Do I need to use the chest strap in order to track calories burned?
1012895
Yes, absolutely. I fit it right under my bra around my chest and I don't even feel it.
1820289
Short answer: yes. Long answer: when you begin your work out, you hit a start/stop button. This starts a timer and begins keeping track of the various other things: calories, avg hr, etc. If you don't start the timer, you don't get those things tracked. It also has a lap button, to help with tracking pace, if you're a runner, swimmer or cyclist. I don't use that feature myself, so can't speak to it.
1343759
Strap goes on your chest ( below sternum ) & watch on wrist. Strap gives data to watch, which in turn will record heart rate data. Watch will display heart rate , calories burnt etc.
2211593
It comes with a strap with this piece that you snap on it and wear it in the middle of your chest. They actually sent me a new one because it just wasn't working right and I still have the same problem. Basically, I cannot see the calories burned while I am working out and that is the main reason I wear this monitor. I really want to see how hard I'm working out during my workouts. I can't see the true calories burned until I end the workout.
759353
I believe the difference is the foot pod. You cannot use it without a chest strap for heart rate, but you can use the foot pod without the chest strap.
1443868
I'm sure you can wear it to get a measure of your calories burned throughout the day, but I believe this device is most accurate when used during your workouts. However there are other devices that can do this for you -- I recommend checking out the FitBit. :)
1820290
Short answer: yes.Long answer: when you begin your work out, you hit a start/stop button. This starts a timer and begins keeping track of the various other things: calories, avg hr, etc. If you don't start the timer, you don't get those things tracked.It also has a lap button, to help with tracking pace, if you're a runner, swimmer or cyclist. I don't use that feature myself, so can't speak to it.
759352
Hi...it is probably best for you to call the polar phone number for the comparison. I was very disappointed in how many features the watches now have. I just wanted one that would measure heart rate and calories burned and a few additional features. But one of the two I trialled was over the top. Anyway, in my experience, the heart rate monitoring feature only works w a chest strap. I know there are products on the market that monitor in other ways but all the polar watches I have had require the chest strap. Hopefully any of that is helpful. The wait time on the phone is very long but the person who finally answered seemed knowledgeable so perhaps worth the wait. Hi...it is probably best for you to call the polar phone number for the comparison. I was very disappointed in how many features the watches now have. I just wanted one that would measure heart rate and calories burned and a few additional features. But one of the two I trialled was over the top. Anyway, in my experience, the heart rate monitoring feature only works w a chest strap. I know there are products on the market that monitor in other ways but all the polar watches I have had require the chest strap. Hopefully any of that is helpful. The wait time on the phone is very long but the... » Read More Hi...it is probably best for you to call the polar phone number for the comparison. I was very disappointed in how many features the watches now have. I just wanted one that would measure heart rate and calories burned and a few additional features. But one of the two I trialled was over the top. Anyway, in my experience, the heart rate monitoring feature only works w a chest strap. I know there are products on the market that monitor in other ways but all the polar watches I have had require the chest strap. Hopefully any of that is helpful. The wait time on the phone is very long but the person who finally answered seemed knowledgeable so perhaps worth the wait. « Show Less
1509715
No, but the ability to log your activities has a section where you can chart non-walking activities. If your bike is at the gym you should be able to estimate how many calories you burn, as most gym bikes have this. Then enter it as an activity along with the calories and you can make it a "favorite" so you can enter it each time.
606967
I don't think it does need a chest strap. I haven't used it yet but it is like a wrist watch that you wear around your wrist. I did at one time have a rowing machine that required a chest strap that would tell your puslse rate. Hope this helps a little.Lana
1579040
The watch comes with a sensor and chest strap to monitor your heart rate, but you can choose to not wear the sensor and use it as a watch only if you wish. Cory is right; although the heart rate is accurately recorded, the calories burned is not. Don't rely on it for that.
1579039
There is a chest strap and a wristwatch. The wristwatch is really nice, but it does NOT compute calories properly, so if that is a concern, please don't buy this!! I have been using the Polar FT4 for a long time now and have been happy. I did have to call the company at one point because it wasn't performing at it's best for a while, but they gave me some excellent care tips! Should you decide to go with the Polar HRM, please feel free to contact me again and I'll gladly share my tips :-) Best of luck!!
1492527
Yes, you do have to have the chest band on or else it has no way to measure your heart rate.
1839524
Yes, it comes with the strap. It is very comfortable. I've had two issues with this product.1) Even with inputting the correct information (age, height, hr, etc) it shows too many calories burned. I've worn three different HR Monitors for the same work out. This one always shows around 150 more calories burned than the other two.2) one of the side buttons fell off and now I have to use a needle to change the different functions.
2067587
Chest strap is absolutely necessary for heart rate. Nothing is needed for distance as long as you're able to connect to a satellite. If you are unable to connect to a satellite (inside on a treadmill, etc.) then you would need the footpod. Note: the foot pod is not as accurate as the satellite GPS in determining distance.
712258
No you can't. The only thing you can do without the chest strap is time your workout.
262328
It seems to measure your calories burned based on you checking your heartrate. I have noticed while in the midst of exercising and I check my heartrate with the watch, after it gets a clear read on my heart, the calories burned display shows either more or less calories in the totals.