HRM Suggestions?

Pirate1974

I am looking at purchasing a heart rate monitor. Any suggestions on ones that are reasonably priced and accurate?

Thanks!

briank83

you definitely want one with a chest strap so it's always monitoring unlike others where you have to touch your fingers to the watch to read your heart rate. i have a polar ft7 and love it. paid about $80 for it from amazon.

Jellyphant

For optimum calorie burn accuracy, get one with a chest strap. Also, a good one is not exactly what you can call cheap, but they are WELL worth it. My Polar FT4 hasn't let me down yet. Got her for 73.99 on heartratemonitorsusa.com.

nurse_christieyne

I have a Polar RS300X. I love it. Cannot imagine working out without it.

chelledenae

Yes - one with a chest strap is easiest & is accurate. Sporting goods stores has some for $80. I bought my HRM watch w/ chest strap at Target for $60 (it's geared for females). Hope this helps. I LOVE mine!

carpar1

Purchased the FT4 last week on Amazon for $64, happy with it so far.

sophjakesmom

I like my Polar FT4. chest strap, but that is ok, and about $80.

dad106

Read this link on HRM's:
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

I have the Polar FT7 and absolutely love it. Really comfortable and easy to use/set up. I got mine off of drugstore.com for 79.99 but I know that amazon has been having some good deals on Polars lately.

KyleGA

when I was looking for a HRM, this was some info I found (someone else put it together).

I chose HRM #1 below and have been quite happy with it thus far. I did read while researching each model that #1 below is intended for a man, as there is no way one can change the sex within that device unlike some of the others.

Heart-Rate Monitors top 5 models according to consumer reports Feb-2011. All are chest-strap models.
1. Timex Personal Trainer T5G971 - $50, score: 93%
2. Timex Zone Trainer T5J031 - $75, score: 92%
3. New Balance N5 - $72, score: 90%
4. Sportline Duo 1010 - $60, score: 88%
5. Omron HR-100C - $40, score: 88%
6. Acumen Ergo Plus - $70, score: 87%
7. Ekho E-15 - $72, score: 87%

TheGoktor

I recently got a Polar FT7 for my birthday, and it's great. Does everything I want it to. Definitely seems to be a good entry-level choice. If I have one criticism, it's that the 'beep' isn't very loud but it's not really a problem, since I can turn my playlist down if need be!

Purple_Orchid_87

i am based in the UK and got the lloyds pharmacy HRM with watch and chest strap for £20.00 + P&P

its accurate enough for me - i have a total of over 100lbs to lose, so if the HRM is 50kcals out, its no real biggy for me coz i dont eat my exercise kcals back, just make sure i'm over 1200 NET

maybe when i have less than 30lbs to lose ill get a more expensive one, but this one is working well for me, and im still losing weight so its doing it's job - i also make sure i set up the gym machines fully before using them and its very close to what they tell me so it cant be too far out - if i didnt have a HRM i'd use the gym machine figures anyway

dad106

Heart-Rate Monitors top 5 models according to consumer reports Feb-2011. All are chest-strap models.
1. Timex Personal Trainer T5G971 - $50, score: 93%
2. Timex Zone Trainer T5J031 - $75, score: 92%
3. New Balance N5 - $72, score: 90%
4. Sportline Duo 1010 - $60, score: 88%
5. Omron HR-100C - $40, score: 88%
6. Acumen Ergo Plus - $70, score: 87%
7. Ekho E-15 - $72, score: 87%

I think Consumer reports was crazy when they put this list together. I've learned a lot about HRM's from this site(see the link I posted earlier) and none of these HRM's have all the features needed for accurate calorie burn.

You're also right about the first HRM being for a male. I had that HRM at one time and wound up returning it because of that feature... it made my calorie burn go through the roof!

Pirate1974

Thank you all for the information. I will read through and look at the information and purchase one soon!