I am just wondering what everyone uses when they workout to track their calories burned. I have a Polar heart rate monitor but I find that it reads my heart rate so erratically! It works and then goes to 00 and wont work. I need to find something reliable, so any recommendations are welcomed

Thanks

I use a Garmin, but I am really surprised to hear you are having trouble with your Polar, they are a very reputable brand. Have you contacted their customer support line yet?

My first HRM was a Polar, I switched to Garmin because they had superior GPS technology.

I have a fitbit. I wear it all day, no matter what I am doing. I tracks the calories I burn all day. My doctor said from the research that the fitbit is pretty accurate. It tracks my steps and flights of stairs. It really encourages me to move more. I love it.

I am also curious as to what people are using and what works best for them. I'm looking into the fitbit flex wristband, which comes out this spring, or the Nike fuel band...does anyone have the fuel band?

I use a Garmin, but I am really surprised to hear you are having trouble with your Polar, they are a very reputable brand. Have you contacted their customer support line yet?

My first HRM was a Polar, I switched to Garmin because they had superior GPS technology.

I just went on the Polar website and read that I can try moving and repositioning the strap so I'll try that today during my workout. If not I'll probably contact them and see what happens.

Thanks for your suggestion!

I've had a polar for 4 years now. The new straps are bluetooth and work much better. I bought a Polar H7 to replace my old strap and transmitter. I always had the same issues you're having but the new transmitters are so much better. If you have a smart phone, tie in the transmitter with your phone with the Polar app.

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/polar-h7-transmitter.html Check it out?

Thanks so much for sharing what you use. I have been looking to invest in a HR monitor and now know where to start.

Thanks so much for sharing what you use. I have been looking to invest in a HR monitor and now know where to start.

Just an FYI...If you have a smart phone, you don't need the watch/monitor for some models like Polar. I can't speak to how the others operate but you might be able to get by with just the chest strap/transmitter and your Iphone? Total cost around $70. The apps are incredible and can give you so much information. My Iphone has the Polar app and the cyclemeter app and both track heart rate, elevation, speed, time, maps and more.

tmf

I cannot use a heart rate monitor because I take blood pressure medication (to prevent migraines), which will create inaccurate results. Instead, I have a fitbit. It is pretty amazing. I wouldn't choose anything else. I got the fitbit zip. It is pretty inexpensive and works really well. It has helped me to realize that exercise is such an important part of this journey. It also motivates me to get out and exercise much more than I would if I didn't have it.

I just ordered the Garmin 310xt yesterday, so haven't used it yet. But I really like the reviews and functions. We shall see come monday hopefully.

Since Jan 14th, I have been using the LoseIT app to give me an idea where I am.

I tinkered with it today and came up with this Excel file showing these avg's since Jan 14th.

food calories = 1776

Exercise Calories = 512

Net Calories = 1264

LoseIt Target = 2174

Over/under target = Under target by 910 per day.

During this timeframe, I'm down from 252 to 227, so 25#'s.

daily calorie.xlsx

Ok so I am looking into gettin something too... I was going to order the fit it but another commented that although it counts your steps and calories it doesn't do heart rate so it's not accurate on the calories... Like she said her polar said she burned 600 cals during aerobics where as her fit it said only 400 for the same workout because it didn't take into account her heart rate. Is this the case? What are your thoughts?

Ok so I am looking into gettin something too... I was going to order the fit it but another commented that although it counts your steps and calories it doesn't do heart rate so it's not accurate on the calories... Like she said her polar said she burned 600 cals during aerobics where as her fit it said only 400 for the same workout because it didn't take into account her heart rate. Is this the case? What are your thoughts?

Bos, take a look at this link http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/167281-how-hrms-calculate-calories-burned/ it will help you understand why some HRM are able to more accurately estimate calories burned. I am not putting down fitbit by any means, they are designed to do different things than a HRM. I only wear my HRM when I am actively exercising, and it allows me to get the most of that time by giving me an objective measurement.

I've been washing my polar heart rate monitor after every use and I've had no problems anymore!

Bodybugg!!!

When I first started working out (about 6 mths post op), I bought a BodyBugg from ebay for $200. Loved it - at first. It's what the contestants on The Biggest Loser used to wear. It's really hard to keep track of all the data. They give you a 45 minutes phone consultation with a personal trainer and 6 mths of website (where you download your info from the BB and track your intake), but after that it's like $12 a mth.

Ended up using it for like a month and then giving it to my sister - which she in turn gave me back about 2 yrs ago. It's still in the box on my bookshelf. In the future, if I'm looking for something similar, I will definately look for an easier one to use, read, and bring up data.

Good luck!

Marci