Heart rate measurements

[Chris_Bott]

I don't have a heart rate monitor so I guess there's no way of tracking my active heart rate ? Some of the gym equipment I use displays it, but as it doesn't ask for my height, age, sex etc I suppose it's just based on averages ?

[cristiethoresen]

I have worked out for years and never went by the gym equipments HRM system.  They do not read accurately.  I would recommend buying a good HRM.  It really keeps you accountable to the calories you are burning.  I have the Wahoo HRM and it links to myfitness pal.  

[josephz2va]

The sensors built on gym equipment are 50/50. The electrodes, which are used by several hundred people per day by the way and not cleaned correctly, don't always read your pulse accurately. The only item it will ask is your weight based on standard count of calories.

When I used the grips during my exercise, sometimes I'm 0 heart rate. Dead as a doornail. Unless I wash my hands or breathe in them to warm up the skin contact. Then it'll read but sometimes it's 90/120/100 randomizing constantly.

It's best to use a polar heart rate monitor as it's right on the chest. Hand pulses aren't always accurate as the Galaxy Fit has issues too.

[Heybales]

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@Chris_Bott wrote:

I don't have a heart rate monitor so I guess there's no way of tracking my active heart rate ? Some of the gym equipment I use displays it, but as it doesn't ask for my height, age, sex etc I suppose it's just based on averages ?

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Don't need your height, age, sex to display your active HR.

When the session is done, some of those machine could even display your avgHR during the whole session, you could log that somewhere to keep track of improvements.

Or is your question about something else, because I don't understand the point about based on averages?

[Chris_Bott]

Thanks everyone - pretty much what I thought. Not overly concerned really just thought maybe I was missing something.

When I said about gym equipment readings being based on averages I was getting mixed up with the calorie count it gives, which is based on your average person and doesn't take account of weight. height etc unless you use a program, which I don't. Just get on and run ro whatever . . . .

Thanks again 

[TandemWalker]

@Hi @Chris_Bott - Just to add a different point of view to this discussion, I personally do not like being strapped in - so I use a wrist HRM, a Mio Alpha. A few weeks ago, I had to take a stress ECG at the hospital and took my HRM with me to compare. I knew from research I had done prior to purchasing it and the reviews that it was very well rated - but frankly, I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere to close to being exact. For the entire test, the Mio was within 1-2 BMP of the hospital's fancy equipment.

So for those who like me don't trust the gym equipment HRM virtues and don't like to be strapped in, the Mio Alpha is an option. On the downside, that's all it does - HRM function and nothing else.

[Dominique]

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@josephz2va wrote:

It's best to use a polar heart rate monitor as it's right on the chest. Hand pulses aren't always accurate as the Galaxy Fit has issues too.

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I confirm what @TandemWalker said about the Mio Alpha: it's just as reliable as a Polar H7 chest-strap. I know because I've used both at the same time.

[Dominique]

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@TandemWalker wrote:

So for those who like me don't trust the gym equipment HRM virtues and don't like to be strapped in, the Mio Alpha is an option. On the downside, that's all it does - HRM function and nothing else.

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 Another downside of the Mio Alpha is it costs three times as much as a good Polar chest-strap.

[TandemWalker · Accepted solution]

Yep! Comfort always has a price!

[CandyElektra]

I've been researching these hrm devices and wow is that one expensive! As a little (inexpensive) test, I ordered a cheap $15 one from china on ebay and I wear it as a watch and put my index finger over some sensor when I'm not moving. I don't know how accurate it is...but i'd love to get my hands on a good one to verify. Ideally I would like a constant log like the step counter does that syncs online. Does this Mia one calculate the pulse while actively moving and without being "asked"?

[Dominique]

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@CandyElektra wrote:

Ideally I would like a constant log like the step counter does that syncs online. Does this Mia one calculate the pulse while actively moving and without being "asked"?

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The Mio Alpha is doing constant monitoring of your heart rate. If paired with a compatible smartphone and a suitable app, you can log HR data over a given period. Here is an example of a 50 minute run logged with the Runtastic Pro app on a Nexus 4 smartphone:

You can also get a split of the time spent in each time zone, as well as the average HR and maximum HR during that workout:

Runtastic will automatically upload that data to your online account. There's no syncing of HR data to your Fitbit account, however. Fitbit hasn't really be designed to accommodate comprehensive HR data.

[TandemWalker]

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@CandyElektra wrote:

I've been researching these hrm devices and wow is that one expensive! As a little (inexpensive) test, I ordered a cheap $15 one from china on ebay and I wear it as a watch and put my index finger over some sensor when I'm not moving. I don't know how accurate it is...but i'd love to get my hands on a good one to verify. Ideally I would like a constant log like the step counter does that syncs online. Does this Mia one calculate the pulse while actively moving and without being "asked"?

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I have had a couple of those cheapies and not so cheap, and they don't work. The one wrist type that I have found to be reliable is the Mio Alpha. That's not to say that there not others out there equally good - but I can vouch for that the One does work reliably. The battery is rechargeable and for me, it last for about 7-10 days before I have to recharge it. But it's not cheap, especially considering the limited functionality - it's an HRM and nothing more!