heart rate monitors - different results?

jessazimmerman
jessazimmerman Posts: 14
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
I was using a relatively cheap timex hrm, and now I have a Polar FT 7. Given the same exercise duration and basically the same average heart rate, the Polar credits me with substantially fewer calories. I know that in the settings, the polar asked for my birthdate and the timex did not. Is that the sole reason for the difference? Obviously they use different formulas for the calculations, but I am curious about exactly what they treat differently and how they could vary so much. Does anyone have any information or ideas?

Replies

  • thenewkarisa
    thenewkarisa Posts: 207
    bump
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    Did you do the fitness test with the Polar? If you haven't, you should. I also had a Timex and when it died moved to a Polar F6 (pre FT7). The Polar had me do a brief fitness test and took more into account. So, it felt more accurate.

    Also, how long was it between hrms? If you became more fit between them that could also account for some calories.
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    I have a Suunto, so can't speak to your specific models, but i have read time and time again on here that the Timex units aren't very good. The polar is very highly recommended, both on here and in online reviews I've read. If you post some of your burns, other people with similar body stats might be able to guide you a little better....
  • scriehl
    scriehl Posts: 94 Member
    I always thought that age does play a role in determining calories burned. It could be that it is more accurate now that you are using the Polar.
  • readingboy
    readingboy Posts: 24
    Not sure. They could just be using different algorithms to calculate your calories burned. The most common reason I hear about why cheaper HRMs aren't accurate is that some don't ask you for your current weight. There's no way to calculate calories burned anywhere near accurately if they don't have your weight.

    In the end, I'd trust Polar over the Timex. They have a pretty strong reputation with athletes and sports professionals.
  • Danahimself
    Danahimself Posts: 279 Member
    Not sure. They could just be using different algorithms to calculate your calories burned. The most common reason I hear about why cheaper HRMs aren't accurate is that some don't ask you for your current weight. There's no way to calculate calories burned anywhere near accurately if they don't have your weight.

    In the end, I'd trust Polar over the Timex. They have a pretty strong reputation with athletes and sports professionals.

    That pretty much sold me and look forward to trying this Polar FT7 out!
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