Unfortunately, the answer is complicated because it varies from person to person. I can give ranges, but everyone’s calorie burning is based on their individual heart rate, current weight and amount of muscle. So, while theoretically you could burn 1,000 calories in my one-hour kickboxing class, most people probably don’t. Ok, so how do you really know how many calories you’re burning? Track it!
You should invest in a good heart rate monitor. There are some awesome ones out there that you can customize to your body and workouts. They range in price from about $25-$400 and can be a cute little accessory for your workout attire. I know I’m so girly, sometimes.
Interesting note on calories: Most people underestimate the number of calories they eat each day by 40% and overestimate the number of calories they burned by 40%. So, when you hit a plateau or rut and “just can’t lose weight.” It might be because you aren’t totally tracking it correctly. The only way to know for sure is to accurately record the calories you consume and measure the calories you burn. After all, weight loss is a simple principle of calories in vs. calories out.
Here are some that I’ve found and I’ll tell you the one that I’m itching to get!
The bodybugg® – $249
The bodybugg is a high-end monitor that monitors calorie burn with over 90% accuracy. That’s an assurance I like. The process used to determine calorie-burn is based on motion, steps taken (pedometer), galvanic skin response (when you sweat, your skin becomes electrically conductive. This measurement can help determine how active you are), skin temperature and heat flux (when you move, muscles produce heat; this device measures the heat that’s flowing from your body).
Wow. That’s a lot of measurements!
All of this data is managed through a web-based program that is free for 6 months and $10 per month after that. After you upload data from the bodybugg armband to your computer, you can use the web-based application to see how many calories you’ve burned throughout the day or during specific activities. The bodybugg system will actually calculate your calorie burn per minute.
After you enter the foods you eat, you’ll be able to see how you’re doing towards your goals. You set your own goals and time frames. The software is completely flexible to your needs.
If you want to know how many calories you've burned, or how many steps you have taken without plugging into a computer, the Digital Display will provide real-time results. The Digital Display device is sold separately, but there are often specials to get this free.
Ummm…love it! I SO want one of these. If you love me and want to buy me a present, look no further than the bugg!
While it’s on the more expensive end of monitors, it has a lot of incredible bells and whistles. Did I mention that you can get cute, blinged out straps to hold it in place on your arm? Yep. Bling. I’m sold.
24hourfitness.com
Bonus! Discount code to save $15: Enter all lower case: bbgcj24
Omron Heart Rate Monitor, HR-100C – $35
If you are looking for something basic and inexpensive that monitors your heart rate, this is the one for you. “The Omron HR-100C has been a fan favorite for years, mainly because owners say it is reliable and inexpensive,” according to consumer reports. While it doesn’t track calorie burn, it does cover the … basics, including tracking heart rate with a high/low alarm.
The Omron heart-rate monitor also performs well in independent testing, but it scores slightly lower than the Timex Personal Trainer. Overall, most users are happy with this heart-rate monitor, saying it is easy to set up, comfortable and relatively durable
For me, I need a few more features. I wanna know how many calories I burn! But, if you want to keep your heart rate at a consistent rate or a target zone, this is all you need.
amazon.com
Timex T5G941 – $40
According to consumer reports “The Timex Personal Trainer T5G971 lacks some of the bells and whistles found on expensive monitors, but reviewers say it's a reliable heart-rate monitor for the price. The Personal Trainer tracks heart rate and calories … burned; it also includes an Indiglo backlight and clock. Even though it's a basic heart-rate monitor, the Timex Personal Trainer is the best performer in a recent independent test. Testing indicates that the watch is accurate and easy to use, and owners say it picks up data quickly from the included chest strap. Owners also like the user-replaceable battery and large display.”
It’s still affordable and measures calorie burn. Hooray!
target.com
Polar F6 – $105
If you're looking for something in between, the Polar F6 has some added features without a huge price tag. Consumer Reports says “this model serves a happy medium between inexpensive heart-rate monitors and the pricey versions for serious athletes. The Polar F6 tracks heart rate and time, and it utilizes Polar's OwnZone to create a personalized training zone for your workout based on your heart rate during a short warm-up. The chest strap uses a coded transmission so you won't get interference from other monitors or exercisers in the area, and you can upload your workout data to the Polar website. The Polar F6 gets good reviews from more than 240 owners on Amazon.com, with most owners saying it's incredibly easy to use and a good value.”
It comes in a couple cute colors, too.
overstock.com
Polar FT60 – $215 (roughly)
Here’s a doozy of a monitor. It does just about everything but do your workout for you. Consumer reports says “It's probably overkill for most exercisers, but the Polar FT60 does much more than simply track heart rate – reviewers say it's a virtual personal trainer that provides personalized information you can apply to your … workouts. The fitness program included with the FT60 creates target heart-rate zones based on your current fitness level, and it tells you when you are training too hard or too easy. Reviewers say the Polar FT60 is difficult to set up initially, but the various training features and reliable monitoring make it a good buy. Users also say it is easy to review your workout data. Unlike most Polar heart-rate monitors, the FT60 has a user-replaceable battery. However, while many other Polar monitors include a way to upload your workout data to a computer, you'll have to buy an optional FlowLink device (*Est. $55) to get that functionality with the Polar FT60.”
Lots of cool features, but unless you are willing to spend the time tracking and using the different settings might be a little much.
amazon.com
Garmin Forerunner 305 – $150.99
My sister, the runner loves this monitor. She goes for long jogs and has been known to get lost! Not any more, she uses this incredible monitor to find her way through her easy 10-mile jogs! Ugh, 10 miles! She is a fit chicky, for sure!
Here are the details from the Garmin site: “Forerunner 305 sports a unique design that wraps the GPS antenna around part of the wrist for a better view of the sky, and its high sensitivity GPS receiver provides improved tracking under trees and near tall buildings. Forerunner 305 also sports a robust ANT+™ wireless heart rate monitor with softer, more comfortable chest strap and superior battery life. It eliminates cross-talk with other devices to reliably measure and send heart rate data, and it helps you train in your optimal heart rate zone.
Forerunner 305's courses feature lets you compete against previous workouts: you can compare your pace and heart rate to your past performance over the same run. You can also use Forerunner 305 to train for your next duathlon or triathlon with multi-sport workouts, a feature that lets you seamlessly transition between sports without resetting the unit, so you can use it for running, biking and more.
Train indoors and still track your distance, pace and calories burned with the optional Foot Pod accessory. This wireless sensor attaches to your running shoe and transmits distance and pace data to your Forerunner 305 so you can still use it when GPS reception is unavailable.
As an added benefit, you can plan, analyze and store data from your workouts through our online community, Garmin Connect™, or our free Garmin Training Center® software. Conveniently upload your data to Garmin Connect for an in-depth analysis of your workouts; online mapping and route sharing that will take your training to the next level. With Garmin Training Center® software, you can analyze data with interactive graphs that chart your pace, time, distance and heart rate. Overlay your run on a map so you can pinpoint specific areas and see how elevation and other factors affect your performance.”
Whew!
amazon.com
Nike Triax C5 Heart Rate Monitor Watch – $89
I kind of tend to love anything Nike! I actually have this watch and am looking to upgrade. It has served me well this far, though.
You can time your workouts with varying interval timer and alarm options. It is also water resistant for those swimmers out there. According to Christine Fennessy, fitness writer, “Solid-feeling and cool-looking, the Triax nicely handles basic monitor functions, such as target heart-rate and out-of-zone alarms. It features an easy-to-read angled face and a durable, scratchproof construction. The large stopwatch numerals are cool, too. The C5 does lack a calorie counter, and the heart-rate numbers seem small when used in tandem with the stopwatch.
Oh and the Triax Mia is very cute. Comes in pink!
Niketown.com
Well there are some options for you. Bottom line, I believe the best heart rate monitors are those that record calorie burn. That is the critical number to log each day to achieve your fitness goals.
But what about looks? Which is the cutest? You know that’s an important factor in choosing a monitor. If I was choosing based on the best-looking device sans accessories, I like the Nike Triax Mia or the Polar F6. The bodybugg wins hands down when you factor in the blingy straps. Love it, love it, love it!
To check out the bling: http://www.blingmythang.com/Showcase.php
Now, off with you, go stretch naked and count those calories – both eaten and burned!
Thank you to my friend Katherine who suggested this topic.
1 comment:
In my opinion, its just as important to use a calorie counter for your meals as it is to use a calorie tracker to count the calories you burn. It's the best way to keep track of your progress.
Post a Comment