New HRM is depressing me

I had the same disappointment. Was sooo excited to get my Polar FT4, and after the first week, was so bummed at the lower calories burned. I've used my HRM for Zumba, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Slim in Six Burn it Up, treadmill, roller blading, and running outside. I have to adjust the number that MFP gives me when I log it to a much lower #. BUT, I am very glad to know my actual burn and it's a pretty cool gadget!

Use it a couple of times and you'll be able to tell if you're getting an acurate reading or not. Make sure you wet down the pads on the belt - I forgot to do this a couple times and saw a much different reading.

Best of luck on your journey.

I dont know if you came across my forum a while ago but I was haVing trouble with my polar bc I wasnt washing it correctly. Make sure you are washing it after each session and once a week you are suppose to wash it in the washing machine but DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DRYER,

hold up... I looked at them and all I saw was watch style... How do I go about looking up something like you are describing?

Wait I am confused. Waht do you mean? How to find the right hrm where you enter your information? Is that waht you mean...

I had the same disappointment. Was sooo excited to get my Polar FT4, and after the first week, was so bummed at the lower calories burned. I've used my HRM for Zumba, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Slim in Six Burn it Up, treadmill, roller blading, and running outside. I have to adjust the number that MFP gives me when I log it to a much lower #. BUT, I am very glad to know my actual burn and it's a pretty cool gadget!

Use it a couple of times and you'll be able to tell if you're getting an acurate reading or not. Make sure you wet down the pads on the belt - I forgot to do this a couple times and saw a much different reading.

Best of luck on your journey.

I dont know if you came across my forum a while ago but I was haVing trouble with my polar bc I wasnt washing it correctly. Make sure you are washing it after each session and once a week you are suppose to wash it in the washing machine but DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DRYER,

Yup, I rinse it out after each workout and it goes in the wash a probably twice a week. But before a workout, the electrodes on the belt are supposed to be wet down for a proper reading. I really love my HRM!!

You guys are giving so much great information, I love this site....so I am getting a FT4 tomorrow, when you say to wet down the electrodes is that so they will stick to your body or the belt?? Also, where is your strap located on your body? is there a certain area to put it for the best results. I have a large chest and i'm wondering if it goes onto of the chest or below the breast like stomach area.

I had the same disappointment. Was sooo excited to get my Polar FT4, and after the first week, was so bummed at the lower calories burned. I've used my HRM for Zumba, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Slim in Six Burn it Up, treadmill, roller blading, and running outside. I have to adjust the number that MFP gives me when I log it to a much lower #. BUT, I am very glad to know my actual burn and it's a pretty cool gadget!

Use it a couple of times and you'll be able to tell if you're getting an acurate reading or not. Make sure you wet down the pads on the belt - I forgot to do this a couple times and saw a much different reading.

Best of luck on your journey.

I dont know if you came across my forum a while ago but I was haVing trouble with my polar bc I wasnt washing it correctly. Make sure you are washing it after each session and once a week you are suppose to wash it in the washing machine but DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DRYER,

hold up... I looked at them and all I saw was watch style... How do I go about looking up something like you are describing?

Wait I am confused. Waht do you mean? How to find the right hrm where you enter your information? Is that waht you mean...

No, I mean A HRM period. I do a google search for the one you all are mentioning, and it comes up as a watch type. Says nothing about straps, so I am at a loss for finding one to purchase.

I have the Polar FT4. I got mine from Amazon. It has a chest strap which I wear right under my breasts (usually under my sports bra) to which the transmitter snaps on. There are 2 electrodes on the chest strap. According to the instructions, you're supposed to wet these electrodes to ensure a proper heart rate display. The info from the transmitter is "sent" to a watch that I wear on my wrist. On the watch, I entered my age, sex, height, and weight. When I start my workout, I can monitor my heart rate, if I'm "in the zone", calories burned, time of day, and duration of the workout.

I did a lot of research before buying and am 100% happy with this one.

Re: the OP: Funny, the stationary bikes in our gym actually give a calorie total that's quite a bit less than what my HRM tells me! And exertion doesn't necessary = more calorie burn. I worked way harder on the bike today than I usually do but my total calorie burn was a bit less - go figure!

Re: the watch HRM question - usually all you see in the listings for Polar HRMs on Amazon, or even the Polar website is the watch receiver but I believe all Polar HRMs come with a chest strap.

I LOVE my FT4 - just got it last week and it's so cool! It even had a little b-day cake symbol on the screen on my birthday! :bigsmile:
P.S. As said above, be sure to follow the directions in the users manual for proper use and care!