how to gauge the calorie burn?

[Mitchy1nge]

readings from machines and bikes are all over the place, can't be bothered to do heart rates and sums (all values estimated anyway) - are any of the wearable gadgets worthwhile or do you continue logging it with a pinch of salt, so to speak?

This is pretty much exactly what I came on this board to ask!

I am reasonably fit and active anyway, but would like to get a watch style gadget to see how much good I'm doing each day, iykwim!

I am trying to decide between the FitBit and Nike FuelBand, but not sure if there is anything else out there as good or better?

They are both quite expensive so want to make sure I'm getting the right one for the money!

I think it's a bit like the bathroom scales, they don't have to be accurate but they do need to be consistent so you can monitor a trend. Have used a watch thing that is not set up for my size and fitness but for my bigger, fitter friend.

Hopefully someone will talk me out of buying any more STUFF because although it would be nice to know it isn't essential is it? Love gadgets though

I use a garmin watch with heart rate monitor.
Not really sure if even that is very useful since, as you get fitter you can can do the same amount of work @ a lower heart rate.

I think that the benefits of exercise extend far beyond the calories burned during the actual exertions so I dont pay too much attention to the calories except as a way of keeping a record of the volume of cardio that I've done.

I think that just logging the time spent exercising might be just as useful assuming you tend to work at a similar intensity?

I have the MyZone belt that customizes all estimations to your stats as well as resting heart rate, etc. measures calories, % of peak rate at each point in time, etc. I actually find it incredibly useful, especially when I can see the result live while exercising, because it basically tells me when I could be working harder. problem is that you need the Myzone centre thing/facility to get the data that is stored on the belt downloaded and displayed - my gym has them but otherwise I am not sure how that would work! Sorry probably not so useful but if you come across the MyZone facility anywhere, it's excellent.

I use the one on mapmyrun app (free) but no idea how accurate it is!

I'd second the use of a consistent method rather than trying for increased accuracy, like always using the same set of scales.

That being said it is a pain if like me you're trying to balance your calorie intake and a more accurate reading could mean a bite of mars bar.

I have a Polar heart rate monitor watch and use that to monitor calories. It is very consistent.

thanks everyone, do you gadget gurus think they are all pretty similar?

am just obsessed with interested in working on my fitness as much as possible and I don't know how else to assess at (or near) the time how effective any given activity is?

heart rate is very closely correlated with the amount of effort you are putting in and it makes it easy to stay in the right 'zone' whether you want to increase endurance or you want to go for intervals.

I also find it useful to see that, for instance, my heart rate when jogging on the treadmill is the same as when walking fast at an incline

I have just the thing, and it is going to make me billions

I bought a cross trainer off ebay and according to the monitor, I burn around 850 calories during a moderate 10 minute exercise. Of course it is entirely accurate and I am going to clone it and become very, very rich (and very, very slim).

Jawbone Up is supposed to be pretty darn good for this. It links up with ur android/iOS too n has a food diary bit a lot like MFP