HRM?

nurseaim · May 2011

So, I was reading a post earlier about what people's favorite weightloss gadgets/tools were and I saw a lot of "HRM". So, I googled "HRM"...can anyone explain to me what the HRM does? Does it count your calories burned or is there a secret formula that assists you in doing so? I felt stupid, here I am a nurse and had no idea about the HRM.

Oh yeah, can y'all recommend what HRM are your favs? Thanks MFP friends! :blushing:

achbarrow · May 2011

I have the Polar FT7 and I love it. It's comfortable and easy to use so I definitely recommend it.

timeforme23 · May 2011

HRM take your personal info so it can calculate what youre really burning. Mine (Polar FT40) tells me what ive burned and what % of that was fat, the time I spent at fat burning level vs fitness level, and average vs max HR. A HRM is essential for your personal journey. Polar is very popular, but whatever you go with, make SURE it comes with a chest strap. The ones without are cheaper but very unreliable. Good luck :-)

jeninne · May 2011

http://www.heart-rate-monitor-watches.com/ http://www.simplyfitnessgear.com/heartmonitors/index.html here are two sites that may help.

sarah44254 · May 2011

I think the 'secret formula' is programed into the HRM.

I have a Polar FT7 and I absolutely love it. It has 3 pieces. A watch, a communicator (very small clippy thing) and a chest strap ( the communicator attaches to it). When you are ready to use it, you wet the strap a little, put it on, snap on the communicator, and press a button on the watch telling it to begin recording.

It records how long you workout, and your heart rate at all times during. It uses your age, weight, height, and heart rate to figure out how many calories you burned and displays that on the watch for you.

It is very comfortable and I can't imagine trying to eat the right amount without it. It is so good to see the number and work toward that, or in opposite, if you ate too much, you know exactly when you can stop exercising to burn it off

Windi38 · May 2011

it uses electrical signals to monitor your heart rate and based on the information you imput (the more the better) it measures your calories.

I have a Polar FT7 and love it! I'd totally recommend Polar. I heard the FT4 is just as good, and a little cheaper. You DEFINITELY need to get one with a chest strap. FAR more accurate, as they continuously monitor heart rate, and the jumps and spikes in your heart rate will affect your calorie output.

The interesting thing about getting an HRM is that people seem to find that they either burn way less calories than the pre-set numbers on here and other sites, or they burn way more. Everyone's body is different, and how soon our heart rates increase, how long we are in certain percentage zones, and how quickly recover from exercise all play an important part in how we burn calories and how many. I've noticed that although my weight has changed some, my heart is getting stronger and it takes more for me to burn calories than it used to. I don't think my lower weight has as much to do with that as the fact that it's easier for me to exercise now that I'm getting into shape. *seeing* that via the hrms is very motivating, and helps push you to work harder, I think!

jmwolffyy · May 2011

I didnt spend as much as these folks who got Polar models. I have a Timex, but I researched it on Consumer Reports and it seems to be the best low cost option. It is the watch and the chest strap. It shows how long you worked out, your heart rate during your workout, keeps track of your average and high heart rate, and calculates your calories burned. I have decided it shows a little high on calories burned but not too bad; I just round down some and I feel comfortable with that. I would like to have a Polar, so if you can get one, I would suggest it too, but if you are on a budget like me, there ARE decent other options. Just do your research!

jeninne · May 2011

excellent post! too many times people forget it is about YOUR heart rate and changes...what I burned two months ago with the same routine is not what I burn now...

kghamilton · May 2011

I use a Garmin 305 for running, along with an HRM. Most of my exercise is running (except for 2 short weight sessions each week). The calories burned for me for running, I think are a little high on MFP but close. As a rule, I generally count 100 calories er mile and it usually comes out to about 110-115 on MFP. I don't bother with the calorie function on the watch.
Also, it helps for focusing on my runs. I use different HR targets depending on the type of run I'm doing. Helps me not train too hard, or too easy.

iamhealingmyself · May 2011

HRM take your personal info so it can calculate what youre really burning. Mine (Polar FT40) tells me what ive burned and what % of that was fat, the time I spent at fat burning level vs fitness level, and average vs max HR. A HRM is essential for your personal journey. Polar is very popular, but whatever you go with, make SURE it comes with a chest strap. The ones without are cheaper but very unreliable. Good luck :-)

And be sure to wet the conductor pads before you put it on or it won't register on the receiver consistently (lesson learned the first time I used it)

I too have the Polar FT4 and love it! I wish I could use it all day long to get an accurate daily burn (including all those trips to the bathroom and water cooler)

iamhealingmyself · May 2011

excellent post! too many times people forget it is about YOUR heart rate and changes...what I burned two months ago with the same routine is not what I burn now...

ditto - As you get more conditioned you will have to work harder to get and keep your heart rate up. In the begining it's easy to burn scads of calories just by standing up lol.

Mads1997 · May 2011

Another Polar FT7 user here. I didn't want one at first but I would be lost without it now.

HRM?

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