questions about Fitbit

toronto_j
toronto_j Posts: 206 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've gone through the Fitbit site and also searched here, but I'm still confused. I really want to get an accurate gauge of my calories burned throughout the day. Is a Fitbit basically a glorified pedometer? It doesn't measure heart rate, correct? I don't care about counting steps, I already walk almost an hour a day. But I do strength training and classes at the gym, and want to enter the correct calories manually in MFP. So I think it's actually a HRM that measure calorie burn that I want? Can anyone suggest a reliable brand/model that's easy to use? Thanks!

Replies

  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    Yes, it is a glorified pedometer.

    However, an HRM will not accurately measure anything but steady state cardio. So weightlifting would be out for that.
  • CTcutie
    CTcutie Posts: 649 Member
    Yes, you want a HRM for that purpose. Most people like Polar... try heartratemonitors.com
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    Yes - I have a Loop - same thing but it does motivate me to MOVE more throughout the day.

    However with the loop I can buy a chest strap and it will sync with it so I won't have to purchase another wristband monitor. I guess the chest band will be my next purchase.

    Edit: I seen Toronto in your name so here's the Canadian Polar site: http://www.polarheart.ca/
  • toronto_j
    toronto_j Posts: 206 Member
    So how DOES one accurately measure calories burned during strength training?

    And thanks for the links!
  • staciedee10
    staciedee10 Posts: 90 Member
    I do not measure calories when weight lifting. Only with my cardio. The weight lifting is a bonus for me. :wink:
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    So how DOES one accurately measure calories burned during strength training?

    And thanks for the links!
    Why not just ignore the calories burned? Or do you do it to be able to eat more, calorie for calorie?

    There is no 'accurately measuring' of calories burned, outside of a lab. It's all estimates. Log it as strength training and there's an estimate that's free.

    For people who want to know how much they burn daily on average, just log your intake for a month and your weight loss. If you maintained, your intake is your burn. If you gained or lost, do the math for 3500 calories per pound. Most people probably already log it all in MFP but never bother to use the data to figure out their actual TDEE. That's your best estimate and it's free.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    So how DOES one accurately measure calories burned during strength training?

    And thanks for the links!

    Strength training is not about an immediate caloric burn. The caloric burn from strength training is a long term benefit ... the lean muscle mass built in the gym burns calories even at rest thereby increasing your calorie expenditure day in, day out (higher TDEE).

    For input into MFP, simply log the activity you do. Over time, track your body fat %, weight, and calculate lean body mass and plug those into resting metabolism and/or TDEE calculators if you do not have access to professionals to do it for you.

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