Cut me some slack--Treadmill question

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Since August I have been walking/running outside, but with the high in the teens I refuse to work-out in those temps. I got a YMCA membership and today was the first day I used a super fancy treadmill. I probably haven't been on a treadmill in 20yrs and there is a big difference between treadmills then and treadmills now. Anyway, when I got on the machine it asked me for my weight. I punchedin 190. I dont remember if it asked male/female--it may have. It did not ask my height or my age. So, I have a Polar FT4 which I have been using since September--which of course it has all my information programmed in it. When I was walking on the treadmill it showed my heartrate--even though I wasn't connected to anything or touching anything (other than my feet of course). I kept checking my heart rate and they both were dead on with each other. Are treadmills synced with Heart rate monitors without me having to hit any buttons? Also---the calories on the treadmill were significantly less than my HRM. Should I still use my HRM calculations since it is more peraonalized to me?

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  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
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    Yes, the treadmill is syncing with your HRM, suprised me the first time too. And yes, I would stick with the calorie burn from your HRM since that has more personalized data.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
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    It could be that it linked up wirelessly, but I doubt it. Regardless, just go by what your HRM says anyways.
  • tirola
    tirola Posts: 74 Member
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    The treadmills at my gym do usually pick up the heart rate from my heart rate monitor without me needing to hold the sensors. I use the calories burned from my HRM though because, like you said, it has all your information programmed in. I usually don't even bother to enter any information into the treadmill since I have my HRM anyway.
  • Dlacenere
    Dlacenere Posts: 198 Member
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    Use your HRM's numbers and yes they synch with polar HRMs in most cases now for heart rate, pretty cool.
  • mellenorris
    mellenorris Posts: 99 Member
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    Some treadmills will pick up your Polar HRM! I'm sure they're listed on Polar's website. I usually just consider myself lucky if the treadmill I use picks up the signal :)

    Your HRM knows more about your stats than the treadmill. Trust your HRM! If you feel uneasy about it, take the average between the two.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
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    Some treadmills do read your HRM. The elliptical machines in my gym will work with my Polar HRM.
  • tavenne323
    tavenne323 Posts: 332 Member
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    The treadmill I use picks up my HRM no problem...in fact, the treadmills on either side of me pick up the signal too. I only take calories off my HRM (FT7) and never enter anything into the treadmill. I'll enter my weight if I have to use an elliptical though, the resistance is tied to that number.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
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    Yes, the treadmill is syncing with your HRM, suprised me the first time too. And yes, I would stick with the calorie burn from your HRM since that has more personalized data.
    Yep, my treadmill does, too. I think it's common for Polars.
  • Jacson53
    Jacson53 Posts: 62 Member
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    The TechnoGym treadmills in my gym have metal hold bar. The bar picks up heart rate quite accurately when checked against my Garmin.

    Never thought about it syncing.
    Just ordered a Polar FT7; going to have some playing with that.
    Thanks.