Should I get a HRM?

CharlieJuliette
CharlieJuliette Posts: 459 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm fairly sure that the calorie burn figures given on MFP for the workouts I do are overstated. However I am losing weight at a reasonable rate at the moment, so does it matter? If my weight loss stalls I could then think about getting a heart rate monitor. What do you think?

Replies

  • BamBam1113
    BamBam1113 Posts: 542 Member
    What do you want one for?
  • chanstriste13
    chanstriste13 Posts: 3,277 Member
    i dig mine! i like being able to see my heart rate, because a lot of times i think i am maxed out, but i'm really capable of pushing more. if you go for one, get one with a chast strap, not a wrist watch only. i highly recommend the polar ft4.
  • M_lifts
    M_lifts Posts: 2,218 Member
    i havent got one. and personally i have done ok without it. its entirely up to you, if u are losing at a steady rate id say u dont need it.
  • missbrandyp
    missbrandyp Posts: 34 Member
    I have a bodybug and I live by it but I'd get a HRM if I didn't have it. I think it's great to be able to gauge things more accurate to YOU and how your body burns than just a generic number. It's the best way to gauge your fitness levels not just weight loss.
  • myukniewicz
    myukniewicz Posts: 906 Member
    I LOVE MY HRM!!!
    i think everyone should get one. lol.
    i wear it every time i workout, and it comes in handy when i take classes at my gym, like Zumba :smile:
  • aawh
    aawh Posts: 96 Member
    I got one about a month ago. Although I would loose pretty consistently anyway I just wanted to know what I was burning. With getting a more accurate count of my calories burned, my weight loss per week has been up almost another 1/2 pound.
  • Kolohe71
    Kolohe71 Posts: 613 Member
    i dig mine! i like being able to see my heart rate, because a lot of times i think i am maxed out, but i'm really capable of pushing more. if you go for one, get one with a chast strap, not a wrist watch only. i highly recommend the polar ft4.

    I second the FT4... Very confortable and easy to use. Plus for those of us that do our workouts on the water (outrigger canoeing), or if you sweat a lot, it has the added benefit of being waterproof.
  • Robin1117
    Robin1117 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I waited about 9 months to get one, actually I was already maintaining by the time I got one, so not having one did not hinder weight loss. But it got to a point where I really needed to get more accurate, and I was driving myself crazy googling articles on how much people of my size burn typically doing x or y. I knew I was overestimating just didn't know by how much so would guess at 30%, 40% etc...but I was never really certain.

    Once I bought an HRM the head games went away and I was much happier just having something to believe in so I could stop thinking about it. I'm sure some people on this site will tell you there is uncertainty in an HRM too--but I choose to believe it because you have to believe something, right?

    My husband just joined about 2 months ago and at first I suggested he wait but then couldn't resist buying him one a few weeks ago---once you get used to it, you will love having one. He kind of scoffed at it at first but was won over in just a week.......
  • CharlieJuliette
    CharlieJuliette Posts: 459 Member
    I hadn't considered that a HRM would help me to get more out of my workout by knowing what level I'm working at. Got to be a good reason for getting one.
  • CharlieJuliette
    CharlieJuliette Posts: 459 Member
    So the polar ft4 seems popular. Any other recommendations?
  • aawh
    aawh Posts: 96 Member
    So the polar ft4 seems popular. Any other recommendations?

    I got the New Balance N4 for Women from Target. It was about $69. Has a chest strap and lots of features.
  • borys12
    borys12 Posts: 98
    Hi,

    I have one, as part of my workouts are at home. In a gym machines are not as accurate. I had nice workouts today :
    10 min x trainer
    10 min treadmill intervals 5km/h - 14 km/h 1 minute each
    20 min treadmill intervals 6km/h - 8km/h incline 9 - 1 minute each
    10 min stairmill intervals level 5 / level 10 1 minute each

    and ... HRM showed 970 cal . I feel great :) You can really see advantage working at home, and lifting weights.
  • CharlieJuliette
    CharlieJuliette Posts: 459 Member
    Thank you for all the comments and advice. Really appreciated.
This discussion has been closed.