Friday, 21 November 2008
Calorie Counter
A few weeks ago I bought a fitness watch with a chest strap that was $69.99. I put it on, wrapped the chest strap around me, worked out.... But somehow, even though this was supposedly brand new, I had already burned calories before I put it on... And then I couldn't reset the calorie burn to 0 after a workout. So, I returned it and got my $70 back. I was just going to go ahead and forget the heart rate monitor but I was doing some workout videos and wanted to track my calorie burn. I also was working out on the treadmill and elliptical and just wanted to make sure I was getting an accurate measurement. So, I did an Amazon search. I instantly clicked on this one because it was cheap (after my bad experience with the last one, I didn't want to waste more money). It included a chest strap, which is what I wanted. I just received it today. It was easy enough to set up... Includes a user profile with age and weight (although that is in kg and I am not sure if you can change iit to lbs yet, but a quick Google search to convert lbs to kg was easy enough). The chest strap detected my heart rate instantly. I pushed start on the timer and worked out. I found out during my video that I burned about 60 more calories than a calculator online said, so I was happy about that.
It's just great watch, and I am super happy with my purchase. It is a little bulky (I am a woman) but I don't care. I am sure I will just get used to it. It may be cheap, but not cheaply made.
By the way, the box said "Simple heart rate monitor" so if you are looking for something super advanced, check out their other products. I am just beginning my exercise routines and I mostly want my heart rate and calories burned, so it is perfect for me. Pyle Sports PHRM38 Heart Rate Monitor Watch with 3D Walking/Running Sensor
"Oh, but if I want a good workout, I'll need to know my heart rate to stay in "the zone" and those things cost too much. So I'll just sit on my robust derriere, counting spare tires and eating cheesecake."I've used that excuse, too. Well quit delaying and click "Add to Cart". Look, I'm just getting started. I don't need something fancy. I just need to know when I hit 160 bpm and where I top out and how many cheesecake slices I just burned off - Not many, sadly.For less than half the price of more expensive units, this heart rate monitor gives you just as accurate a heart rate and calories burned. It may not be as fancy or pretty, but let's face it, neither are you these days. It just works and it's CHEAP!Setup was easy even though the controls aren't too intuitive. You have to start the stopwatch to get the calories burned during a workout and stop it like lap times to check your progress (the overall clock will still keep counting until you reset). Some of you may only have one lap in you, that's ok. At least you're moving!It's even got warning beeps at 160 bpm to let you know you're really getting your groove on and 80 bpm to remind you that you're a quitter. I like to do running/jogging cycles. When I hear the beeps I start running until 180ish then jog it back down to the beeps. I can't go much higher than 180 without feeling dizzy, and that's ok, because that threshold used to be 120 bpm!The watch isn't bulky or heavy, but would it hurt if it was, flabby arms?So if a heart rate monitor was your last excuse, it looks like you only have a couple more days of holding your breath in the mirror while it ships to you. Then it's time to get serious!
This is not a 5 Star product for the obvious reason that there are better products in the market, the manual is simple enough to follow, and it does exactly what is described, don't really like that fact that it cannot count how many calories you have burned on an exercise unless you have the stop watch on timer, but I guess that makes sense because (I think) it uses time and heart rate to guage how hard you are pushing and calculates how many calories is being burned.
The Heart rate monitor works perfectly, once you put on the belt and start to sweat it picks up your heart rate straight away (I guess it needs to be a little bit wet but the manual tells you that), it is simple (very simple) if you are looking for something sophisticated I advice you to spend more money, but if you are just looking for something that get's the job done, then this was the best I found on the market.
I will say the first 31 days this product rocked! It was accurate, to test I even manually figured out pulse and used gym machinery. It was within 5-8 beats which I consider accurate. The strap that comes with it is great and will fit a bigger man. 6'2, 300+ lbs. After about 30 days the readings started to go really weird, I'd bounce up to 240 and stay there for awhile and etc. I thought maybe it was batteries, so I replaced the batteries in strap and watch and still having really odd readings. I called Pyle and was on the phone line on hold for 32 minutes and just hung up. I cleaned the connector ridges on the chest strap thinking that was it. I made sure all cellphones and etc were taken way from the area and still having odd HRM (Heart rate monitor) and inaccurate readings. I really miss my HRM and just bought a different model to replace this one. The watch isn't the most stylish but it was very easy to use. Just wish Pyle would of go back with me and we got this watch fixed. Good solid watch to start but this one at least started to get very inaccurate. From the reviews I am assuming this one just was a lemon. The calories burnt was very nice to have. Once you get a HRM (Heart rate monitor) you won't to go with out one!
There is more high-end quality HRM watches out there but this is affordable for the average person and it works fine. I thought the instructions were a little complicated and had some gaps but in the end I've figured out how to mostly use it. The distance ran is accurate, I measured it in my car. Not a bad watch at all.'
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