Fitbit Flex vs Heart Rate Monitor

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  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
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    if you want to know how many calories burned throughout the day, the HRM will not do anything for that, while i believe the fitbit will record to some degree your workouts

    so based on that it seems like you'd want the fit bit.

    plus, unless you run or walk or something along those lines for exercise, the HRM wont be very accurate anyway.
  • Leslie1124
    Leslie1124 Posts: 143 Member
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    Not throughout the day for me, I would be only want to track calories from runs (outdoor and on treadmill) and cardio workouts. So a HRM wont be very accurate? would the Flex be more accurate?
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
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    Not throughout the day for me, I would be only want to track calories from runs (outdoor and on treadmill) and cardio workouts. So a HRM wont be very accurate? would the Flex be more accurate?

    For workouts only, a HRM will be the most accurate. If you want daily totals, get a fitbit or the like (Garmin VivoFit, etc).
  • ogoeke
    ogoeke Posts: 1 Member
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    You said you use both but do you use both at the same time? I mean wear both a fitibit and hrm at the same time.
  • frharrison108
    frharrison108 Posts: 1
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    I was just given a Fitbit which I wear on my wrist. So far, the gadget works well enough for what I want to know WITH THE EXCEPTION that there is no continual heart rate monitor. I also have an iPhone 5S Is there a third part heart monitor not involving straps around the chest, etc. which I could get to use with my fit bit and iPhone? At 80 I am not tech savvy but do what the heart information.
  • a4annie
    a4annie Posts: 1 Member
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    I have read so much up on all of this and it's pretty confusing but what I've been doing for about a year now has been successful for me. I have a fitbit force that I have synced with MFP. In reading on fitbit and MFP it is suggested when syncing the 2 to log all exercises in MFP and NOT fitbit. Fitbit mainly is best for calories burned while walking and doing stairs. It doesn't do anything really when on a bike or eliptical.

    When doing exercises like running, bootcamps, etc I wear my HRM and manually enter the calorie burn into MFP. fitbit will adjust calories burned negatively or positively based off of the calories burned it has shown throughout the day. It may not be an exact science but it has worked for me.
  • DLW3555
    DLW3555 Posts: 7 Member
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    COHikerGirl wrote: »

    If a good proportion of us called on the FitBit and Jawbone manufacturers to provide such a version, it might happen sooner. It will HAVE to happen, eventually. The technology is there, but hasn't been put together as yet in a single device. Hell, I'd pay more, for that!

    Fitbit is coming out soon with a tracker that has a built in HRM.
  • DLW3555
    DLW3555 Posts: 7 Member
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    Fitbit is coming out soon with a tracker that has a built in HRM.
  • MikeInAZ
    MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
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    I'm a strong believer of the heart rate monitor. I kinda stopped worrying about calories awhile ago and concentrate more on time in zones. For me, I want a strong heart, so I push to get into the Orange Zone for a good 15-20 minutes in a workout.

    I have a Polar H7 (http://bit.ly/polarh7) I use the Digitfit app ($5) and it gives you really good information about your workout. It also syncs with MyFitnessPal. I also like the H7 because it syncs with a lot of gym treadmills and ellipticals. It can also sync with the Polar FT4/7 watches.

    I don't believe an activity tracker is going to give you accurate calorie burn info. Even some of the new ones that have HRM built in are sketchy. The Basis has been riddled with problems where it loses your HR when you do anything involving the wrist. The Amiigo which isn't readily available only tells you resting HR. Some of the newer devices promise more (like Apple Watch), but do you want to wear that $350 device to the gym and get it all sweaty/scratched? and what is the battery life like?

    If you want a nice combo, try the Polar H7 and the Polar Loop tracker (http://amzn.to/ZPlFyX) , they integrate together but both can work independently

    Another good option is the Garmin VivoFit or Vivo Smart with the Garmin HRM Strap
    Vivofit - http://amzn.to/1th4BP6
    Strap - http://amzn.to/1DFPi4H

    Lastly check out the Facebook Group - Battle of the Fitness Bands where all these are being discussed. https://www.facebook.com/groups/446393048838552/

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