Calorie counting watches - any recommendations?

Black Bloc

Any recommendations for a calorie counting watch? Accurate or just gimmicks?

**Timbuk2**

Do you mean a Heart Rate Monitor, that you wear while you exercise?

I use the Polar F6, but not for calorie counting purposes (they aren't all that accurate, and generally read too high so I take it with a pinch of salt) but it's great for monitoring your heart rate as you exercise! I wouldn't recommend to buy a HRM if you are only starting out - they aren't that cheap and definitely not essential to effective exercise!

If you do decide to buy a HRM, get one that has a wireless chest strap - the ones that are just watches are not accurate, and some of them you need to place a finger on the watch for a few seconds to get a reading - which is far from ideal if you want to measure heart rate during exercise.

Although you can measure Heart Rate the old school way - count the pulses you have for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. You can even gauge how hard you are working by your perceived exertion - you should just be able to hold up a conversation.

Black Bloc

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Do you mean a Heart Rate Monitor, that you wear while you exercise?

I use the Polar F6, but not for calorie counting purposes (they aren't all that accurate, and generally read too high so I take it with a pinch of salt) but it's great for monitoring your heart rate as you exercise! I wouldn't recommend to buy a HRM if you are only starting out - they aren't that cheap and definitely not essential to effective exercise!

If you do decide to buy a HRM, get one that has a wireless chest strap - the ones that are just watches are not accurate, and some of them you need to place a finger on the watch for a few seconds to get a reading - which is far from ideal if you want to measure heart rate during exercise.

Although you can measure Heart Rate the old school way - count the pulses you have for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. You can even gauge how hard you are working by your perceived exertion - you should just be able to hold up a conversation.

Thanks. I work out cardio/weights about 90 minutes daily - if I am not cycling. No, I don't want to spend a lot of money but I don't want to buy something cheap but useless either.

**Timbuk2**

The Polar ones are usually very good quality. There is a catch though - the chest straps are sealed (they are waterproof) so you cannot change the batteries if they wear out. As far as I know, you have to send them back to the UK to get them replaced, or possibly buy a new one. They last ages before they wear out, but it is an inconvenience when they do (it hasn't happened to me yet, though!).

If you want to have a look at a few, have a look in sports shops such as Elvery's, JJB. Even Argos sell them. Also, irishfit.eu is a good site for HRMs and replacement straps, etc.

There is a brand which I've heard of - I think it's called CardioCoach Cardiosport, that allow you to replace the batteries in the chest strap yourself, which is of similar quality to Polar.

EDIT: I just googled and I don't think it's called CardioCoach - it's something similar to that... I'll find out

EDIT 2: It's Cardiosport! I knew it had something to do with Cardio :P

mrpink6789

I have a Polar FT7, got it from Irishfit.eu. I love it, measures calories burnt and heart rate which suits me!

radekisner34

There are plenty of brands that are making calorie counting watches right now, such as Sonic, Barsaka, Highgear, and Pulsar. They each have different designs and functionality, but they are all very similar as well. In other words, don't get too hung up on the model that you have.But the choice would be yours which one would you like.

Black Bloc

radekisner34 wrote: »

There are plenty of brands that are making calorie counting watches right now, such as Sonic, Barsaka, Highgear, and Pulsar. They each have different designs and functionality, but they are all very similar as well. In other words, don't get too hung up on the model that you have.But the choice would be yours which one would you like.

Thanks. Is there any shop around Dublin where these can be seen?

Lantus

not really required. If your a serious athlete and compete at a serious level then it could be beneficial for monitoring heart rate data over long distances. If you were you probably wouldn't be asking though.....

If your interested in whether your cardio exercise is being effective you are best measuring your body with a tape and if you feel you need them body fat calipers. That will tell the real story on your body composition.

huskerdu

mrpink6789 wrote: »

I have a Polar FT7, got it from Irishfit.eu. I love it, measures calories burnt and heart rate which suits me!

I have a Garmin that claims to measures calories burnt, but I have never seen any evidence that it, or any other calorie burning measurement is accurate.

Mine always shows 97/98 calories per mile run.

AFAIK 100 calories per mile run is an average for someone who weights 70kg. I weigh 56 and plenty of online caculators calculate 90 calories / mile for my weight.

So, who to believe ?

**Timbuk2**

huskerdu wrote: »

I have a Garmin that claims to measures calories burnt, but I have never seen any evidence that it, or any other calorie burning measurement is accurate.

Mine always shows 97/98 calories per mile run.

AFAIK 100 calories per mile run is an average for someone who weights 70kg. I weigh 56 and plenty of online caculators calculate 90 calories / mile for my weight.

So, who to believe ?

Probably the lower one. Although weight alone isn't really enough to get an accurate calorie reading.