Fitness Trackers/Smart Watches

StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil

Oct 30, 2010

9,775

BC, Canada

• Aug 1, 2015

• #1

Afternoon all,

Just wondered what some fitness/running enthusiasts prefer to track your activity?

I'm looking at the Fitbit Charge HR but wondering if there are better options out there?
Also considering the Apple Watch but it might be a bit too a premium device to get sweaty or possibly bashed about!

Whatever I get must have a HR monitor.

Cheers!

 

Last edited: Aug 1, 2015

Grombleton

Surrounded by <div>s

Dec 31, 2011

7,356

• Aug 1, 2015

• #2

I got the Charge HR a few weeks ago and its a great bit of kit - admittedly I don't have anything to really compare it with but I was going for the HR monitor for when I go running but also to see what I manage during my evening job.

I'd recommend it,

 

T

theboybilly

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2013

6,176

Along the Shoreham Road in er, Shoreham

• Aug 1, 2015

• #3

The Charge HR gets a mixed review here:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/13/fitbit-charge-hr-review-heart-rate-tracker

 

P

Pickledegg

Active member

Jul 13, 2012

213

• Aug 1, 2015

• #4

I've had a fair few devices over the years and now own the Garmin 920xt. Without doubt the best fitness device I have ever owned!

Granted a bit pricey but well worth the money if you are serious about your fitness!

 

Bob!

Coffee Buyer

Jul 5, 2003

11,119

• Aug 1, 2015

• #5

If you want HR info then the Garmin Forerunner 225 has to be top of the list.

 

Pembury

New member

Jan 12, 2015

578

South Wales Caerphilly

• Aug 1, 2015

• #6

Ive got a garmin 310xt with heart rate monitor strap. Its great bit of kit and has everything i need for running long miles..Its a bit old and chunky but you can pick up them up relatively cheap.

 

Pembury

New member

Jan 12, 2015

578

South Wales Caerphilly

• Aug 1, 2015

• #7

Ive got a garmin 310xt with heart rate monitor strap. Its great bit of kit and has everything i need for running long miles..Its a bit old and chunky/solid/bash and waterproof but you can pick up them up relatively cheap. Good battery life too.

So good i posted this twice

 

StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil

Oct 30, 2010

9,775

BC, Canada

• Aug 1, 2015

• Thread starter
• #8

Thanks all,

I'll have a look at the Charge HR and a Garmin.

I won't be tracking many runs as I mostly do circuits, sprints and football so I'm ultimately looking for something to show me HR stats, activity duration and calories burnt.

Cheers.

 

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,960

Eastbourne

• Aug 1, 2015

• #9

Fitbit has a terribly designed fastening; rather than a conventional type of strap, it has a two pronged affair that presses into holes on the other part & if you catch it on something it pings open quite easily

 

StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil

Oct 30, 2010

9,775

BC, Canada

• Aug 1, 2015

• Thread starter
• #10

happypig said:

Fitbit has a terribly designed fastening; rather than a conventional type of strap, it has a two pronged affair that presses into holes on the other part & if you catch it on something it pings open quite easily

Click to expand...

I've also read this somewhere else and it was a bit concerning.
Although, having looked at the images, it seems that the HR range (and models above) has switched to the traditional watch-strap rather than fancy-clip operation.

 

B

Bones

New member

Oct 25, 2006

432

Portslade

• Aug 1, 2015

• #11

I have Charge HR and strap not popped open once. Its quite a ball ache to do up though. Only problem I have encountered with the HR side of things is if you are doing anything that flexes the wrist it can lose the HR reading for a few seconds. Push ups, squat jumps, ******* etc.

 

StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil

Oct 30, 2010

9,775

BC, Canada

• Aug 1, 2015

• Thread starter
• #12

Bones said:

I have Charge HR and strap not popped open once. Its quite a ball ache to do up though. Only problem I have encountered with the HR side of things is if you are doing anything that flexes the wrist it can lose the HR reading for a few seconds. Push ups, squat jumps, ******* etc.

Click to expand...

Do you have to press any buttons or set it up ready for whatever activity you're about to do or does it just track everything 24/7?

 

Steve in Japan

Well-known member

NSC Patron

May 9, 2013

4,450

East of Eastbourne

• Aug 1, 2015

• #13

I have been using the Mio Alpha for a year or so. Major plus point is no chest strap needed. However output is basic - time, avg HR, time in zone. As far as I can tell. HR is fairly accurate - I check against treadmill and it's normally close.

 

Bob!

Coffee Buyer

Jul 5, 2003

11,119

• Aug 1, 2015

• #14

Steve in Japan said:

I have been using the Mio Alpha for a year or so. Major plus point is no chest strap needed. However output is basic - time, avg HR, time in zone. As far as I can tell. HR is fairly accurate - I check against treadmill and it's normally close.

Click to expand...

Best way of checking would be against your pulse.
How would you know that the treadmill is accurate?

 

StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil

Oct 30, 2010

9,775

BC, Canada

• Aug 1, 2015

• Thread starter
• #15

Bob! said:

Best way of checking would be against your pulse.
How would you know that the treadmill is accurate?

Click to expand...

The treadmills at my gym have HR sensors built into the frame, I imagine SiJ uses something similar.

I won't be able to check my HR whilst doing my workouts so I'd be happy to see my performance charted so I can compare week by week etc.