  • Brie4me
    Brie4me Posts: 238
    I have the polar FT4. Basic with chest strap. I got it on Amazon for less than $70. I really like it and use it all the time to calculate my calories burned.

    I got my Polar FT4 on Amazon for less than $70 also.
  • RLDeShazo
    RLDeShazo Posts: 356 Member
    I recently got a Polar FT7. I like it so far. But that is mostly because I like having numbers to work with. I don't know how accurate it is for calories burned, as I have never had that tested.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,944 Member
    I have a cheapo Polar FT4. My normal workout is 65 minutes on the elliptical targeting a heart rate between 140-153. According to the HRM I burn 510-540. According to the machine itself (which knows my weight) I burn 720-780. MFP database says 926.

    I tend to trust the HRM.
  • maegmez
    maegmez Posts: 341 Member
    I started with a Garmin FR70, great set up, basic functions that allow you to input personal data and resting heart rate. Loved it but as I really love running, I wanted to see my speed! Lol so....

    Got a Polar rcx5 and the GPS unit. Good watch but after taking fitness test, I think I agreed to adjust my heart rate max. Big mistake because it overestimates calories burned and your max heart rate doesn't change just because you reduced your rhr. A lowered rhr just means you have to work harder. Then I found out the GPS was off :(

    Decided to do more research and just bought the Suunto Ambit 2 and I love it! Should have bought this instead of the polar. It has great features and is so simple to operate and you can download apps to it or even create your own. Pricey but I got a bargain for a brand new one on eBay.
  • teaparty75
    teaparty75 Posts: 170
    Can't you just use how much you SWEAT as a gauge???? Why use a HRM anyway? So you can eat more? Please splain.
    Thank you!

    Not_sure_if_serious.jpg
    YUP !! that's exactly why i invested in a body bugg by body media ....how else could you effectively use MFP if you are inputting bogus numbers ? i look at it like a "bank account" , burning extra calories gives me wiggle room to enjoy a treat every now and then and still be under my calorie goal
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    Love my Polar FT4!!!!
  • Aparz1
    Aparz1 Posts: 949
    19708d1365371785-hope-little-steel-case-ammo-doesnt-hurt-bonjour.jpg

    LMAO, are you a French model?
  • scrapjen
    scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
    After hearing so many people rave about the PolarFT4 I picked one up, $60 or so on Amazon. It has been some interesting feedback. I already had a Fitbit (which I would recommend, it's great for getting an idea of you total activity, not just exercise). I like to get at least two estimates for different workouts (machine readout, Fitbit, HRM, MFP or other online calculator), it is interesting to see just how varied they all can be.

    It's all SUCH an estimation, but it's all good data. You can compare your workout one day to the same workout another day. The HRM can be a motivator when I jog ... I try to bump my heart rate up into "the zone" whereas I wouldn't have that feedback without it.
  • seliinac
    seliinac Posts: 336 Member
    Not sure using a heart rate monitor will be all that accurate either. Long time ago i used to run with a guy, we would run the same distance (~3 miles in about 16 - 17 minutes) at the same speed and at the end we woudl check our pulse rates. Mine would typically be over 150 his would typically be under 110.

    Thats because the monitor is calculating your body speciifically. unless you have the same weight, height, fat and muscle mass it wont be the same.
    Your heart is like a snowflake - there arent 2 the same

    Except that HR is only loosely tied to calorie burns.

    If something startles me, my HR goes up. Caffeine causes elevated HR. Am I burning more calories watching a scary movie or drinking soda? What if I do both at the same time???


    im a smoker which slows your heart rate yet at rest my heart rate is 120 lol maybe i should drink pop and watch scary movies while smoking

    Smoking actually INCREASES your heart rate, not slows it.
  • whyhelloheart
    whyhelloheart Posts: 82 Member
    I have the Polar FT7 and I bought it off of Amazon for like $68. It is amazing. It has honestly changed the way I workout. Buy one! :D
  • Laurenmp16
    Laurenmp16 Posts: 344 Member
    Agree with everyone else on the FT4. I have the pink one. I got in from Amazon for $60 and love it! If you plan on running at night, my ONLY gripe is that the watch is not backlit. The higher end models have this feature.
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 that I love


    As for MFP estimations, I think it's different for everyone. For me, I found that as long as I keep my exercise around 20 minutes, MFP, my HRM and the machine are usually within 10-15 calories of each other no matter what type of exercise I am doing. But the longer I go, the farther apart all of the numbers go. But, I know others are way off from the beginning.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    generally reliable on weights. The weights part may just be because I have a couple problems that cause me to rest a bit more between sets (at least it did at the time I used the HRM during weights) than what I observed of those around me. If i rested less it may have over calculated for my weights as others have found.

    I HRM is not reliable at all for weights nor is it meant to be used for lifting. Your HR isn't steadily elevated for it to work properly and gives exaggerated numbers.
  • REDMANIV
    REDMANIV Posts: 348 Member
    I bought my Polar FT60 off of Amazon and I absolutely love it. I have noticed that MFP is actually showing that I have burned less calories than my heart rate monitor shows when I enter in cardio activities. Training with a heart rate monitor is nice as you get a very accurate account of how many calories you have burned during your activity.

    Even if you do not buy your heart rate monitor though Amazon, I found it very informative to read the reviews from the different people who had bought the model of HRM that I ended up with.

    Do your research and find out which one you think will work best for you and the types of activities you will be doing. I like the FT60 because of the different programs that you can select depending on your goal ie, weight loss, improve fitness or maximize fitness as an example. Once you start the program, the program on the HRM sets weekly goals for you to attain such as duration goals, calorie burned goals and zone goals.

    Good luck and hope that his helps.

    FR
  • umer76
    umer76 Posts: 1,272 Member
    I have just bought my Polar FT7 yesterday. I can people are happy with it. I will find out today how much mfp has been over estimating my calories. I hope it is not too far off. Really excited about it:)
  • kazsjourney
    kazsjourney Posts: 263 Member
    I have had most polar ones at one time or another the FT40 was definitely my fave but I dont believe they sell it anymore (at least they dont in australia) i would have bought it again if i could have :) I currently have a suunto and i really like it...i dont like them when they have too many features,...i like a more simplistic approach....i really like the screen on the suunto its so clear and not cramped IMO like the polars are.
  • coll_6
    coll_6 Posts: 8 Member
    I personally love my Polar Ft40... Has a chest strap- which I dont mind and transmits HR to watch. The watch beeps when you get below or above your target heart rate for optimal calorie burn (calculated byt the personal data you enter in) PLus..it comes in pink so I was SOLD ;)

    I have the same one and love it, I got mine off amazon for a great price
  • Yourdonis
    Yourdonis Posts: 16 Member
    i just got the Polar Ft4...about 150 dollars i love it!

    I see this one online at target for $60.00. IS yours the FT4 OR FT40?
  • Yourdonis
    Yourdonis Posts: 16 Member
    Can't you just use how much you SWEAT as a gauge???? Why use a HRM anyway? So you can eat more? Please splain.
    Thank you!

    In my case, I use a heart rate monitor for steady-state cardio so I can be reasonably close in my daily calorie intake. I am trying to maintain, so I don't want to work out and eat too little, nor do I want to work out and eat too much.

    Yeah this is the main reason why i am looking to invest in one. I want to be as accurate as possible with what Im burning vs. what I am eating.
  • Yourdonis
    Yourdonis Posts: 16 Member
    I personally love my Polar Ft40... Has a chest strap- which I dont mind and transmits HR to watch. The watch beeps when you get below or above your target heart rate for optimal calorie burn (calculated byt the personal data you enter in) PLus..it comes in pink so I was SOLD ;)

    The FT40 is what I have as well and love it. Go with any of the Polar models and you will be fine. The FT4 and FT7 are great entry models too and will usually have the features most need and want. If you go with any non chest strap type device just know it wont be overly accurate. I use the polar products with every activity I do and love them!

    Thanks, I think I have narrowed it down to either the FT4 OR FT40. I just have to do a bit more research to find the best price and which one will really serve me best. Thanks Everybody. Your advice is much appreciated :-)
  • sw0301
    sw0301 Posts: 46 Member
    I personally love my Polar Ft40... Has a chest strap- which I dont mind and transmits HR to watch. The watch beeps when you get below or above your target heart rate for optimal calorie burn (calculated byt the personal data you enter in) PLus..it comes in pink so I was SOLD ;)

    The FT40 is what I have as well and love it. Go with any of the Polar models and you will be fine. The FT4 and FT7 are great entry models too and will usually have the features most need and want. If you go with any non chest strap type device just know it wont be overly accurate. I use the polar products with every activity I do and love them!

    Thanks, I think I have narrowed it down to either the FT4 OR FT40. I just have to do a bit more research to find the best price and which one will really serve me best. Thanks Everybody. Your advice is much appreciated :-)

    The one from Target is for males, may be large. http://www.bodytronics.com/p/polar_heart_rate_monitors/POFT4 Women's is $63 here!
  • caitlynah12
    caitlynah12 Posts: 34
    bump !
  • Seabee74
    Seabee74 Posts: 314
    Thanks...
  • stkr
    stkr Posts: 1
    Thanks for the info. :smile: It's time for me to do some research/shopping.
  • vaisht22
    vaisht22 Posts: 1
    Just ordered the Polar FT4 after reading the comments in this thread, hope it won't disappoint :)
  • roanokejoe49
    roanokejoe49 Posts: 820 Member
    Not sure using a heart rate monitor will be all that accurate either. Long time ago i used to run with a guy, we would run the same distance (~3 miles in about 16 - 17 minutes) at the same speed and at the end we woudl check our pulse rates. Mine would typically be over 150 his would typically be under 110.

    That could mean that he was just in better shape than you.

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