Why you should invest in an HRM

ValerieMartini2Olives
ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
edited February 2 in Health and Weight Loss
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Machine tells me I burned over twice what the actual calorie count is. That can make a HUGE difference in trying to lose weight.

Replies

  • Ainar
    Ainar Posts: 858 Member
    Nope... still don't feel like buying it. Didn't worked.

    Next picture!
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    Didn't work? It's coming up on my end.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Or. I could not track my exercise calories! Its so easy! And free! And effective for everything from running to lifting.
  • Sbrn_
    Sbrn_ Posts: 351 Member
    I was thinking of buying:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00423OLRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QUVH8Z1EYSHY
    It's pretty cheap, as money is an issue at the moment. Are cheap ones like this just as inaccurate as the machines and MFP's estimates?
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    I was thinking of buying:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00423OLRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QUVH8Z1EYSHY
    It's pretty cheap, as money is an issue at the moment. Are cheap ones like this just as inaccurate as the machines and MFP's estimates?

    I had a New Balance N4, which I spent about $65 on. I had that one for just over a year when I started having issues with it. I bought the Polar FT4 (in the picture), and according to the FT4, the N4 was overestimating my burn by 15-20%
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I was thinking of buying:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00423OLRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QUVH8Z1EYSHY
    It's pretty cheap, as money is an issue at the moment. Are cheap ones like this just as inaccurate as the machines and MFP's estimates?

    Not worth bringing home if it doesn't have a chest strap. Save your money for a decent one. Polar makes some great models at a reasonable price.
  • nerakma
    nerakma Posts: 77 Member
    I just ordered the Polar FT4 HRM watch with chest band today - will have it Monday pm. Can't wait to see what I actually burn on my usual run!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,522 Member
    I have a Polar. I never use it. I used it maybe ten times. Now I just figure 300 calories for an hour of moderate exercise no matter what I am doing. I've been doing that for years.

    Well, when I log at all.
  • Sbrn_
    Sbrn_ Posts: 351 Member
    @Mokey41 and ValerieMartin:
    Damn, that's disappointing :frown: Thanks anyway.
  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    ]th_58c62b6b-7242-4400-b3ac-389516ed3956_zpsa0009878.jpg

    Machine tells me I burned over twice what the actual calorie count is. That can make a HUGE difference in trying to lose weight.

    I fully agree with the OP on this.

    I tell anybody who is concerned about their calorie burn to invest in a Polar FT4, as it's deadly accurate for calorie burn readings.

    As much as I do appreciate MFP, it does grossly overestimate calories burned!
  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    I just ordered the Polar FT4 HRM watch with chest band today - will have it Monday pm. Can't wait to see what I actually burn on my usual run!

    Brilliant!

    One of the best purchases you'll ever make!

    I have the Polar FT4, and I highly recommend it!
  • lucystacy71
    lucystacy71 Posts: 290 Member
    I don't think a HRM would work for me because I'm on medicines to regulate my heart so, no matter how hard I exercise, it doesn't (can't) speed up.
  • vickyplum
    vickyplum Posts: 193 Member
    I was thinking of buying:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00423OLRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QUVH8Z1EYSHY
    It's pretty cheap, as money is an issue at the moment. Are cheap ones like this just as inaccurate as the machines and MFP's estimates?

    Not worth bringing home if it doesn't have a chest strap. Save your money for a decent one. Polar makes some great models at a reasonable price.

    Have to agree I actually bought one at this price but it wouldnt even take my pulse properly so yeah save your money for a proper one
  • madtownjeremy
    madtownjeremy Posts: 249
    I don't think a HRM would work for me because I'm on medicines to regulate my heart so, no matter how hard I exercise, it doesn't (can't) speed up.

    Are you on BP meds? I am too...I spoke to my doc about my heart rate not getting high enough because of them and so we changed them up to something a bit more flexible. Srsly...talk to your doctor. They'll have some ideas for you.
  • lucystacy71
    lucystacy71 Posts: 290 Member
    I'm on blood pressure meds, medicines to regulate the heart rate, and a long acting nitro. The doctor has to keep upping my meds because my blood pressure will shoot up really high from time to time. I'm in kidney failure and, sadly, the kidneys really help regulate blood pressure. The dialysis has also weakened my heart a good deal.
  • mheebner
    mheebner Posts: 285 Member
    Thats funny because my HRM always says 30-40% higher than any of the readouts on the elliptical/treadmill/stationary bike.
    I always split the difference.
  • james6998
    james6998 Posts: 743 Member
    If i can ever find someone to sell/trade this to i will get my wife one. This was a prize I won from an online contest.
    griddler_zps273b30e4.jpg
  • nerakma
    nerakma Posts: 77 Member
    I just ordered the Polar FT4 HRM watch with chest band today - will have it Monday pm. Can't wait to see what I actually burn on my usual run!

    Brilliant!

    One of the best purchases you'll ever make!

    I have the Polar FT4, and I highly recommend it!

    Yay! :glasses:
  • Spaghetti_Bender
    Spaghetti_Bender Posts: 509 Member
    I just ordered the Polar FT4 HRM watch with chest band today - will have it Monday pm. Can't wait to see what I actually burn on my usual run!

    I've had mine for over a year, and it's great. The only thing I would recommend though, is paying attention to maintaining it. Some people have had issues with it, but they have been just minor fixes....................from what i've heard.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    I totally agree with OP. Even though I just do TDEE-20% now and don't bother logging my exercise calories anymore.

    In my experience it was the other way around though... my HRM was giving me more calories burned than the treadmill (about 10% more).
  • cbattles516
    cbattles516 Posts: 39 Member
    You need to be careful with calories even with a HRM. I have 2 Garmins atm and I took them both on a ride today. Both reading the same HRM. Both providing the same distance and elevation change within 5%. The 405CX says 718 calories burned for a 17+ mile ride and the edge510 says 1046. The calories you burn are based on your physical makeup and ANY number that a machine or a HRM gives you is only an estimate. And a pretty loose estimate at that. If you want to know how many calories you are really burning, you need a RMR, VO2max et. al. to get close.

    And MFP puts my calories at ~1300 for the same activity.... Just a watchout.

    Be happy with yourself that your exercising and getting into shape. DO NOT eat back all the calories that MFP, the treadmill, your HRM et. al are reporting unless you know the accuracy is there. That's an easy way to sabotage your progress. If you exercised hard, you can allow yourself to go over your goal, but as many ppl have said on these forums, If they ate back all the exercise calories that were reported, they would probably be gaining weight.

    To sum up: My position is that a 75 minute bike ride can in no way offset an entire pizza. Be sensible and stick to your goals.
  • OnionMomma
    OnionMomma Posts: 938 Member
    I don't think a HRM would work for me because I'm on medicines to regulate my heart so, no matter how hard I exercise, it doesn't (can't) speed up.

    Are you on BP meds? I am too...I spoke to my doc about my heart rate not getting high enough because of them and so we changed them up to something a bit more flexible. Srsly...talk to your doctor. They'll have some ideas for you.

    I didn't know this about BP meds.

    This might explain why I have plateaued even though I have added in tons of running and revamped my lifting. I started on meds in May. I have only lost about 5lbs since then, makes no sense to me.

    I will have to bring this up to my DR.

    Are some meds better than others in this regard.

    I'm taking Losartan 50mg once a day. If my pressures dip to low, I take half, if my pressures rise to a certain mark, I'm to take the whole dose.

    Hey, I was just glad to finally find a DR to RX some meds before I had a stroke. I'm only 36 and all the kidney tests they did came back normal. :(
  • nerakma
    nerakma Posts: 77 Member
    I just ordered the Polar FT4 HRM watch with chest band today - will have it Monday pm. Can't wait to see what I actually burn on my usual run!

    I've had mine for over a year, and it's great. The only thing I would recommend though, is paying attention to maintaining it. Some people have had issues with it, but they have been just minor fixes....................from what i've heard.

    Ok, thanks for the advice. I am pretty careful with my stuff anyway - I hate our throw-away attitude to stuff :grumble:
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