Trackers with a HRM

DapperKay
DapperKay Posts: 140 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been doing some research on activity trackers in general and I've found that they generally fall into two broad categories.

1- Well advertised trendy trackers that mostly count steps (+some extra fluff) - reasonably priced
2- Less well advertised, specialist niche trackers focused on HRM - most you won't wear all day just when you work out - expensive

Initially I thought I wanted one from the first category, but thinking about it what I really need is a HRM since that's really the best way to figure out how much calories you are burning in a 24 hour period over a week or so, then you can tell your TDEE as your track your weight etc. Counting steps is only going to therefore give you an estimate of calories burned, and I'm generally trying to get away as much as possible from estimates into real time data.

Does such a tracker exist? Just wondering what trackers you guys have been using for this purpose - preferably it would sync up with MFP, but that's not a pre-requisite.

Replies

  • Buffy2point0
    Buffy2point0 Posts: 31 Member
    I am in the market for an HRM as well. I was looking at the TICKR by Wahoo but I am undecided. Would love sone advice as well.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Hear rate monitors are only good for steady state cardio and not designed to be worn over a 24 hour period. If you want something that will track 24 hours the best option is something like a fitbit. No matter what be it a HRM or a tracker they are still all working from estimates. I do have a HRM but actually don't use it much I occasionally wear it to help pace me on runs. I use endomondo for calorie estimates and that seems OK and when I've worn my HRM the calorie figures are similar but I take the figures anything gives me with a deal of skepticism.

    There are a lot of people who love fitbit so hopefully someone will be able to give you more detail on that. i considered one in the past but as what I'm doing is working for me I'd rather save the money and buy another pair of running shoes ;-)
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Garmin vivofit and polar loop are activity trackers which you then then link into a HRM for exercise. Also have a look at the Bodynedia fit
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Activity trackers show you your TDEE—way more accurately than any online calculator. Heart-rate monitors show your burn during cardio workouts. The two can work together, but if I had to choose one I'd say activity tracker, hands down.

    The two most popular brands are Fitbit: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1307-fitbit-users

    And Jawbone UP: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/13370-jawbone-up-bracelet
  • monolith66
    monolith66 Posts: 168 Member
    I recently ordered a BodyMedia fit LINK armband, it pretty much covers everything you need to know in terms of daily energy expenditure. This is what you're looking for, OP.
  • andythecurefan
    andythecurefan Posts: 43 Member
    I in no way work for Groupon, I'm just passing along this deal I found for a Bowflex HRM watch.

    https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-bowflex-ez-pro-heart-rate-monitor-watch-5
  • hyperchase
    hyperchase Posts: 13
    I bought a Fitbit One (Activity Tracker) and a Polar FT7 (Heart Rate Monitor), they were both about ~$100 each. I take off the Fitbit when I do workouts and manually log my calorie burn from the HRM reading and it's been working pretty good for me so far.
  • kayl3igh88
    kayl3igh88 Posts: 428 Member
    I have a Fitbit One, which I only take off to swap it with my Polar FT4 HRM for workouts.That pattern seems to work for me so I have an accurate TDEE (via fitbit) & exercise burn (via HRM). By far the best investments I've made yet as far as loosing weight is concerned. And they are about evenly priced here (UK) around £70/80 each.
  • kayl3igh88
    kayl3igh88 Posts: 428 Member
    I bought a Fitbit One (Activity Tracker) and a Polar FT7 (Heart Rate Monitor), they were both about ~$100 each. I take off the Fitbit when I do workouts and manually log my calorie burn from the HRM reading and it's been working pretty good for me so far.


    Exactly!
  • aliakynes
    aliakynes Posts: 352 Member
    I recently ordered a BodyMedia fit LINK armband, it pretty much covers everything you need to know in terms of daily energy expenditure. This is what you're looking for, OP.

    I was looking into this and was wondering, does the armband give info or do you need the subscription to see everything? What numbers to you get for free vs. what they make you pay extra for?
  • cfcann
    cfcann Posts: 3 Member
    I've tried Jawbone/Up, Fitbit, and Bodyfit Media and the one the I feel is the most accurate is the BodyFit Media. Here are the reasons why:

    Fitbit-very small and fun, I kept losing mine. It's almost too small. Although they were very nice and they replaced two at no charge I just felt like I was always looking for it or trying to track it down...even though you wear it 24/7. and I washed one when I had it connected to my bra.

    Jawbone/Up(non wi-fi) - kinda buggy...I got this for free from a gift bag from a golf tournament ( yea me!) but after about 6 months, it wouldn't hold a charge as long as it used too and it would turn off? I don't know what the deal is but I have very little tolerance for stuff like that...even if it was for free!

    BodyMedia-this was my first tracker and it seems to be the most accurate with not only measuring steps but heart rate. I feel like it takes that data and gives you the most accurate picture of how many calories you are REALLY burning! It is the "largest" but you can wear on your arm or under your pants around your calf...it works!

    You can link all of these with My Fitness Pal. I prefer MFP because it has the largest database out there and you can scan the bar codes. Just make sure the options/foods you pick have been entered accurately and thoroughly!

    Hope this helps!

    Btw: I don't care if people can see it or not....I figured they can see that I'm overweight! But at least I am trying to do something about it! If I'm going somewhere nice, I take it off...no big deal!
  • monolith66
    monolith66 Posts: 168 Member
    I recently ordered a BodyMedia fit LINK armband, it pretty much covers everything you need to know in terms of daily energy expenditure. This is what you're looking for, OP.

    I was looking into this and was wondering, does the armband give info or do you need the subscription to see everything? What numbers to you get for free vs. what they make you pay extra for?

    You get 3 months for free, but after that it's about 6$ per month. They give you online access to their Activity Tracker where you can see all your stats. Not sure what happens when the subscription ends.

    There's no display on the LINK, so no free info on the device.

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