SO, I GOT MY HRM AND.......

It really makes you see things differently. I found when I first got mine it was totally a new toy. I did things just to see what I burned and if I could go further, faster, longer just to see the numbers rise..LOL.

May just have to go dust mine off and see if I can get that new toy feeling back

haha thats why I LOVE my HRM

Same thing happened to me when I switched to a Polar HRM from a Timex. Likewise, it was quite an ego blow, but as you said, it's best to get an accurate picture--I'm hoping it's more accurate, anyway. The Polar allowed me to input more personal info, so I think that made the difference.

WHAT A SHOCK~ I have been WAAAAAY OVERestimating my calories burned!!!

For JMs 30 Day shred, a "calorie calculator" gave me 323 cals burned. ACTUAL (on HRM) 164!!

For JMs Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism (that kicks my butt)~ Calculator over 500. HRM~ 244!!!

I will get over my bruised ego and am grateful for the "reality check" but geez guys, did it have to "slap" me??

Meanwhile, the Polar FT7 is as easy to use and comfortable as you all said it would be and I really AM glad to now know for sure what I'm doing. Someone mentioned that a HRM changed their whole fitness routine and I believe that's what will happen for me too.

I already WANT to work harder to get my heartrate up!!

Mine is a Polar FT4 but when I first got it... I was also slapped in the face. With all my workouts I thought I was burning about 700-1000 a day and its like half that :ohwell:

Hi,
I don't have an FT7, but I do have an FT60. I was wondering if you did all the settings. There may be places where you can set your weight, age, etc. You didn't say how many minutes you were working and I don't do those types of routines myself, but those numbers do seem kind of low. If it's all set and everything then also make sure it's picking up your heart beat. If the contact isn't good between the belt and your chest it may not register. If that's a problem, wet the strips on the underside before strapping it on so the contact will be better. Anyways just some suggestions. The HRM is a very useful tool though.

I feel ya baby....it is like a smack in the face when you see the calories burned on your HRM compaired to everything else...totally sucks, but at least with the HRM you know you have earned it!

are ft7's a pain to wear all day?

Hi,
I don't have an FT7, but I do have an FT60. I was wondering if you did all the settings. There may be places where you can set your weight, age, etc. You didn't say how many minutes you were working and I don't do those types of routines myself, but those numbers do seem kind of low. If it's all set and everything then also make sure it's picking up your heart beat. If the contact isn't good between the belt and your chest it may not register. If that's a problem, wet the strips on the underside before strapping it on so the contact will be better. Anyways just some suggestions. The HRM is a very useful tool though.

This is good advice! The FT60 has the Fitness Test feature, that gives you even a better estimation. If you have the means to afford it, spend the extra money.

You do have to enter all the inputs in the settings accurately.

And I spit on the contacts every time.

But its impossible to get a feel for high or low. An individual's perceived intensity can be very different. The HRM gives that valuable feedback to match perception with what's really going on.

are ft7's a pain to wear all day?

I have an ft4. Sometimes I forget that I have it on. It is very comfortable.

Same thing happened to me when I switched to a Polar HRM from a Timex. Likewise, it was quite an ego blow, but as you said, it's best to get an accurate picture--I'm hoping it's more accurate, anyway. The Polar allowed me to input more personal info, so I think that made the difference.

I did the exact same thing. I loved the look of the Timex and have had Timex watches in the past. But the first time I used the HRM on the Timex, it seemed way too high (just comparing other friends at similar weights/ages doing similar exercises). I did some research and Polar seems pretty committed to accuracy. I ended up getting an FT7. I wanted something I could wear as a watch too. It's not the most accurate Polar, but I think much more accurate than the Timex.

It's all about information, data points and making good estimations. But it's still all guesswork. We just try to narrow the margin of error. Almost everything we do on MFP is an estimation. The key - for me at least - is understanding that, and trying to get a relatively accurate estimation.

I had the opposite happen. MFP's database was significantly LOWER for most exercises. When I got my Polar, I was shocked by how many calories I was actually burning -- in many cases twice or three times the amount that MFP said. It's closer on other types of exercise, but walking, yoga, and pilates were way off on the low side.

I check my pulse about 75% of the time that I work out... the other 25% of the time is when I am lazy and just go by the data base. And when I do I feel like it gives me way more calories burned than what I felt. I need a HRM bad!! Anyone want to donate one to me? LOL.