Recommended Heart Rate Monitor?

rferrar1
rferrar1 Posts: 17 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I need a way to reliably track exercise calories. I can't run or walk for exercise due to Achilles tendinitis. If I did, I would probably use a pedometer like fitbit to track daily calories. Instead, I'm relying on weightlifting and/or aerobic activities like kickboxing.

Anyone have a recommendation for wrist-worn device to track calories? Preferably via heart rate monitoring.

Replies

  • Letsdothis1984
    Letsdothis1984 Posts: 329 Member
    I have a polar and love it but you need to use a band around your chest
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    The formulas used by HRMs only come close to accurate for steady state cardio like running, cycling, etc. They are not accurate for weightlifting or boxing / kickboxing.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    Polar FT4 is a good entry level HRM, a lot of people will recommend it.
  • Bocch
    Bocch Posts: 191 Member
    Most home devices to track health are not as accurate as what you would find in a doctor's office. That being understood, you can get devices that will put you in the ball park very near home plate for tracking health. Polar is the most widely known HRM. It will come close to what you find if you compare it to online stuff. I currently am trying the garmin vivo fit band. I saw it on The Biggest Loser. the added plus is that with garmin connect it is supposed to tie in with myfitnesspal. I check the HRM with the HRM on machines in PF and found them to give the same readings. I have compared the vivo HRM with my 2 previous HRMs and they give about the same readings.
  • Jackattacks28
    Jackattacks28 Posts: 9 Member
    Polar FT4 or FT7. I have a polar FT7 and it's great.
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    An HRM isn't going to accurately track weightlifting. They are made to only track steady-state cardio.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    rferrar1 wrote: »
    Instead, I'm relying on weightlifting and/or aerobic activities like kickboxing.

    Just use the existing approximations on MFP, neither of the devices that you identify are appropriate for these types of training.

  • splashtree2
    splashtree2 Posts: 277
    I have Sunto the chest strip and is good very precise
  • ash8184
    ash8184 Posts: 701 Member
    edited November 2014
    I really like my Garmin vivofit. It's small, accurate and the app is really user friendly! Also, yes, it does tie in with MFP both ways - so MFP data goes to the garmin app, and garmin data goes to the MFP app. It provides TONS of data too, like exact number of steps taken each hour with a handy chart, and it's easy to set goals.
  • morgiee_lynne
    morgiee_lynne Posts: 141 Member
    Any HRM that requires you to wear a chest strap will be more accurate for weightlifting!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    morgiee_lynne wrote: »
    Any HRM that requires you to wear a chest strap will be more accurate for weightlifting!

    No it won't. HRMs will not give a reliable calorie expenditure approximation for resistance training or contact sports.
  • thejohnnyhand
    thejohnnyhand Posts: 14 Member
    I have a Polar M400 (with chest strap). One of the main reasons I went with a chest strap HRM was so I could get a better read on calories burned during my weight lifting sessions. A wrist HRM being constantly jarred by hand activity (holding and throwing around weights) will not be as accurate.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    morgiee_lynne wrote: »
    Any HRM that requires you to wear a chest strap will be more accurate for weightlifting!

    No it won't. HRMs will not give a reliable calorie expenditure approximation for resistance training or contact sports.

    There are times when it is obvious that people believe advertising over science ... anytime you read a HRM related thread is one of those times.

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