Recommend a HRM, feeling clueless

DrumlineGirl
DrumlineGirl Posts: 178 Member
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
I bought a heart rate monitor today. I'm returning it tomorrow. Basically, it's a watch and when you want it to read heart rate, you have to push a button (and on this model it sucks and doesn't read well). I had the stupid impression that if it was a watch, it would have a sensor to read your HR from your wrist. Wrong. You'd have to push the button during your whole workout to get a really accurate calorie burn number.

So do I have to get one that has a chest strap? How does that work for women? Is there a type of monitor that takes your HR constantly without pushing buttons or checking in?

Replies

  • silveryflutterby
    silveryflutterby Posts: 335
    Yes, the HRM's with the chest strap are most accurate because it constantly monitors your HR. I have a Polar and I really like it a lot. Some people really hate the idea of wearing a chest strap, but it really doesn't bother me. You just wear it right under the bottom of your sports bra. I love having it tell me how much calories I burned! Very instantly gratifying! :)
  • tolvunord
    tolvunord Posts: 1
    Polar HRM work great for both me and my wife, you just start it at the beginning of a workout and stop it at the end - it monitors the whole time.

    http://www.polar.fi/us-en/
  • athenafl
    athenafl Posts: 41 Member
    You do need one with a chest strap. They are not uncomfortable. I put mine under the band of my bra and the bra helps hold it in place. The strap does need to be snug (not constricting, just snugly against your skin) or you won't get a reading.

    Polar HRMs seem to have the most vocal/largest number of proponents on MFP. The Polar users seem to be very pleased. I use a Suunto and am very happy with it. My first HRM was made by Omron. IIRC, the Omron does not provide a calories burned number. So when you're shopping be sure to check the product specs and make sure the HRM calculates calories burned.

    HTH. Good luck!
  • DrumlineGirl
    DrumlineGirl Posts: 178 Member
    Thanks for recommending Polar. I'll have to save up a few months to get any of that.

    But, they have a sports bra with the strap built in. Though I can't tell what else I'd have to buy with it. I'll figure it out.
  • IzzieLee
    IzzieLee Posts: 19 Member
    I have a Polar FT7 and love it. It does come with a chest strap and there is no problem using it. There is also a special bra made by Polar that has the transmitter built in but it is very expensive. The only drawback I have run into with this HRM is that when you begin to monitor your HR it does not show you how long you have been working out. You can toggle back and forth between seeing the time on your watch and your HR, but both can't be on the same screen. It definitely has helped with my workouts though and seems to give a much better calorie count than the counters on the equipment (e.g. treadmill).
  • clioandboy
    clioandboy Posts: 963 Member
    I got a beurer PM70 for Xmas with a chest strap which is comfortable, I think it is great BUT beware I am still trying to get used to the tiny number of cals it gives me compared to mfp!!!!!
  • DrumlineGirl
    DrumlineGirl Posts: 178 Member
    Yeah, I'm afraid it's going to say I burn way less than I think I am. But that's why I need to do this. I've been stalled on weight loss for about 5 weeks now, so something is off. Getting an accurate count will hopefully help me figure out what's going on.
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