*HRM*-Should I get one?

ladyluck4210

I've been seeing a lot of people talking about heart rate monitors. I can't help but wonder if it's something that I should get as well. I know the calorie burns on MFP aren't totally accurate, and I'd like to see how much I'm actually burning. I think this might give me a better perspective on what activity level I should be performing every day. What is everyone's perspective on this? And what kind do you suggest I get? Thanks for any help!

~Becki

BJC78

I just bought mine Wednesday night and I LOVE IT!

ladyluck4210

what kind do you have?

MissMandy1010

I have been thinking of purchasing one, too. I think its a good thing. but Im interested in what others have to say.

KarenKiesel

I have a Polar F6 and I LOVE it. I have had it for a couple of years. I would recommend getting one.

percussionbeat

Yeah I'm thinking of getting one too...heard Polar makes really good ones, and the Cardio Trainer app on my phone can link up to it for calculations. How much was the F6 though? Not too sure what my budget should be.

shellbell1993

Asking for one for my birthday want to know which one to drop hints for

timeforme23

Best thing ive ever bought. I have a Polar FT40

bonjour24

i have a polar (? model), and i love it! it keeps me going. it tells me what my heart rate is, what my calories burned are, and how long i've been going for. it's waterproof, and awesome!
it logs the last 14 workouts, and that encourages me to keep going to keep the graph at the same height!
lots of people don't think they need one, but then they get one and LOVE them!
but only get one if you're committed to keep going with exercise. otherwise it will be an expensive waste of money.

wdwghettogirl

I have a Polar FT4... love, love, love!! Best fitness investment I've made.

nosey_rosey

I have a Polar F6 and I LOVE it. I have had it for a couple of years. I would recommend getting one.

I also have the F6 and love it!! I don't know what I would do without it!! My calorie burn was way more with MFP on some exercises and way less on others. I know now what I am burning and what I should be eating Make sure the one you get has a chest strap. The Polar chest straps are very comfy and I hardly realize I have it on!

nosey_rosey

Yeah I'm thinking of getting one too...heard Polar makes really good ones, and the Cardio Trainer app on my phone can link up to it for calculations. How much was the F6 though? Not too sure what my budget should be.

I got mine on ebay for 28 bucks I think they run around 80-100 normally!

jeninne

It was a must for me. I can tell as I get into better shape the numbers change for the same exercise. A monitor is particular to you- so the numbers are much more accurate- not exact but helpful. Lots of people here get Polars and like them. I got an inexpensive timex off amazon that shows cal. Burned. Not had a problem with mine. Played around with it vs machines- mine is more accurate for me as I said. Google monitors- there are some good sites to read.:)

BJC78

what kind do you have?

I have the polar ft4. I love it!

BJC78

Mine was on sale for 69.99

kayleeblue

I have the Polar FT4, just getting used to it...so far so good. I Like it..But need to remember I have it before I start my work out..Paid $70 for mine.

lizzyheath09

I have a Garmin GPS watch that I use when I run/ride. It has a HR monitor with it and I have only used it once, while lying in bed just to see how low my HR really gets (49bpm). Haha. I say if you can find an inexpensive one.. go for it if you want one.

h3h8m3

I got the FT7 recently. I think it's a total no-brainer for those of us who are serious about losing weight. I can't believe I went without it as long as I did. Get it.

ladyluck4210

Thanks everyone! I'm most likely going to try and find one used since I'm kinda broke right now! But this helps a lot!

Kalamity2011

IMHO, HRM are excellent tools for athletes to assist in training. For typical weight lost or general health monitor, I think you might consider a digital blood pressure monitor with pulse. I think it is more valuable to see how your heart is working and not just when you are exercising. I am monitoring my BP twice a week. I get my A.M. resting just after I get up, am my P.M. active after I get home from work before prepping dinner.

U R your 1st line of defense in the game of life; play hard, play fair and play to win. Kate

Jellyphant

I just order my silver Polar FT4 online yesterday. it was on sale for 73.99.

lilkatiebug

My husband bought me the Polar FT7 and I didn't think I would use it very much. I am one of those people that avoid the HRM on exercise machines and never really cared what my heart rate was. After you put your information into the watch it calculates what range your HR should stay in. Now when I do go walking/jogging I do try to stay within my range to get the best fat burning workout I can. It has SO many other features too that are added bonus, my favorite is the calories burned. It also logs all your workouts in there which is nice.

cartern1

I really want one but when I look at them online I just get confused - I'm just not sure which is the best one for me.

From everything i've read it must be Polar but I'm not sure if I should get one which links to a bike (for cadence, speed, distance etc) or just a more basic one.

Most of the cardio exercise I do is on my bike but I'm not really bother about the speed and distance because I know the distance I cycle and the speed doesn't interest me that much.

So i looked at the more basic ones and theres about 2-3 to choose from and I just can't make a decision.

Do they really give you that much of an edge with exercise ?

h3h8m3

I really want one but when I look at them online I just get confused - I'm just not sure which is the best one for me.

From everything i've read it must be Polar but I'm not sure if I should get one which links to a bike (for cadence, speed, distance etc) or just a more basic one.

Most of the cardio exercise I do is on my bike but I'm not really bother about the speed and distance because I know the distance I cycle and the speed doesn't interest me that much.

So i looked at the more basic ones and theres about 2-3 to choose from and I just can't make a decision.

Do they really give you that much of an edge with exercise ?

About half of my cardio is on my bike (the other half is on a treadmill). I sorta wish I'd gotten an HRM that included a GPS so I could see how far I'd gone, because while getting healthy and losing weight is my #1 goal, I would also like to be better able to bike with my really athletic friends when I'm done with this. That said... I have an iPhone and bought the app CycleMeter which gives me all the info about the ride (distance, duration, average speed, max speed), so between the HRM and that I have all the info I could want.

Regarding does it give you an edge... I really believe in the idea of logging all of your calories, both in AND out. I am not one of those folks who eats his exercise calories, but i was absolutely SHOCKED to see how far off MFP was on estimating my calorie burn. Like... twice as much.

percussionbeat

Yeah I'm thinking of getting one too...heard Polar makes really good ones, and the Cardio Trainer app on my phone can link up to it for calculations. How much was the F6 though? Not too sure what my budget should be.

I got mine on ebay for 28 bucks I think they run around 80-100 normally!

I've been looking out for the ones on eBay...thanks for the tip! But you got a really good deal...those on eBay now are pretty expensive. Will keep my hopes up, though!