Should I get this ?

BeesBella
BeesBella Posts: 24
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I am so interested with how many calories I burn every day and I want one of those watches that tell you how many calories you have burnt and your heart rate.
Is it worth getting one ? There is one on ebay for £5.49, is it worth it ?
Also does it count the calories you burn while sleeping, sitting still and the calories you burn everyday without doing anything ?
Thanks in advance !

Replies

  • naugustyniak
    naugustyniak Posts: 836 Member
    Sounds like you are describing a heart rate monitor (HRM). I have one and love it. If you do get one, make sure it has a chest strap, those are the most accurate. Mine is a Polar F6 but there are other models. They are used mostly for exercise but I guess you could wear it all the time, I don't. I just use it for exercise. I am not sure how much money you stated is but mine was about $100 but you can get them for less.
  • staclo
    staclo Posts: 511 Member
    I am so interested with how many calories I burn every day and I want one of those watches that tell you how many calories you have burnt and your heart rate.
    Is it worth getting one ? There is one on ebay for £5.49, is it worth it ?
    Also does it count the calories you burn while sleeping, sitting still and the calories you burn everyday without doing anything ?
    Thanks in advance !

    Also, make sure that the description says that it shows calories burned. I just got one off of ebay too. I paid $44 for a Polar A5. I think it's an older model, but so far, I really like it. It's much better than guessing how many calories I burned!
  • BeesBella
    BeesBella Posts: 24
    I've just brought it.
    It's like a watch so I am guessing it measures your radial pulse.
    £5.49 in $'s is $8.52 US Dollars.
  • HopTuNaa
    HopTuNaa Posts: 31
    Hey Bees Bella...I bought one recently from Tesco. It's their own 'OneLife' one, rather than the Polar - as it's £10 cheaper.... and you know what - it' s got more features on it. It cost £14.87, and I totally love it. It's a real eye opener to what you're really burning off. ... and yes if you want to know a complete day, just wear it for 24 hours. It counts from the moment to reset it. You input your weight and age, so it makes a more accurate reading. :smile:
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    I've just brought it.
    It's like a watch so I am guessing it measures your radial pulse.
    £5.49 in $'s is $8.52 US Dollars.

    ahh, I can't imagine there is a good quality HRM for $8.52 cents, if there is, I want it. Unless maybe you found it used or something.

    HRM's don't measure pulse rate, they measure electrical impulses coming from the heart, which is why you need a chest strap, or sometimes an upper arm strap where the impulse is still strong enough to measure. The ones that are just wrist are the ones where you have to stop, hit a button, and hold it for like 10 seconds, then it gives you an estimate, not very accurate, nor very reliable.

    Just wanted you to know so you don't have too high expectations for something that is so inexpensive.
  • tbrown1025
    tbrown1025 Posts: 165
    I had an HRM that ws used on the wrist, but was very disappointed with having to hold the button and wait...and most of the time, it didn't pick up my pulse/impulse. Also, when I do HIIT, it's hard to stop and start the button pushing and waiting. I don't like to exercise with it on b/c the watch was sort of bulky and slid around my wrist. I think I'd be annoyed with a chest strap, too. Maybe an upper arm strap would work.
  • naugustyniak
    naugustyniak Posts: 836 Member
    I had an HRM that ws used on the wrist, but was very disappointed with having to hold the button and wait...and most of the time, it didn't pick up my pulse/impulse. Also, when I do HIIT, it's hard to stop and start the button pushing and waiting. I don't like to exercise with it on b/c the watch was sort of bulky and slid around my wrist. I think I'd be annoyed with a chest strap, too. Maybe an upper arm strap would work.

    I can hardly feel my chest strap. I tuck it under my sports bra band and it stays in place. I cannot tolerate anything on my upper arm :laugh:
  • HopTuNaa
    HopTuNaa Posts: 31
    Yep... I don't find my chest strap uncomfortable at all. Like naugustyniak says, just tuck it under your bra band and it feels no different.
  • KatWood
    KatWood Posts: 1,135 Member
    I have a timex ironman watch hrm and I love it. It has a chest strap as well which is comfortable enough:smile: I got mine as a gift but I think they are in the $150 Cdn price range. I also just got a Garmin gps watch which I am really excited about to track my running and biking. The model I got doesn't measure your heart rate (which is ok since I have the timex) but newer models do. And it plots your run on a map, never needs calibration, and can navigate you home ... which if you knew me you would know is a big deal.
  • ltfrombc
    ltfrombc Posts: 22
    I have a Timex Ironman HRT Watch as well. I didnt think I would like the chest strap but dont even notice it on when I am wearing it. A bad fitting bra fees worse.I bought mine in Wal Mart for 109.00 Cnd
    last week.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    I asked about this before, and basically you shouldn't use your HRM (unless it's like a Body Bugg) to calculate your total calories burned for the entire day. It doesn't always read accurately during rest or when your heart rate isn't that high.
This discussion has been closed.