[AnAbsoluteDiva]

I got the HRM (Polar F4) just before the New Year and used it yesterday for the first time!

So get this.... I did shoulders and ab work and then my 3.6 mile run.

I burned 743 CALORIES! The treadmill said I had burned 314 and the monitor had me at over 500 just on the run.

The on-line calculators said I'd burn 50 calories weight training when I burned slightly more than 200.

I'm so glad I dropped the $80 into this. I knew the on-line calculators could never know what I burn if they have no idea of my intensity. And what does it mean when it says "weight training, intense" or "running, moderate speed". How can they really KNOW?

I found it so inspiring that I created a spreadsheet that covers all of it... nutrition, exercise, mileage, you name it, and it's easy for me to fill in and I see the whole thing in ONE spot. It even calculates the deficits so that I know what the scale SHOULD say. (I'm an Excel nerd... couldn't resist!)

So if you are counting calories and exercising and figure out why you're not shedding the fat, I'd recommend using an HRM that calculates calories. Nothing more motivating than having the number right in front of you!

[JigglyBits]

I love my HRM too, its accurate, elminates the guess work and motivates me to do more! The polar ones are the best. worth the money!

[nomorefatpants]

Agreed I just got mine in late december. Polar F6. I find it really motivating.
I've found that sometimes I burn less than the calculators tell me I do so it keeps me in check--either I push harder, try to add another workout somewhere, or at the very least don't eat an extra something thinking it's ok b/c i burned it off.

[tracyg40]

tracyg

[Mami]

Tracyg: Heart Rate Monitor

Do these work by purely calculating your weight and heart rate? Or does age, height and other factors play a role? Are these considered really accurate (which would be the opposite of the cardio machines, which I don't trust at all).

[chick_in_the_hat]

HRM = Heart rate monitor

It's used to check your heart rate during exercise to ensure that you are getting the most out of your workout. I try and stay between 75% and 85% after I'm warmed up...

[chick_in_the_hat]

LOL - Mami we were posting at the same time.

Diferent models do different stuff - mine is basic. You put in your age and it measures heart rate. Other models do calculate calories burned as well.

IMHO the chest strap models are the most accurate. I also like Polar because it "talks" to cardio machines and I don't have to hold onto the handles on the elliptical to see my heart rate.

[Imenonelse]

I have never used/had my own personal heart rate monitor, just the ones at the gym. I would love to get one and use it as a tool in my weightloss, my only problem is that I have asthma so my Dr. recommends me not getting my heart-rate too high because that is more likely to cause an attack. I am only allowed to do light exercise like walking or dancing... this makes it difficult because I love the adrenaline rush a hard work-out gives but, what dr. says, goes!

[MariaMaria]

Mami-The readings are generally regarded as accurate. Any interpretation (% of your max) not so much.

Imenonelse- There are lots of professional athletes with asthma (you can Google Jerome Bettis or Amani Toomer, both football players). Has your doctor discussed medication/inhalers to permit you to be more active?

[biolerchick]

So, the general consensus is that the heart rate the monitor is fairly accurate. However, it's estimation of how many calories you burned would not be very accurate? Is it still better than the exercise machines estimate of calories burned?

[AnAbsoluteDiva]

I find the calories burned the F4 delivers to be dead on.

The machines are not. They don't ask you age, height, weight.... they can't possibly know what you're burning without that info. Impossible to know without it.

[Luv_Losing]

Originally Posted by chick_in_the_hat

I also like Polar because it "talks" to cardio machines and I don't have to hold onto the handles on the elliptical to see my heart rate.

That is so funny that you mentioned that. I just got my Polar F6 and have used it twice. I was thinking how dead on the machines were because they kept matching my watch. Then it puzzled me today because I let go of the handle and it continued to go up or down with my Polar. I decided that they must have updated the machines to guestimate when you let go. It seems kind of silly now and I cant believe I thoght that. I truly did laugh out loud when I read your post and went and told my husband how silly I was today.

My monitor is telling me I am burning less then pretty much every machine. Its nice to know what you are really burning but it sure is disappinting to be burning less than you thought.