Fitness trackers
Discussion
Hello all,
Just wanted a quick survey to see who uses fitness trackers and what you make of them.
I'm interested in getting something to keep an eye on my heart rate throughout the day, and when working out at the gym, as well as tracking sleep and that sort of thing. I've got a Garmin Edge with an HRM chest strap for cycling, so don't need it to have GPS or specific cycling stuff, and I don't run. I also plan to keep wearing a regular watch, so it doesn't really need any smartwatch functionality.
Basically, I want something that fills in the gaps between cycling sessions and keeps an eye on things in general, and will let me plumb the data into Apple Health, or MyFitnessPal.
I've been looking at some of the lower-end trackers but have heard that the HRM can be a bit unreliable on some of them. Anyone got thoughts or experiences?
Cheers.
Just wanted a quick survey to see who uses fitness trackers and what you make of them.
I'm interested in getting something to keep an eye on my heart rate throughout the day, and when working out at the gym, as well as tracking sleep and that sort of thing. I've got a Garmin Edge with an HRM chest strap for cycling, so don't need it to have GPS or specific cycling stuff, and I don't run. I also plan to keep wearing a regular watch, so it doesn't really need any smartwatch functionality.
Basically, I want something that fills in the gaps between cycling sessions and keeps an eye on things in general, and will let me plumb the data into Apple Health, or MyFitnessPal.
I've been looking at some of the lower-end trackers but have heard that the HRM can be a bit unreliable on some of them. Anyone got thoughts or experiences?
Cheers.
ORD said:
Fitbit HR charge. Good for keeping track of movement and heart rate during the day. Terrible during workouts. If you sweat a lot or get 'pumped', it basically gives up trying to take your HR.
One minute my heart rate shows 160bpm, the next two minutes I'm flat lining according to fitbit!
chris watton said:
ORD said:
Fitbit HR charge. Good for keeping track of movement and heart rate during the day. Terrible during workouts. If you sweat a lot or get 'pumped', it basically gives up trying to take your HR.
One minute my heart rate shows 160bpm, the next two minutes I'm flat lining according to fitbit!
I've got a Fitbit Charge HR and find it's OK for day to day heart rate measurement, though tracking during activity is abysmal.
If your Garmin Edge caters for your cycling, then the Charge HR could be a decent addition, especially as the Charge 2 has just come out, so it should be pretty cheap.
If your Garmin Edge caters for your cycling, then the Charge HR could be a decent addition, especially as the Charge 2 has just come out, so it should be pretty cheap.
I've recently purchased a Tomtom Runner 2 which does what you're asking for including build in HRM and ability to stream music to wireless Bluetooth headphones. I've found the HRM to work pretty accurately apart from when in the gym (not sure why!). Below is a screenshot of my heart rate from a steady 10k run, very stable reading in my view and ties in well with any speed or elevation changes (also shown in the Tomtom MySports app). It can also monitor and calculate your resting heart rate.
LimaDelta said:
chris watton said:
ORD said:
Fitbit HR charge. Good for keeping track of movement and heart rate during the day. Terrible during workouts. If you sweat a lot or get 'pumped', it basically gives up trying to take your HR.
One minute my heart rate shows 160bpm, the next two minutes I'm flat lining according to fitbit!
But there isn't a single optical HRM on the market that is accurate during any workout other than running. Cycling, rowing, weights, etc. - they're all varying degrees of rubbish. Which is why I wear a polar H7 during gym sessions - especially if I'm doing heart rate based workouts, which is just impossible on an optical.
Just picked up a Fitbit Charge 2 - seems okay. I wanted it for sleep tracking with some of the other stuff on top (like a good battery). Seems a bit off on steps, but close and the heart rate has, so far, been spot on. I know these wrist trackers aren't great for that though - I have a chest strap for running which I would definitely switch to if that were important.
Was just going to ask this question, not really all that fussed during exercise as it is quite clear my heart rate is going up, interested how low it goes at night really.
just taken my BP 130/76, with a pulse of 59 whilst sat at my desk, wondering how much different it is when properly relaxed so wouldn't mind something that takes it at night and gives you some history.
just taken my BP 130/76, with a pulse of 59 whilst sat at my desk, wondering how much different it is when properly relaxed so wouldn't mind something that takes it at night and gives you some history.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes - it's the Miband 2 that I have with the screen for time etc. You don't need to keep looking at your phone.Check out the Miband tools app - this allows you to take continuous heart rate readings or schedule them - the Mi Fit app doesn't allow this.
For me this additional functionality makes it equal to any of the others; the only thing it doesn't have is GPS.
Just saying it again: £25. Ridiculous value.
How did you find Gearbest? Did it take long to arrive?
Cheers.
Cheers.
8Ace said:
Just bought a Xiaomi Miband 2 for £25 from Gearbest.
Spend the evening wearing both it and my Polar HRM and it tracked accurately. Tracks steps too.
Functionality not as slick as Fitbit but good enough for what i need...
Spend the evening wearing both it and my Polar HRM and it tracked accurately. Tracks steps too.
Functionality not as slick as Fitbit but good enough for what i need...
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff