The Importance of a Heart-Rate Monitor?

I see a lot of posters here tracker their progress with a HRM. While it sounds amazing - I won't be able to own one anytime soon.

A question or two:

For those who were on CC first then acquired a HRM later - did you find the burn results about the same from this site and your HRM? (For what you burn during exercise and/or resting burn rate)

If so/not so - do you feel the HRM is an absolutely necessary tool?

I ask as someone who is struggling not to screw up my weightloss like I did before - I was able to lose weight incredibly fast from being a bit younger. Even as someone who has lost 80+ lbs. I feel like I still have no idea what I am **** doing, haha.

Also, since I have upped my fitness regiment to 3-4 times a week. (2 days of lifting/cardio then two days of jogging) - I have no idea what I am burning at all, if anything. The only SLIGHT idea I have is that I use a pedometer with a calorie burn count during my jogs, which can be inaccurate as all get out.

Also, I am only...uh, 3 weeks into a commited regimen, so I might be freaking out a bit. :x

So, uh, long-ass words aside: Do you find CC's burn numbers close to your actual burn rate? Do I ABSOLUTELY need a monitor?

If this is in the wrong forum, could a mod move it to the right place, please? :)

Thank you for your help!

A heart rate monitor is useful for zone training for improved cardiovascular fitness if you're into endurance sports, for weight loss it's merely mildly helpful.

 Granted, the formulas are approximations and a HRM wil give you a better approximation which translates into somewhat more presicion in your calorie targets and the estimates for deficits, so over time you have somewhat improved results. But the difference isn't all that dramatic - enough to make it useful, but not so much that you won't see very good results without it.

I had been on CC for over a year before i got my HRM. The calories on here were NOT accurate! It said i burned far more calories then i really did. I didn't realize how much effort is needed to actually burn 300 calories! It also motivates me to keep going even though i'm tired because i really want to make sure i reach 300 cals burned or whatever it is that i'm aiming for that day.

I love my HRM and would suggest everyone get one. I use it to not only count calories, but make sure i'm within my target heart rate so i'm burning the most fat for my workout.

I spent about $150 on my Polar. There are cheaper ones, but i recommend getting a little bit more expensive one that will give you the best results and last longer.

I'm a cyclist, so as far as calories burned cycling goes my heart rate monitor, this site, other sites I've used, and even the charts that were in Bicycling Magazine about 25 years ago are all very close to one another.  I don't think my HRM is any more or less accurate then the charts but I think a HRM can be misleading if it is not set-up properly.  I don't really think anyone needs a heart rate monitor as a weight loss tool but it does make zone based aerobic training a tad easier because you don't have to count your pulse yourself. 

I've read enough comments from other posters thought to know that not everyone has had the same experience.  The question then becomes which method of estimating calories burned is the most accurate?  It may vary based on the individual.  And it seams most people trust the HRM which could be a mistake.

I'm different, in that my HRM usually shows more calories burned than just about anywhere else I have looked.  I'm not sure I trust it for that reason, but I tend to take the numbers I find on-line and my HRM results and just sort of average them out.  I figure it's a fair number. 

But, really they are not *necessary*, just another tool to help us. 

I'm totally addicted to my HRM! I find the calorie counts to be way different than what is on this site, some exercises are more some are less. Either way, I love being able to look at my wrist and see what my heart rate is at during any given time. It also motivates me to keep going until I hit my target burn for the day, whether or not the number is really accurate. Not necessary, but fun to have and very motivational for me.

Like others I have found that cardio machines, this site, and other exercise charts, give me a higher calorie count then my HRM. I know that weight loss is not a simple math equation, but I do keep a chart in exel tracking the number of calories consumed and burn to figure out what should be my expected weight loss each week. Before the HRM I found I was often frustrated because I wasn't seeing the results I was expecting, but with the HRM I find my tracking is much more accurate.

I also like the HRM because it is a means of knowing if I am working out hard enough. I don't enjoy being "uncomfortable" so sometimes when I am doing my cardio, whether it is on the bike, treadmill, or crosstrainer, I find I tend to ease up and sort of coast along. Seeing my heart rate it gives me immediate feedback that I need to step it up.