Just who uses a fitness band?

[mkg3]

.....If you decide to give the Polar a try, I'd be interested in hearing about your experience!

So I spend a little time looking through Polar A360 site and also found couple of 1st impression reviews online over the weekend. The downfall for A360, for me, is that it only tracks HR during workouts and the rest of the time is estimation based on HR tracked during the workout. The daily calorie count is from that and data input by the use (e.g., height, weight and so on). Sleep monitoring is strictly motion sensor only and no HR.

On the plus side, week long battery life, water resistance such that one can shower/swim with it. That said, it has microUSB port to charge so not sure how well that's kept dry, if submerged.

Did not plan to get a B2 due to lack of better iOS integration with Apple Health app but didn't want the current Apple Watch as I find it too chunky for my taste. Was hoping to make B1 last until 2nd gen AW but to no avail. B1 peeled inside and started having problems tracking steps as well as the area near the clasp started to separate apart (super glue works...) It was looking bit too sad to be wearing publicly, so needed something.

Got B2 today at the MS store. They offer to replace my B1 for free but once I tried the B2 on, it was so much more comfortable that I updated to B2. Sadly, they only gave me a $25 credit towards B2 for my B1 - pays for sales tax and couple of dollars left. Its just a price for supply and demand I guess...

 

[ajj3085]

So, they are used mostly for cardiovascular type workouts? One would think think you'd see them in a gym.

I use mine in the gym. I've created guided workouts which basically replace the book I tracked my routine in. Also serves as your heart rate monitor while you lift.

But the added benefit is that you can wear it almost all day long, so you get a better idea of your calorie usage throughout the day, so you can better adjust your diet. It also tracks how well you're sleeping which is important for recovery, and the dashboard will tell you how long it should be before you workout again, based on your last workouts intensity.

 

[ajj3085]

All cardio equipment in even the cheapest gym can monitor virtually everything a band can.

But it doesn't record it in my journal nor accurately track me outside the gym.

 

[ajj3085]

If you have a solid exercise and diet routine you have no need for Fitness tracking outside of a gym. If you eat healthy today you've done good for the day. If you inhale some Chipotle for lunch it doesn't matter how comprehensive the data your Band provides. Your day is lost. Track all the steps you want, it won't help.

Pretty much everything you say here is wrong.

 

[ajj3085]

One thing to look at is whether Polar has developed their own optical sensor, or is incorporating one developed by one of the handful of optical hr manufacturers (like MIO). I know Garmin has supposedly developed their own sensor for their new optical hr watch line; don't know if Polar has done the same.

I think it says they developed their own on the page. I do think some of their experience with chest straps will help. Getting a HR is one thing, but calculating calories burned from it accurately is another. I believe they have their own algorithm for this which is secret.

 

[Cartman]

TLDR

I have used the MS Band (Band 1 since the day it came out and now Band 2) to track my P90X workouts. It helps me track results from the exercises and compare differences. I would say the MS Band is great for that kind of guided exercise. If you name your exercises based on the body parts you are working out that day it would do the same.

Was thinking that it would be nice to see how my P90X results measured up to other people. Perhaps that would be better shared on the beachbody web site.

 

[skstrials]

I also do not see much use for a Band myself, not that I can get one in Canada.

If I want a heartrate tracking during my cycling, I can put my bluetooth heartrate chest strap which connects to my phone and my Pebble to show me the heartrate monitoring, which I know is more accurate than any other fitness band heartrate monitoring on a wrist.

I can also log in my calorie, distance, avg speed, all automatically calculated using a phone app, which can also show me the real time distance and speed sent to my Pebble as I am biking.

To me, I do not need to know my constant heartrate when I am working on a desk, driving, eating, etc. I know I am not exercising.

As for the sleep tracking, I have removed my phone from my room when I sleep, leaving it being charged outside, so that I cannot play with it on the bed; and I seem to be sleeping fine without any tracking devices.

Posted via the Windows Central App for BlackBerry 10

 

[Witness]

I used mine mostly for my running workouts, but the Band stays on my wrist the entire day. This allows you to get a whole picture of your activities, not just while in the gym. Sleep tracking data is something I look at every morning and that has helped me try to create better nighttime habits.

As for the gym, I'll be making the journey back there. Don't want to pay for a trainer, so I'll be using the Guided Workouts to accomplish my goals. If that's effective, it will more than pay for itself. You should at least try it out and let us know what you think. You can always return the Band to MS Store if it doesn't work out.