What is the best heart rate monitor to use in conjunction with the flex?

[AZmojo]

I am looking for the best heart rate monitor to use in conjuction with the fitbit flex.  

Thanks!

[gerrymcd]

If by upper arm you mean upper forearm there is one I know about made by Scosche 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/scosche-rhythm-armband-pulse-monitor-yellow-black/6118585.p?id=121871723...

But, I've not heard of any HRMs that are worn above the elbow (like a blood pressure cuff).  I'm guessing arm muscles flex and contract too much to maintain a constant reading. 

[AZmojo]

Thank you for all the information, this community is great!

[slysam]

I have a now-discontinued Schoshe myTrek that I bought from Amazon when they put it on clearance for $19.79. They still have some on clearance, I'll post a link at the end of the post. I bought it because I was curious about whether it would be reliable. The reviews I could find at the time didn't seem to be written by people with more of a fitness background and usually commented more on how easy it was to wear and how the user found it more comfortable than a chest strap--but few comments on accuracy or reliability. I found, when paired with a good HRM app like digifit the calorie burn estimate seemed much like my H7 (which makes sense as the calorie burn estimate comes from the app's formula). So it is just a matter of how well it accurately and reliably senses heart rate. Well, when I wore my H7 and Schosche together it seemed less reliable it would freeze--I think the app was confused that there were two signals. When I use it on my own, it seems okay. I still prefer my H7, but it doesn't seem like a bad option if someone wants a cheap bluetooth HRM or really hates a chest strap but can't afford a wrist strap monitor. It is the same technology as the wrist strap styles, I believe. I think it does take a while to recharge and you have to recharge it often. I usually wear it on my forearm--quite tightly. Sometimes when I flex too much it does come unattached. It did come with some extension straps. I found without the straps it would fit my forearm tightly but the extension straps tend to make it a little too big for me. I read a review where the user put it on her calf just under her knee. I tried that and it worked okay as long as I was wearing shorts and didn't flex my calf too much. I imagine the newer models are improvements, though considerably more expensive than $19.97. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-Wireless-Monitor-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0056X5WQI/ref=sr_1_1?s=...

[Mary]

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@AZmojo wrote:

Are there any reliable arm band monitors that you would recomend?  The chest strap is difficult for me to use.

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You know the chest strap goes around like where your bra band does, right?  I've seen people who think it has to go around their breasts, so just checking.  

[AZmojo]

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Mary wrote:

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AZmojo wrote:

Are there any reliable arm band monitors that you would recomend?  The chest strap is difficult for me to use.

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You know the chest strap goes around like where your bra band does, right?  I've seen people who think it has to go around their breasts, so just checking.  

Yes, I know, it's just not as comfortable for me.  I also do Crossfit 3 days a week and it's dificult to use the chest strap.  I think I am going to just have to buy a wrist HRM, seems to be the best option.

[userpeach]

I thought i purchased this with an update but can not activate?

[Dominique]

What update? What cannot you activate?

[Heybales]

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@AZmojo wrote:

Yes, I know, it's just not as comfortable for me.  I also do Crossfit 3 days a week and it's dificult to use the chest strap.  I think I am going to just have to buy a wrist HRM, seems to be the best option.

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So what I didn't catch was the purpose of the HRM for Crossfit, to use to do what it's good at - monitoring your HR, or did you want it for calorie estimation?

Watching HR fine, to confirm you are pushing hard enough. To examine daily figures to see when you are getting tired and need to recover better, ect.

But for an activity like that, you'll get greatly inflated calorie burns.

The formula that estimate calories from HR is only valid for steady-state cardio in the aerobic zone, so same HR for 2-4 min between 90 and your lactate threshold about 150-170 perhaps.

Crossfit is totally opposite of steady-state, and going in to the anaerobic HR zone a lot with the high end cardio and lifting combo.

It would be so inflated but you'd never know how much, so not useful for that stat.

If that's the sole reason for wanting to get one, cheap wasn't going to get you any decent estimate anyway, and that workout was going to make it worse.

Might see what studies on calorie burn and Crossfit you can find. And not comments from others using HRM's, still not valid.

[Mike-D-M]

Looks like 2 issues

1) too tight

2) you are dehydrated