Fitbit Flex vs HRM

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PaulaDBailey
PaulaDBailey Posts: 9 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I know this discussion has been brought up several times, but alas, I feel the need to talk about it.

I'm really torn on which to buy: the fitbit flex/force or a HRM. Which is better for my weightloss needs? I would a product that combines both.

What have you found has helped you to meet your weightloss and health goals?
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Replies

  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
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    I use both.

    I wear my fitbit all day (hooked in my bra), and I wear an HRM when I'm working out sans the fitbit.
  • Rerun201
    Rerun201 Posts: 125 Member
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    Depends, really.

    If you are interested in accurate measurement of your calorie expenditure during exercise, you're better off buying the HRM but make sure the model you choose will compute calories burned.

    If you feel you are more in need of motivation to get you moving a minimum amount on a regular basis, then the FitBit is probably more what you're looking for.
  • Soufre
    Soufre Posts: 236 Member
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    I have a Fitbit but I'm going to get an HRM too. Fitbit's nice because you can set goals for yourself like walk 10,000 steps per day or have 60 active minutes. And when you accomplish said goal, the Fitbit buzzes. So to me, Fitbit makes exercising a game and it motivates me.
    Fitbit can be worn all day.

    HRMs however are good for cardio and monitor your heart rate. They give a more accurate calorie burn than the machine can or what MFP can calculate.
    HRMs are worn during workouts (usually cardio).

    So it really depends on what you want to accomplish...

    Edited for typos.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
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    I have a Fitbit Flex and love it!

    Though it makes me sad when it takes away my calories :sad:
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
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    What have you found has helped you to meet your weightloss and health goals?
    I lost weight with a Fitbit. A HRM was nice for interval workouts but I never use it anymore. Once you know roughly what you burn, why bother? You can also get that info from an activity database, too.
  • freyaheart
    freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
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    I have a Force and a HRM, wahoo blue hr. I use both! My force is for all day and I use my HRM at the gym.
  • dhogan72
    dhogan72 Posts: 4 Member
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    Bump...I am having the same dilemma as to which is the best investment for me.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    I have and use both along with GPS.

    The Flex is useful for tracking overall daily activity such as sleep, daily steps, tracking periods of the day when you are active vs sedentary.

    The HRM is good for tracking expenditure during periods of deliberate cardio activity. If you walk briskly enough to elevate your heart rate, jog, run, zumba, elliptical, stairmaster, bike (indoor or outdoor) ... a HRM can help you track that activity and your body's adaptation to effort and recovery after exertion.

    The app I use also includes GPS functionality enabling me to track the effect of terrain on my heart rate, average speed, distance etc.

    Which device is right for you depends on what information you want to track.
  • brayla1
    brayla1 Posts: 142 Member
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    I have both a Fitbit Flex (until recently had a Fitbit Ultra) and a BodyMedia device. I have to say they each perform a separate function, however, both are extremely useful. I have really kicked in my committment level and am motivated by both devices. I am working at increasing steps on a weekly basis. Also, since BodyMedia links with MFP it nicely complements my weight release journey. I would highly advise at least getting one of these devices to get moving towards your goal. Hope this helps! Cheers!
  • aekaya
    aekaya Posts: 163 Member
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    I've used both and like the fitbit better, honestly. The HRM is good because it can measure a larger range of activity (the fitbit won't take bike riding into account, for example), but I've been losing weight by getting to my 10k steps per day, thanks to the fitbit's motivation.
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
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    I had a Flex (got in July) but now have the Force (since Nov).
    I also have a Polar FT7 HRM

    They are both for different purposes. You don't wear the HRM 24/7 like you would the Fitbit.

    For motivation, hands down the Fitbit.

    When I walk I use both the HRM to keep my HR in the zone and track other stats etc, I can see the amount of steps I'm taking on the Force and I use RunKeeper for GPS (avg mile pace etc).
  • daweez04
    daweez04 Posts: 35 Member
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    Get both if you can.

    I use my Fitbit One all day, helps me get a good idea of my daily activity (TDEE)

    Then when I got really serious about losing weight I got the HRM. I have a bluetooth one that syncs with my cell phone, pair it to my Endomondo app.

    With Fitbit and Endomondo connected to MFP it really helps get a good snap shot of my day. It s amazing how much I was "winging it" before I got these tools. They have really helped me.

    BTW, If you can only get one, and you don't eat back your exercise, I would go with the fitbit (if you aren't eating back you exercise, a rough estimate of calories burned is all you really need.)
  • WakkoW
    WakkoW Posts: 567 Member
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    My understanding is that HRMs are only useful for steady state cardio.

    I rarely run at a steady state. I love intervals.

    I lift weights four times a week, and from what I have read, it is not accurate for lifting.

    I have a fitbit, which I love. I considered a HRM, but from what I have read, they are not accurate for my activities.


    What are you looking for? What do you need? They are not equal.
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
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    It depends on your activity. I use a HRM (Garmin 410) because I run and I train and run by heart rate. It to me gives a more accurate account of calories burned and distanced traveled. You can also upload your activity to the Garmin database and run reports, analyze data and so much more. It also can be used for cycling and other activity.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    HRMs work fine for interval training. The programs associated with them do not calculate caloric burn well for things such as lifting.
  • PaulaDBailey
    PaulaDBailey Posts: 9 Member
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    Thanks for all the advice. I think for what I want to track, I may need both.
  • susanrechter
    susanrechter Posts: 386 Member
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    going to get a fitbit. :smile:
  • BokBagok
    BokBagok Posts: 345
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    I did a pretty thorough write-up on fitbits vs hrms over here;

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1168915-can-t-decide-on-a-fitbit-or-an-hrm-read-this
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
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    I use both too. Have had a Fitbit since May 2012 (the Ultra, then the One, then the Flex). This fall I bought a Garmin GPS watch & HRM chest strap.
  • CanadianRunaway
    CanadianRunaway Posts: 4
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    I think the FitBit is great if you are looking to analyze your day to day. If you are looking for data FitBit is the way to go. You will be able to locate correlations that possibly exist and perhaps make changes to see better data outputs. For example, you may see a correlation between certain foods and sleep and know to stay away from certain ones, or others help you sleep, of course this example is based on you tracking your diet. So if you would like to see if any patterns exist, which can be useful information for anyone than that's a great route to go. It's also great if you are just getting started and want to start with working on just being more active by taking more steps.

    The HRM on the other hand in my personal opinion is the route to take if you are trying to lose weight. The reason being the monitors on the machines are junk (if you are hitting the gym, or have at home machines) and are not going to give you an accurate reading. So why a HRM when it comes to weight loss goals? Because your body burns fat in certain zones, and even more fat if you know your own personal zones. One you hit a certain HR you move into cardiovascular zone which is great for your heart, but isn't going to give you the results you are looking for (as much). The idea is to get your heart rate into that sweet spot and watch the pounds melt.

    So quick answer - FitBit if you are trying to get moving period and/or you love data and are looking to find correlations in your daily life. A HRM if you are looking to work out and loose lbs.

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