Digifit v Polar

shooter560
shooter560 Posts: 15
in Fitness and Exercise
Over the last few weeks I have been using HRM to record everything I do down the gym, given i'm a gadget freak I thought I'd see how Digifit works in relation to my normal Polar Trainer.

Firstly I love that Digifit seems to do most things including uploading reports to here, almost too quick looking at how soon I get support from my friends on here, I can do a 30 min session on a treadmill, grab a drink and move to the rowing machine only to see a well done on the treadmill :)

Not complaining at all on that, however what I have noticed is a big difference in burnt calories between Digi and Polar, for example these last two days I did 1 hour sessions,

Day 1, Jogging, Distance 10km, 1% gradient, Avg HR 157, Max HR 170. Digifit calories burnt 967, Polar calories burnt 925

Day 2, Walking, Distance 6km, 4.5% gradient, Avg HR 125, Max HR 130, Digifit calories burnt 862, Polar calories burnt 673

As you can see Digifit suggests that there is only 105 calories difference between 10km running and 6km walking, whereas Polar states there is 252 calories difference. I think Polar is closer to the truth with the difference, I know calories burnt via HRM is a rough guide, so I don't take any of it as gospel but I would have thought digifit could have been better.

Pity as I prefer Digifit as it does upload to this site, but I think I'd better get used to updating my workouts manually from now on :(

Replies

  • mrbossman
    mrbossman Posts: 22 Member
    Which Polar HRM are you using? I have a H7 linked to my I phone I have the same issues. I have been using the Digifit app and uploading my information. Can you use both aps Digifit and Polar Trainer at the same time?
  • Ant_the_old_keith_lemon
    Ant_the_old_keith_lemon Posts: 272 Member
    to be fair none of the calorific burn data on any HRM is accurate there are far too many variables.

    i have noticed a higher burn on digifit, i thought it was down to the nett v`s gross > so i take off 150cal per hour as normal activity burn.

    you can use a hrm as a bench mark to see if you have worked harder in a shorter time/distance as long as you stick to the same HRM brand switching will only confuse you.

    if it were me i would use the Digifit for zone training, intervals etc and forget about the burn data... if you dont feel like youve worked out you probably havent gone in hard enough ;) forget cals live by the clock.
  • billfpal
    billfpal Posts: 2 Member
    Glad to see this thread. I've been using the Polar FT40 for about 2 years and it's been fine. Recently, one of my clients got the digifit app with a Wahoo Blue HRM and I really liked the instant visual feedback during our workouts. I bought the same rig about a week ago and have worn both HRM during two workouts since then*.
    Similar to shooter560, I find a significant variance in calories burned (about 200 more calories reported by digifit as opposed to the Polar.) I have emailed digifit to find out how they calculate calorie expenditure and specifically how the user-input profile data impacts that calculation (I input my own max HR and VO2max numbers based on GXT and performance-tested data). I have never been entirely happy with Polar's so-so customer service, but you have to give it to 'em in the technical department - those folks have their science down. It looks like they've done about everything possible to ensure a reasonably close calorie figure from an individual's profile and actual HR readings. Polar's explanation of the process is here: http://www.polar.com/en/about_polar/who_we_are/research/OwnCal
    Once I get digfit's response, I'll post it here. *My Polar uses the older RF transmission, so it does not interfere with the Bluetooth Wahoo; a somewhat clunky way to compare the systems, but it does the job.
  • billfpal
    billfpal Posts: 2 Member
    Just got an email response from digifit - they've posted their caloric burn formulas. At first glance, they don't appear to have the weight of much research or validation behind them; in fact, they're pretty close to what you can find on LiveStrong. Guess we'll have to decide for ourselves their relative merits. Here's the link: http://blog.digifit.com/2013/03/counting-calories-digifit/
  • FishingFan123
    FishingFan123 Posts: 48 Member
    Bump for later
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    the polar numbers look more accurate based on the workout and hr. Just my opinion.
  • FishingFan123
    FishingFan123 Posts: 48 Member
    bump for info
  • Ant_the_old_keith_lemon
    Ant_the_old_keith_lemon Posts: 272 Member
    i emailed support and allowed them to access my profile.

    apparently the vo2 max was set too high, however i have been tested for vo2 max and inputted that data :)

    i have trialed other configurations and have settled on an average fitness level so that i can have realistic burn data..

    HOWEVER....

    i still stand by my statement above the worst metric to monitor of a cardio workout is calories.... wattages, speeds, ave speeds, laps are the best indcator of any improvement .

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