HRM Help

Shash27

Hello!

I desperately want an HRM..and my awesome boyfriend wants to get me one for my birthday..the question is..which one?

I'd like a wrist worn model that tracks calories.

What HRM do you all use? Any you wouldn't recommend??

Any help greatly appreciated!!

etarre

If you want your HRM to track calories accurately, you'll probably have to go for one with a chest strap in addition to the wristwatch. They're not as uncomfortable as they sound! I was reluctant, too, but I barely notice mine now.

Everyone here loves the Polar HRMs. Personally, I have a cheap model that I'm totally happy with (ProForm), but it does sometimes glitch when other folks with HRMs are nearby, so if you work out at a gym or take classes with lots of other people, you migth want to go for one of the brands that encodes the signal.

Amarillo_NDN

I use a little higher end but it the greatest thing I have every used for tracking Cals and Heart as well as distance and speed. It's the Forerunner 305 by Garmin.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=349

Clew

I use a Polar Ft4 (a chest strap model) and it's great. I bought a cheaper HRM first (made by Bowflex) and it was junk. Not to say all cheaper models are - just letting you know about that one

Good luck!

ChubbieTubbie

I have a sportsline one from WalMart that I really like. It hasn't given me any problems and I've had it since March. It has a timer and calorie counter, but no chest strap. It has a button that you push to read your heart rate, which is good except for when I'm doing aerobics, since it sort of throws off my rythym, but it's decent for jogging/walking/biking...

4lafz

Polar F6 is great. They have newer models out but the F6 is a nice light pink - and it works like a charm in and out of the water!

they are all wrist models - but you do need a chest strap to accurately track your HR with calories burned! It is not uncomfortable!

racmac

I use a little higher end but it the greatest thing I have every used for tracking Cals and Heart as well as distance and speed. It's the Forerunner 305 by Garmin.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=349

I was under the impression these werent very accurate for calorie counting - only when running - Im glad it is I will start using mine now

BravoFitness

I use a sport line HRM from walmart. It came with a chest strap and does a great job of counting calories. Easy to read large display. It can even be used without a strap if you press your finger up to the display at any time. I use it as an everday all day watch. It was about 50 bux at walmart. However when I run in 5kraces or marathons I use my Garmin 305 with chest strap that will also monitor distance speed pace and show my path on google maps when I hook it up to the computer. Does a lot more that that too. Well you can find that on craigslist for about 125 and up (buyer beware of course). Otherwise it about 299 in the store.

Good Luck

R. Bravo
FW TX

jdsouthernbelle

This is the one I use and it works great! Totally accurate on tracking HR and calories burned & no chest strap!

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/mio-classic.html

JPotvin

I love my Polar (watch and chest strap) It works well and is not uncomfortable at all!

tater8589

You could always go to a local store that sells them and ask about popularity which ones tend to be brought back, what the quality and warranties are. I tend to do that with lots of stuff, sales people would(should) know.

flattsfan22

You want one that's not going to get confused when other HRM's are around. The Polar F4 will get this way but anything above that will not. I have a Polar Ft7 in the women's style. I LOVE IT!!! It has a chest strap and frankly I would not recommend getting one without a chest strap because you are not going to get an accurate reading without it. I got my Polar FT7 off of Walmart online for the cheapest price. Good luck

dinos

I also use the Garmin 305 Forerunner with a chest strap. It is a great device overall and comes with numerous features (GPS, HRM, cadence, links to the PC, and on and on). The only problem is that it doesn't calculate calories burned based on the HRM, but on distance. If for example you run uphill for 30 mins at 160 bpm or glide downhill on your bike without even pedalling for the same amount of time, the 305 will show that you burned a lot more calories on the bike :noway:

You can always use an on-line calculator to correct your calorie burn according to your average heart rate (such as http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm), or buy one of their more expensive models (310XT or 405CX) that do heart rate-based calorie computations. Polar is another option.

Utahbeth

I love my pink Polar F6 and the chest strap, so comfortable I'll forget that I'm wearing it. And I love that I now I know when I'm working out hard enough.