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activity trackers

wilson62214
wilson62214 Posts: 1 Member
in Getting Started
just getting started here and was wondering if I could get some opinions on activity trackers. i would like to get as accurate a calorie count as possible for my work outs and I'm not sure if the equipment I have is doing that. the elliptical seems to be within 50 cals or so but my rowing machine looks like it could be off by 100s. in addition I would like to know what I'm doing on the days I don't workout. I'm really only wanting a calorie count, I don't need all the bells and whistles offered by many of the bands out there.

any opinions or advice on the many activity trackers out there? do they work? are they worth the money? do I need a heart rate monitor for an accurate calorie count? what about when I'm just sitting at my desk working will it continue to count calories? exactly how do they calculate how many calories you burn? if it is by steps like the old per meters will they still register accurately on an elliptical and/or rowing machine?

there are a lot out there and they all claim to be the best and when I speak with sales people they either seem to be uneducated on the products and know the same or less than I do or they just want to sell me the most expensive one.

any users out there that can give me some honest advise and opinions?

Replies

  • TheThriftstorian
    TheThriftstorian Posts: 20 Member
    Alright, you have asked a LOT of questions here.

    If you want an accurate calorie count, a HRM is the best way to go. But keep in mind that it only works when you're doing steady cardio, and you need to get one with a chest strap for the best accuracy. In addition, you cannot wear it when you aren't working out.

    For something more everyday, I would recommend a fitbit. There are a lot of other pedometer trackers out there, but in my own personal exploration of the different brands, I ended up just going back to a fitbit. It counts your steps during everyday activities, and I have had great success in losing weight while using a HRM and fitbit in conjunction with each other.

    To these points, I would recommend a polar ft4 and a fitbit flex.

    Good luck!
  • 5pmsomewherenow
    5pmsomewherenow Posts: 163 Member
    I've "graduated" from a smart pedometer to the FITbit Flex. I got one free, but they are about $90 or so if you shop around. I do like that it tracks: steps, miles, active minutes, calories, and sleep. With goals for each. I have found mine to be pretty accurate to what my smart pedometer had been telling me about my walking & jogging for the past three years.

    I've found the FITbit, worn on the non-dominant arm, to be a better gauge of overall everyday activity, and also workouts at the gym. I do strength/cardio classes, yoga, and also play tennis. I've found the calorie estimates to be acceptable.

    I love that I can sync the FITbit data directly to MFP. Basically, you get "credit" for everything you are doing over and above your TDEE. I have my settings on MFP and FITbit as sedentary because I commute 2 hours a day, and sit at a desk for 8 hours on weekdays. So, basically, now when I go out for a walk, get active doing something like gardening or super-cleaning, I get a little bit of calorie burn above the base TDEE, and it automatically syncs and updates in MFP with a running daily total for calories burned. I don't have to manually track activities on MFP -- which previously I was only tracking workouts, purposeful walking or jogging, and sports.

    After a month, I'm happy with the results of info it gives me to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    If you want accurate burn #s for cardio, that would be a heart rate monitor. Activity trackers are good for monitoring overall, full-day activity level by # of steps and such.

    I have a Fitbit and love it. IT gives me a measure of how active I am, and I use it to push myself to move more. That + logging my food (weighing it all) and eating 1400-1600 per day has worked wonders for me.
  • dcresider
    dcresider Posts: 1,272 Member
    Do not rely on machines to give you an accurate calculation of calories burned. By a heart rate monitor. I use Polar and love it. You can find it cheap on Ebay if you feel like cost is an issue.
  • JeffTCole
    JeffTCole Posts: 140 Member
    Try Endomondo app for recording your daily activity workouts. I have found it to be a fairly accurate - and its free.

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