What store can I buy a HRM?

tusher2011
tusher2011 Posts: 201 Member
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
And which one should I get? I would rather just go to a store tomorrow and buy one rather than buy online. Any recommendations for stores and for models?

Stupid question but, does the HRM get plugged into whatever cardio machine you are on at the gym? Can someone give me a quick cliffs notes of how to use it? Thanks!!:)

Replies

  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I've seen a couple at Target, can't offer much more help than that though.
  • Sunshine_Girlie
    Sunshine_Girlie Posts: 618 Member
    A good HRM will include both a watch and a chest strap. The ones without the strap are known not to calculate right. It doesn't fit into any machine, but on your body. And as for a store, I have no idea. :-/
  • husker_gal
    husker_gal Posts: 462 Member
    I bought the a Polar Ft60 from amazon. LOVE it~
  • jmijaressf
    jmijaressf Posts: 215
    I get my HRMs from heartratemonitorsusa.com. Have a look at the Polar FT series. Most of them are under $100. Some of the Polar HRMs are compatible with the Precor machines at the gyms.
  • carrie145
    carrie145 Posts: 297
    Polar Ft4. I got mine at ****'s sporting good for $89.00. It has a watch and chest strap and I love it!!
  • BrentGetsFit
    BrentGetsFit Posts: 878 Member
    Sport's Authority should also have them.
  • carrie145
    carrie145 Posts: 297
    Polar Ft4. I got mine at ****'s sporting good for $89.00. It has a watch and chest strap and I love it!!

    Really? It blocked that word....the nickname for someone called Richard....rhymes with brick....jeez!!!
  • InStabilityKills
    InStabilityKills Posts: 97
    Most Best Buy stores are offering HRMs now
  • kellyscomeback
    kellyscomeback Posts: 1,369 Member
    Target, WalMart, Craigslist, Amazon, Ebay (where I got mine), Sports Authority, etc.
    Just make sure you get one with a chest strap, those are significantly more accurate than just the wrist watch. And some do "talk" to cardio machines but I wouldn't find that as a needed accessory.
  • kensky
    kensky Posts: 472 Member
    I got mine at D to the I to the CK's sporting good's store because I had a store credit so I saved 20 bucks. I am loving my FT7. so far.
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    Academy.
  • tusher2011
    tusher2011 Posts: 201 Member
    So it looks like the FT7 seems to be the most popular. Will have to check out Richard's Sporting Goods tomorrow...lol!
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    I get my HRMs from heartratemonitorsusa.com. Have a look at the Polar FT series. Most of them are under $100. Some of the Polar HRMs are compatible with the Precor machines at the gyms.

    That website has some really good prices and free shipping on a lot of items.

    If you want to go to a store and get one, try Academy Sports and Outdoors if you have one in your town. Otherwise, most specialty running or biking stores will probably carry them, but you might not have as much selection as those stores tend to be smaller.

    Definitely get one with a chest strap or you've just wasted your money. The strap goes on just under bra line (or just under the pecs for the guys). Make sure you have it programmed correctly before you use it...all of them should come with a manual to help with this.

    A lot of people on MFP have Polar's and really seem to like them. I personally have a Garmin FR60 and absolutely adore it. Good luck HRM shopping!
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    Target, WalMart, Craigslist, Amazon, Ebay (where I got mine), Sports Authority, etc.
    Just make sure you get one with a chest strap, those are significantly more accurate than just the wrist watch. And some do "talk" to cardio machines but I wouldn't find that as a needed accessory.

    DON'T get the one from Wal-Mart...most stores only carry Proform and that brand SUCKS! When it comes to HRM's, you get what you pay for.
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    REI - carries Polar and Garmin. If you're a co-op member you get 10% back in dividend.
  • tusher2011
    tusher2011 Posts: 201 Member
    SO if it goes right under your bra line, doesn't it interfere with if you 're wearing a sports bra? Would it go over the bra or under? Or should I attach it lower on my body and not exactly under my bra? Hope that makes sense...
  • Hopeinanguish
    Hopeinanguish Posts: 101 Member
    I also recommend the Polar FT7 :) You'll love it!
  • DietPep1978
    DietPep1978 Posts: 202
    If you are in Canada....mine was purchased at Sport Check. I have the Polar FT7 and I wear it almost constantly! I LOVE it. The machines at my gym pick up my heart rate, I don't have to plug anything in, it just picks it up when I am near it.
  • Kanzaki3
    Kanzaki3 Posts: 656 Member
    I bought my Polar FT7 at Academy.
  • Method2Madness
    Method2Madness Posts: 28
    An acutal sporting goods store is likely to have a better selection than other stores (i.e. "Richards" or Sports Authority over Target or Best Buy). I have a Polar RX300 and love it. It's a bit more expensive, but very nice. The FT7 is an excellent model if you want to keep costs down.

    Next up, the Polar strap is fabric and washable...plus the actual transmitter can be removed or replaced. This is a large benefit of Polar over other brands and is a major element to why they are the most popular. The downside to Polar is that some models do not have user-replaceable batteries. This means you eventually have to send the watch to a Polar servicer or take it to a watch repair store (which will void the warranty). The Polar FT7 is user changeable, further making it a good cost conscious choice.

    Your HRM transmitter will be picked up by most machines at the gym now...but most of those machines specifically mention Polar...so I don't know if another brand (e.g. Garmin or Timex) will be as compatible.

    While the desire to go out to a store and get a model immediately is undertandable, I'd recommend looking online at Amazon. The models I looked at were typically 20% cheaper online. I had to wait for a couple of days, but it was worth it to save $50.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I have Polar FT7 that I bought from drugstore.com. Before that I had a Timex that I bought at Best Buy.. only reason why I liked Best Buy is that when the TImex didn't work out, I could return it with no questions asked.

    That being said, I love my FT7. Very easy to use and set up and all the machines at my gym pick up the watches signal, which is really nice so I'm not looking down every two minutes trying to see my heart rate.
  • DrewD2011
    DrewD2011 Posts: 66 Member
    Hi,

    I have posted this message in the past, but I am a big fan of Polar (one of their Ambassadors) and they have a wonderful line of HRM's. I have been using their products for about a year and a half.

    I started with (and most recommend) the FT7 - about $90 to $105, but after 8 months, I graduated to the FT80, which gave me GPS, Fitness Tests (VO2max), a visual display of my HR, Strength Training detail (add you entire lifting routine into the watch) and a great online community that supports me through challenges (uploading through a Flow Link accessory). I use it for the elliptical, tennis and weight lifting.

    Online the FT80 lists at $349. I have seen it as low as $250 (with a Flow Link) at heartratemonitorusa.com.

    See the results:

    http://www.polar.fi/en/polar_community/polar_people/Andrew

    Polar also has a really great line of basic HR monitors. The FT4 (about $70 online) will count your calories and store the info. When you step up to the FT 7, FT40 FT60 & FT80 they can all upload results to polarpersonaltrainer.com...each adds a feature up the line and you should select a monitor that matches your lifestyle/budget.

    See their website:

    http://www.polar.fi/en/
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