HRM / Armband Guidance

Thrillcox5
Thrillcox5 Posts: 5
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Everyone,

I've been researching some different devices to help get my motivation up, and I'm really interested in finding a good device to track my daily activity level and calories burned.

So far, I've looked at the NikeFUEL Band, the FItBit & the BodyMedia Fit Link Armband.

My problem with the NikeFUEL band is that it doesn't work well with biking or activities performed on fitness equipment (which also makes me question it's accuracy overall). The FitBit, to me, is just a glorified pedometer which I don't think I would benefit from.

The BodyMedia Fit Link Armband looks awesome, it uses sensors to track HR, sweat, movement, etc. They claim it is 95% accurate, but there is a monthly fee! SCREW THAT! I use MyFitnessPal to track most of my stuff, but I'd like it if I had a better idea of my day-to-day calories burned from my regular routine.

Anyone have any suggestions or devices they use that seem to be good?

Replies

  • RitaChu
    RitaChu Posts: 12 Member
    I've tried Garmin & Polar.. between the 2 - I prefer Polar. Check them all out along with the few that you mentioned on Amazon for there reviews. g-lucks~!
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    The BMF isn't great for biking or ellipticals. If you're not moving your arm, its accurracy decreases.

    I use my BMF during the day and for most of my workouts/hikes. But, if I'm biking, I put on an HRM, take off the BMF and then update the information online after.
  • LadyElby
    LadyElby Posts: 151 Member
    I too have been researching the various HRM options. I think I'm set on the Polar FT4 or FT7. They have really good reviews and seem to be very reasonably priced in the grand scheme of things.

    BUMPing for more info!
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    I have a Polar F4 HRM and a Body Fit Media (it was a groupon deal so that was the model I got). I spin-a lot. The BFM doesn't do a great job of calculating those calories but it is pretty close to my HRM for strength work, golf, zumba and other activities. I am getting a lot out of having both and even though I don't love that I'll have to pay a monthly fee once my free months are up, I'm finding it very helpful to figure out my TDEE.
  • ms_tris
    ms_tris Posts: 82 Member
    I use a bodybugg, which is pretty much the same thing as the bodymedia fit armband. I think you get 6 months free when you initially purchase the device. And considering how much you can learn from wearing it, I'd say its worth a try. I had no Idea how few calories I really burned on my "normal" activity days until the bugg showed me. I find just wearing the device makes me more active. I love trying to beat the calorie burn of the previous day or trying to get an extra half-hour of moderate activity in. The pedometer feature makes me want to get more steps in, too.
    Since it doesn't track "sleep," after the first week of wearing it, I stopped wearing it at night. It automatically uses your "normal" sleep calorie burn, and I like giving my arm a rest from the monitor.

    Hope this helps.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 and a BodyMedia Fit Advantage and find both of them enlightening and beneficial!

    I've been impressed/happy to learn that I burn far more than I thought I did in the course of my normal daily activities. I also love the sleep feature on the BodyMedia!
  • Thrillcox5
    Thrillcox5 Posts: 5
    @ms_tris

    What is the monthly fee for? I can track my food and input my calories burned and everything on MFP, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that without the monthly subscription. I don't want to have to pay for this thing for ever and ever. I just want something to track me throughout the entire day to let me know the calories I burned during my normal routine and workouts!
  • ms_tris
    ms_tris Posts: 82 Member
    The monthly fee is annoying. I don't think the site is nearly as "user friendly" as this site, but it does keep all of your daily activity and calories burned so you can look back and see what you were burning at particular times (down to the minutes of every day). I just pay the fee to be able to have the device because it keeps me accountable. It sucks, but there is no way around it. :(
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