Fitbit HR vs chest strap: Hello. Has anyone... - Couch to 5K

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Fitbit HR vs chest strap

19 Replies

Hello. Has anyone tried comparing these two ?? Does the Fitbit come in close ?  Got a strap for running but fancied the Fitbit for walking & resting stats. Bit pants that they aren't waterproof, but hey hoo.  Do you have a Fitbit ? Do you like it ? 

Cheers 

19 Replies
B0bP profile image
B0bPGraduate

I have a Fitbit HR and I also have a chest strap HRM that I use on my rowing machine.

I like the Fitbit, it's a nice gadget and it makes me more aware of various stats through the app, like how much sleep I have, how much water I drink etc.

I think the chest strap HRM's are currently more accurate that the light pulse monitors in particular for rowing as sometimes the figures are way out.

That said I'm not that bothered about the accuracy as it's more to do with how active I am and that's not really dependant on your HR.

I do want to buy a Garmin forerunner gps watch in the near future and I'm currently leaning towards the 230 (with chest strap HRM) instead of the 235 with built in HRM as I think if I go done the heart rate based training I want the most accurate method of recording my HR.

in reply to B0bP

Morning. Ands thanks for your reply. I have the FR230, with strap (since last wk - from Amazon) and I can confirm, it's a fab gadget. Love it. Treat yourself, you won't regret. Even looks ok on my tiny wrists, wear it 24/7. I also wanted the 235 but it's a lot more exp and the reviews about its hr aren't exactly encouraging...this put me off.  

Happy you find the Fitbit ok. I've ordered one from Tesco now. Intend to wear  on the other wrist for 24/7 hr monitoring. 

My fitness goals revolve around heart health. With the aim of getting resting hr down, if this is even possible and making sure I don't overdo it on exertion. I'm no youngster, even though I often forget this :)

Thanks for your review on the Fitbit, good to know it's not a waste of money. Cheers.   

in reply to B0bP

Ps. If u do go for the 230/235. Get a tempered glass screen protector. Scratched mine already. Which peeves me greatly. 

Whippo09 profile image
Whippo09Graduate in reply to B0bP

Hi i use a garnin chest strap for running cycling etc and find it accurate. Not got a fitbit but also use garmin vivoactive watch for steps distance you name it during excercise. Its great for activeties but i think like the fitbit normal steps are inaccurate.  I find I do tend to overuse it so it interferes with life. I would stick with chest and get a watch everytime. Hope that helps.

in reply to Whippo09

hi Whippo, keep changing my mind on what to get...argh.  Agree with you, chest straps are the best.  Prefer using iPhone for conservative step tracking.  Anything on the wrist gives me 1000 steps every time i blow dry my hair...lol.  Only really interested in the hr side of stuff anyway :)  thought i'd get the mio, then i read diabolical user reviews so I'm back to fitbit.  Suppose none of them are very good in reality...

Whippo09 profile image
Whippo09Graduate in reply to

Hi @oinky72. Have heard a couple of people say alergic to fitbit (rash). Have a look at garmin forerunner watches depending on what you want to spend. I really like garmin watches but i dont blow dry my hair lol.

SolNaveen profile image
SolNaveenGraduate

I use Jabra sport pulse headphones, these have a HRM built in, I also have just started using a Garmin VIvofit HR, both are as accurate as each other, the Garmin logs better stats, but it's also nice having Bluetooth headphones. I'm addicted to fitness trackers as it really keeps me moving , especially on my days off.

in reply to SolNaveen

Never heard of the jabra headphones. Is the vivofit waterproof ?  mio wrist straps have been suggested too. Think I'll cancel the fitbit order and do a bit more research before I buy.

Addicted to tracking too. Tracking and comparing stuff. Gawd. Move over caffeine there's a new kid in town. Haha 

 Thanks. 

SolNaveen profile image
SolNaveenGraduate in reply to

Yes the Garmin is waterproof, I swim with mine

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

I use a MIO Link with my Garmin FR15 to monitor heartrate.  The MIO Link is a wrist heart rate monitor which pairs with the garmin with ANT+.  I used polar chest straps for years but find the MIO link on the wrist much more comfortable, in as much as I dont even notice it.  It is rechargeable via usb :)

in reply to Zev1963

Sounds great. I'll look into the mio. Got a garmin and strap. But want something wrist based too. Strap is v good but bit overkill sometimes. Ta

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

Oooooo that is a new arrival since I bought my MIO Link, that looks really nice.  If ever my MIO Link stops working then I think that I'll replace it with one of those :)   Well done for finding that, I think you will be pleased with it :)

in reply to Zev1963

Haha.  Can't wait to play. Gonna try & get it today. Otherwise Amazon. Toys toys. 👯😝

Genome911 profile image
Genome911Graduate

Fitbit HR very inaccurate compared with high end Polar chest strap & manual heart rate. It's even worse with exercise for me, despite using all their precautions. Still use it for walking in the neighborhood (lazy!)

in reply to Genome911

Haha. Yes. Lazy is what I was after. Have decided to go for a mio instead. Thank you for your feedback on Fitbit :) 

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate

If it helps any, I ran with FR235 and then the FR630 with a chest strap. From what I can tell (of a sample of 1 run each ;-)) the FR235 is fine. Great watch.

Having said that, it did cause some rubbing on my wrist when I had it tight enough to monitor, I didn't find it _that_ comfortable being so high up my wrist and I much prefer the FR630. Other people have no problems wearing it though, probably just me doing it wrong?

Also, the new HRM-run chest strap (the one you get with the FR630) is a delight to wear. I have only worn it twice, but the first time I ran with it I forgot to take it off after the run :-).

in reply to yatesco

Morning. I saw some of your posts about the 630. I can tell you're in love with it :) I'm a gadget nutt too. I have the 230 with strap. It's fab u luss. Love what this watch can do and the tons of data it generates. Phone app not bad too.

Was after something for resting stats tho. Got a Fitbit in the end. It's going back. My garmin strap and polar H7 agree on hr. Fitbit seems to pluck random rates from the sky. Is odd. Works on hubby but not me, maybe due to small wrists ?! Dunno.

Keep enjoying your new toy. Am like kid in a sweet shop with mine. Can't wait to compare data in 12 months. The vo2 stat is interesting, am not far off dead !?

Enjoy your day :)

in reply to

Ps. I did consider the 235. But read a few negative reviews about hrm accuracy. Maybe unfounded...but this, plus the additional cost put me off it.

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate in reply to

This sounds pretty similar to my view. It is ironic the number of man-days I have spent sitting (i.e. not moving) in-front of my laptop researching how I am going to get fit :-).

I returned the FR235 in order to get the FR230+strap but then an unexpected birthday gift appeared and hence the upgrade to the FR630 was free - otherwise I would have stuck with the FR230.

If I want the resting HR enough then I might consider a fitness tracker. My first ever one was the vivosmart HR which was actually really nice to wear.

However, I am not even going to think about it for a year or so lest my wife picks up on it :-).

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