need serious help choosing the correct HRM

tukrainets

I've never had a HRM or anything close to it.. i go to the gym and i calculate how many calories burned by what the machine says, IF i run outside i guesstimate which is terrible i know. So i've decided to by a HRM what i need is for it to:
1. count calories burned throughout the day and when exercising
2. count steps

i would like to wear it all day but what i dont understand is why so many people have the chest strap. I dont pay attention to my heart rate while exercising so another question: is that REALLY important? An example is when i'm on the elliptical on a high resistance for 30 mintues my heart rate can go up to 179 (thats the metal handle bars on the machine).. bad? good?
any and all help is GREATLY appreciated :-D thank you!

tukrainets

oh and if it matters: i'm 21 yrs old 5'9 238 lbs

innerfashionista

bump - want to know about the strap. I have one and it kind of annoys me.

ukhennin

The chest strap gives you the best, most accurate reading. I would suggest a Polar FT-4 but I paid a little extra for the FT-7. Both are good.

tukrainets

i googled the polar ft4 and it looks like a watch, does the chest strap come with it or have to purchased separately?

ukhennin

The chest strap comes with it. It has a transmitter on it that communicates with the watch.

tukrainets

The chest strap comes with it. It has a transmitter on it that communicates with the watch.

thank you! alot of my friends rave about the polar.

katheern

The chest strap comes with it. Like I mentioned in my comment I posted on your wall:
The chest strap is what counts your heart beats per minute. The watch will show you what that number is as well as tell you how many calories you are burning (as well as just being a regular watch :P).

The main part of the HRM is to tell you if you are within your workout "zone", and if you are pushing yourself hard enough to get the most of your workout. If you want more information on what the target zones means here is a link: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm

The watch I have (Polar FT4 which I highly recommend) will calculate for you what your target zones should be based on your age, weight, height, and gender. I had another HRM which only asked for age and weight and it way over estimated my caloric burn.

ukhennin

In all my research, they were the name that kept coming back up. It seems like if you have the money, they're pretty much the only way to go. Good luck.

Maurey

HRM's that have the chest strap tend to be more accurate than ones without it. I really like my HRM it is polar RS300x. you can get extra parts for it to calculate your pace/ distance (but not actual step count). Not sure if you can get an HRM monitor that also counts steps. I have a pedometer that I use daily (omron HJ-720itc). I tend to only wear my HRM when working out.

jbug100

I have a polar ft4. It is only good for counting cals with excercise. I beleave it relies on heart rate measurement to calculate cals burned, hence the chest strap. It sounds like maybe you want something like a body bug. This gives much mordant detailed data about your activity. Also costs a lot more I think. I thought about a body bug, but decided that it was bordering on obsessive. I paid $100 for the polar, but I've seen others get it for less.

tukrainets

the only difference amazon is giving me on polar ft4 and ft7 is price.. what features are in the ft7 that are not in the ft4?

ukhennin

I believe the 7 will allow you to adjust your zones manually while the 4 will not. You can compare the two at polarusa.com

miatavixxen

Love my FT4 - amazon has it for less than $100. Considered getting the FitBit for everyday use (for the rest of the day and for walk/step counts) but for workouts? FT4 is great - chest strap and all...

rileysowner

This is an article that should help http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

As to the chest strap, if you want a HRM that figures out calories, the only ones that have any sort of accuracy are the ones with a chest strap. Without the chest strap the calories are not in any way accurate, so don't even bother purchasing one without a chest strap as it would be a complete waste of money.

Another thing to note is that HRMs are not built to calculate calories for the whole day. They are only meant for calculation of calories during cardio exercise. I wear my watch part all day to get periodic measurements of my HR with the on demand function. I only use it for calories for exercise and use my chest strap then.

I have a Sportline, but Polars are the big name, and the better models allow enter VO2 max (see article linked above) or calculation of it, and they will make it more accurate in calculation of calories.

Picola1984

I got the FT4, love it. The chest strap is a bit annoying but I take off the watch and attach it to the machines so I don't get all sweaty around the wrist.

My advice is BUY ONE!! The machines at my gym over estimate by around 100-200 calories depending on the machine used (much to my disappointment)

The FT4 doesn't count steps but does calculate your 'zone' heart rate and records your data of each workout.

tukrainets

thank you so much! after much research I just bought the FT7 !

lunamare

Great article, Jim. I had read a few other articles about how HRM estimate your calories burned but that one makes it very clear. I still haven't convinced myself to spend the $$ on one right now. Maybe if my beloved watch dies I will.