Heart monitor recommendations?

sunn_lighter
sunn_lighter Posts: 7,891 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Any recommendations for a heart monitor? I have Brachycardia (low heart rate, usually around 50 bpm, genetic). I'd like to find a monitor that helps me figure out how many calories I'm burning during the day, and helps me find a good target heart rate for fat burning while working out.

No real price point, I'm willing to spend $ for something that works.

TIA!

Replies

  • lucan07
    lucan07 Posts: 509
    I use a Polar and the only criticism I have is non replaceable batteries in sender as waterproof to 50 mtr but some models differ.
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    LOVE my Polar FT4
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 4,760 Member
    I use Polar HRMs. I have owned two, hubby borrowed one and never returned it so I had to buy another.
    He has the opposite problem his heart will race up to well over 250 beats at times.

    I am currently wearing my FT4. On Amazon for about $65. and if you swim it works for that too. Get the gel too as you can use water but it isn't as efficient as the gel especially if you are swimming with it, like my husband. I have a 2.5 oz tube of the gel that has lasted me about 4 years now. Granted I went sometime without using any but it doesn't break down and become ineffective. Lots of reviews on Amazon. Polar models usually get the best reviews. No matter what model and features you want. Get one with the band that holds the receiver, your results will be more fine tuned that way. And you just look at the watch you don't have to hold any buttons etc. Easy peasy, nice and easy.

    You can drop more that $300 for one that connects to your pc and downloads the data, but I find just tracking my cals burned is easy and I didn't want to spend that much. YMMV.

    Almost forgot you can change out the battery on the FT4 and most of the newer models, some older ones, like my original I have to send in. Love I can self change with the new one. My original didn't need a battery for over 2 yrs, but it was a pain mailing it in to do such a simple task.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    I'd like to find a monitor that helps me figure out how many calories I'm burning during the day, and helps me find a good target heart rate for fat burning while working out.

    If looking for something that tracks your activity through the day you want to look in Body Media, Fit Bit, Nike Fuel, etc.

    If you are looking for something to track your heart rate WHILE you are exercising then go with Polar or Garmin depending on the features you want.
  • DreamOfSunshine
    DreamOfSunshine Posts: 911 Member
    LOVE my Polar FT4

    One more in the Polar FT4 fan club :)
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    I have a Wahoo HRM... weird name, I know. I like that it sync's with my gen5 iPod and it's just a chest band, no watch.
  • spfldpam
    spfldpam Posts: 738 Member
    I love my Polar FT7. Waterproof and can use in the pool for water cardio classes. You just don't hit any buttons while it is under water is the only rule!
    I had some gift cards when I got mine through Macys.com and only paid $20 out of my own pocket. I love it and use it everytime I go to the gym.
  • MikeInAZ
    MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
    For the 1 millionth time. Get a Polar FT4 or FT7. If you want BlueTooth/App support then the Polar H7. The new so called strapless HRMs use LED lights to SEE your pulse in your wrist. Everything I've read says they work when the work. but if you're doing any kind of exercise where you bend your wrist, they tend to fail frequently.
  • TechOutside
    TechOutside Posts: 101 Member
    Bluetooth Zepher and icardio for me.
  • Kymwho
    Kymwho Posts: 183 Member
    I purchased a Polar FT4 about 2 weeks ago and I LOVE it!!! FYI: Best Buy will honor competitors ads! Got mine for $58 normally $99 with my Amazon link. :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Any recommendations for a heart monitor? I have Brachycardia (low heart rate, usually around 50 bpm, genetic). I'd like to find a monitor that helps me figure out how many calories I'm burning during the day, and helps me find a good target heart rate for fat burning while working out.

    No real price point, I'm willing to spend $ for something that works.

    TIA!

    A heart rate monitor will not give you useful data wearing it for the whole day, they are intended for use during steady state cardio exercise.

    Perhaps what you really want is something along the lines of a FitBit which is intended for all day use.......(I don't use one so I can't offer too much in the way of suggestions as there are several makers/ models out there)
  • lucan07
    lucan07 Posts: 509
    Any recommendations for a heart monitor? I have Brachycardia (low heart rate, usually around 50 bpm, genetic). I'd like to find a monitor that helps me figure out how many calories I'm burning during the day, and helps me find a good target heart rate for fat burning while working out.

    No real price point, I'm willing to spend $ for something that works.

    TIA!

    A heart rate monitor will not give you useful data wearing it for the whole day, they are intended for use during steady state cardio exercise.

    Perhaps what you really want is something along the lines of a FitBit which is intended for all day use.......(I don't use one so I can't offer too much in the way of suggestions as there are several makers/ models out there)

    Thanks for the tip... I did order the polar monitor but I do want something to track my heartrate all day, so I'll have to look into this. :)

    There is a new Polar equivalent due for release in the USA soon that can also link with HRM for accuracy during workouts.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Since you mention decent calorie burn estimates during exercise, skip the cheaper Polar's FT4/FT7 as they are missing and assuming a key stat for getting decent estimates - VO2max.
    The cheaper Polars assume that if you have a bad BMI for your gender/age, then you have a bad VO2max - which is bad assumption.

    RS300X is about their cheapest one with that stat, and self-test to get it.

    And as commented, calorie burn formula is only valid for the aerobic exercise range 90 - about 170 in steady-state mode, meaning HR is the same about 2-4 minutes.
  • dannyferris9
    dannyferris9 Posts: 9
    Hey there are a range of different ones to choose from especially when it comes to price from budget to high. The main difference is the functionality and the materials they are made from. The expensive ones have GPS and calorie counters etc, as well as being more metallic or stainless.

    There are also versions that have no watch or armband but you get a chest strap and then download an app for you phone that connects via Bluetooth. Neat ugh and everyone carries their phone everywhere right?

    For more info and to check out reviews on a selection check here http://www.myheartbeatmonitor.com , good luck with the training.

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