Best calorie tracking device?

daisyverma
daisyverma Posts: 234 Member
edited October 2014 in Chit-Chat
I am curious as to which calorie tracking device is the best based on experience?

There are a couple out there, all with mixed reviews

I have heard of the FitBit and JawBone but there are so many out there when I turn to google

Looking for something accurate, easy to wear and long lasting/good quality. Ideally something under 100 but if its a few bucks more and good quality, then I will spend more.

My main goal is to track the calories burned during fitness classes (i.e. Zumba, Body Combat etc.), as I am finding it hard to lose weight, even though I workout 3-4 times a week. I feel as if I am over estimating the calories burned which impacts my diet/food intake.

Suggestions, advice, feedback - all appreciated!!





Replies

  • daisyverma
    daisyverma Posts: 234 Member
    Seriously no one uses a fitbit type of device on mfp???
  • kwiatrtdy
    kwiatrtdy Posts: 383 Member
    To my knowledge, Fitbits and other activity trackers don't track your actual calories, they just track steps and sleep and what-not. To track calories in a workout you'd need a heart rate monitor. I have a Polar FT4, cost me £70 and tracks my calories burned during each of my workouts.
  • GothyFaery
    GothyFaery Posts: 762 Member
    I wouldn't suggest a fitbit for anything more than tracking your daily steps. Anything like Zumba wouldn't be super accurate because it really is just a glorified pedometer (I have one and love it but that really is what it is).

    If you're looking for something that can track that stuff, maybe look into a Body Media or a HRM. A HRM is great for tracking steady states of cardio like Zumbe but won't track the rest of your day. A Body Media might be better for you because you would wear it all day long and it's going to give you a more accurate burn for the whole day, not just your workout. Body Media will also link to MFP like the Fitbit so you don't have to worry about putting in your exercises.
  • daisyverma
    daisyverma Posts: 234 Member
    Thanks for the feedback and advice. I did not realize the fitbit type devices are not the same as a HRM.
  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    I wore a BodyMedia armband for about 9 months and got some good info from it. It also is NOT a heart rate monitor but does give a calorie burn estimate based on body temperature, sweat, movement, etc. I liked it because I could use it to get burns from strength training as well as cardio. However it does require a $7/mo membership fee and I decided I had enough info to go on so I cancelled. I think it was money well spent though.

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