Polar FT4 Worth getting?

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YorriaRaine
YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I was kinda looking to get a hrm, and the polar ft4 is within my price range. However I've read so many post saying heart rate monitors are not more accurate than anything else. I realize that they are not 100% accurate, and was sorta planning on taking a 1/3 off whatever calories it says I burn and then inputting that so I have a nice cushion as I plan on eating back the calories I burn off. (I'm using mfp default way of doing things, not tdee -20%).

Is it worth it or is it no better than using an online calculator that estimates it for you?

Also, if I'm just as well off using an online calculator, what is a good one. Currently my main form of exercise is doing jumping jacks on a rebounder (mini-trampoline), because it doesn't hurt my knees as much.
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Replies

  • jscheuf
    jscheuf Posts: 25 Member
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    I am currently looking for a heart rate monitor to get also to help with calories. I don't really know much about them and how accurate they are for calorie counters but I still would like to try one. When I was working out with a personal trainer she wanted me to get one so I could tell if I was in my target heart rate. I liked it so I knew if I was pushing myself hard enough or not. Sadly, my dog ate that one so I am looking to get a new one and am wondering what people recommend.
  • sunshine07611
    sunshine07611 Posts: 11 Member
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    I just recieved the FT4 after my long time HRM (another polar) died (it was over 8 years old). I love it. I know nothing is 100% accurate, but to me it is worth it. I never eat back 100% of my exercise calories just as a buffer, but it helps me stay on track.

    I used my old Polar years before joining MFP and it helped me greatly with knowing more accurate calorie burns, etc.
  • ashzacher
    ashzacher Posts: 114 Member
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    I have the Polar FT4F.

    The band fits fine around my waist. It fell off once, because I had it on up side down, haha.
    I find that it burns calories pretty well, but I do always compare with MFP just to be sure.
    For example, I will do 20 mins cardio, then 15 mins lifting, then repeat.. My HRM burns more than MFP does while lifting - this may be because I'm running beforehand so my HR is up? I'm not sure.

    Either way, I don't think it's a bad investment. :)
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
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    I've had an FT4 for about 2 years now. It really helps motivate me to see my HR & calories burned during a workout. Having used it on many different types of workouts over that time, I have to say generally I think it's pretty accurate.
  • krm0789
    krm0789 Posts: 134 Member
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    I love my FT4. The battery was too weak to pick up the heart rate signal yesterday. I felt lost without it - seeing the calorie burn gives me a nice push when I want to quit! I'm sure it's not 100% accurate calorie-wise, but I like tracking my heart rate as well & it has been totally worth the investment.
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
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    Thank you for your opinions everyone. I think I'm gonna end up picking up the ft4 and doing as I said and just take away 33% so I have a buffer in-case it is overestimating some of my calories!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    There's no need to take any % off as a buffer. I've been using a Polar FT4 for workouts for the last 3-4 years and eat back most/all of my exercise calories and have no trouble losing weight. If you're going to take a 30% buffer, you might as well go by what the cardio machines or MFP give you for burns.
  • ashzacher
    ashzacher Posts: 114 Member
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    Since we are on the subject, and this could maybe benefit the OP: Do you all take off (or 'buffer' I guess) calories considering you would have burned some regardless of if you were working out or not? For example if you do cardio for an hour and your HRM says 400 calories burned, do you account say 100 or so for the fact that you would have burned them anyways? Just something I always think about when I use mine!
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
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    Thank you for that info Minnie, I had read some topic on these forums somewhere (it was a bit older), saying there was some study done where they found it wasn't accurate because it didn't account for vo2max or something and on women it was off by about 33% or something. Which is where I got that number from. However, I kinda took that post and that study with a grain of salt because the study didn't have that many people in it.

    ashhzach:
    I actually had not thought of that, but that would be a good reason to just give myself a buffer anyway I suppose. :P
  • Riemersma4
    Riemersma4 Posts: 400 Member
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    IMHO: any HRM is better than having no HRM.

    I have used Polar. Currently using a Timex. Both are great. While nothing is 100% accurate, both were/are 'directionally correct'.

    I find that my HRM gets me to work out harder and more honestly.

    Good luck.

    Best!
  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 844 Member
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    I bought the Polar FT4 almost a year ago, and its the best investment ever! It's pretty accurate IMO. Like others have said, having a HRM is better than not!
  • abetterbrandi
    abetterbrandi Posts: 131
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    Kind of a novice when it comes to HRM. How do you see accurately how many calories you are burning? Is it something that syncs with MFP or?
  • FunSizedK
    FunSizedK Posts: 144 Member
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    I bought this and loved it but after 6 months it stopped working and changing the battery did nothing so I called and they send me a new piece that clips on the the band but again I have had it for about 6 months and this one stopped working also I don't believe I will be getting another one!
  • loveasunnyday
    loveasunnyday Posts: 11 Member
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    The Polar is a great brand. It is very helpful when running. I would absolutely recommend it. :smile:
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
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    I was kinda looking to get a hrm, and the polar ft4 is within my price range. However I've read so many post saying heart rate monitors are not more accurate than anything else. I realize that they are not 100% accurate, and was sorta planning on taking a 1/3 off whatever calories it says I burn and then inputting that so I have a nice cushion as I plan on eating back the calories I burn off. (I'm using mfp default way of doing things, not tdee -20%).

    Is it worth it or is it no better than using an online calculator that estimates it for you?

    Also, if I'm just as well off using an online calculator, what is a good one. Currently my main form of exercise is doing jumping jacks on a rebounder (mini-trampoline), because it doesn't hurt my knees as much.

    HRM is a waste of money !!! At least any of them with straps and **** ... you spend tons of time fixing the strap and looks like your rocking a bra if your a guy ... just saying ...save your money!!! However ... my HRM is a fantastic watch now ;)
  • Dreya711
    Dreya711 Posts: 79 Member
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    I have been using the FT7 for little over a week now (only chose 7 over the 4 because Best Buy had a one day sale on it for $69.99). It works exceptionally well, very easy to use and I definitely work harder when wearing it. I never eat all my exercise calories back, not because I am afraid to, I'm just not that hungry in the evenings (when I tend to work out and earn the extra calories). I also wear a Jawbone UP (fitness tracker) and wish I'd just bought the HRM and saved my money on the Jawbone. It's fun for about a week, but I don't see the usefulness in it like I do the HRM. For the poster who asked how to see calories, you just push a button once your workout is over and it displays time worked out, how many calories you burned, how many were "fitness" calories and how many were "fat burning" calories.
  • littlelaura
    littlelaura Posts: 1,028 Member
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    I love mine, easy to set up.
  • taylor5042
    taylor5042 Posts: 2
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    KristaSandquist, My FT4 did the same thing. You have to leave the battery out for a few minutes when you change it.
    This is according to Polar tech support. (Not well documented).
  • CristinAndrus
    CristinAndrus Posts: 6 Member
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    Love mine! I also have the Polar Loop. That also works with a chest strap and bluetooth monitor.
  • feltlikesound
    feltlikesound Posts: 326 Member
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    I love my FT4, haven't had any trouble or issues with it in 2+ years other than one battery change. It motivates me like nothing else, and makes me feel more informed when it comes to managing my weight/fitness.

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