Need Advice on Picking Heart Rate Monitor

jmelyan23

So, I've recently discovered that heart rate monitors are probably the best way to track the calories I'm actually burning during a workout. I have no idea where to start looking, what brands are better, and how to find one at a reasonable price that isn't a piece of junk.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

CakepopPirate

I need advice on the same thing! Thanks for posting...

What does the MFP community think? :happy:

shellee9tj

I have a Polar F7 and I really like it, it has the watch and the chest strap and runs around $100 depending on where you buy it maybe a little more. Got mine as a gift but it came from Sports Authority.

aimeeturner

I have a Polar FT7. I absolutely love love love it. Just bought my hubby one online for $75, brand new. Any of the Polar models are great.

jkinsella83

I use a Polar FT4 HRM and love it!

jcoco

I have a Polar F4 & love it. I will not leave home without it when exercising. What is also nice,if you go to a gym that has Life Fitness cardio machines, the cardio machine will read your Polar chest strap & display your heart rate. To anybody even thinking about buying one , do it!! It is the most accurate way to know if you are working in your target heart zone, which will help avoiding plateaus.

SallieBeige

bump
.... useful topic, thanks

pa_jorg

From what I've read, Polar is one of the most accurate brands. I got the FT4 on Amazon.com a few weeks ago and love it!

ShannanLaNae

i need one too!! i think polar it is....

lizziebeth1028

I really need to get one too! I bought a heart rate monitor/pedometer from CVS for $50...and it doesn't do want i need it to do. It monitors your heart rate and and counts your steps and calculates the calories steps and distance when walking but doesn't count the calories for anything else?!?!? Unless I'm a moron (which is possible) and I don't have it set up correctly. There's a particular work out that I do which is climbing outdoors stone steps at this park near me. It's a super challenge...125 steps that ascend 90 feet, all different heights and widths..people come from all over to see how many times you can go up and down. I wore my monitor to do this and it showed the calories burned based on how far I traveled and how fast I moved. So after going up and down those stairs 8 times it said I burned like 86 calories...NOT. i need a better HRM!!!!

Pronoiac

Polar is the standard! I have never had one from Polar I had any issues with.

windybaer

Tick

MellyPfromVT

I have a New Balance one from Target designed for women. It calculates everything I want it to. It was about $65.

mrmanmeat

So, I've recently discovered that heart rate monitors are probably the best way to track the calories I'm actually burning during a workout. I have no idea where to start looking, what brands are better, and how to find one at a reasonable price that isn't a piece of junk.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Polar FT7 or w/e it is. I got it on Amazon for like $60-70.

lizziebeth1028

Polar seems to be the go to then!!! I know what I'm asking for for my birthday next month:))

Dickersondiva

Excellent post! I was just wondering the same thing.

MoDear

I just bought a Polar FT60 with gps and so far I love it! It was really easy to set up and has a large display. This model actually has different training programs you can choose from and then it creates weekly training program for you and allows you to see where you are in completing the goals it has set. It's currently on sale at Best Buy for $129.99 +tax (original price - $329 - you save $200 bucks!!!). It comes with a GPS arm band that tracks your distance, but I haven't used it for anything except inside workouts so far.

For a few extra bucks you get GPS and completely customized workout programs (tailored to your fitness level, your previous workouts, weight etc). GREAT DEAL!!

Dickersondiva

I just bought a Polar FT60 with gps and so far I love it! It was really easy to set up and has a large display. This model actually has different training programs you can choose from and then it creates weekly training program for you and allows you to see where you are in completing the goals it has set. It's currently on sale at Best Buy for $129.99 +tax (original price - $329 - you save $200 bucks!!!). It comes with a GPS arm band that tracks your distance, but I haven't used it for anything except inside workouts so far.

For a few extra bucks you get GPS and completely customized workout programs (tailored to your fitness level, your previous workouts, weight etc). GREAT DEAL!!

That one sounds lovely. Does it come in pink or purple? Ahhhh...I'm such a girl...lol....thanks, MoDear!

Leopardliz

I was wondering the same thing! Polar seems great but whats the difference between each one? I started to run but i want it to calculate other activity as well, does this make a difference on the model? Confusing..

Azdak

So, I've recently discovered that heart rate monitors are probably the best way to track the calories I'm actually burning during a workout. I have no idea where to start looking, what brands are better, and how to find one at a reasonable price that isn't a piece of junk.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Unless you are going to use it to monitor your heart rate and the quality of your workouts, I would save your money.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/why-i-don-t-count-exercise-calories-114873

kyunda

I have the Polar FT4 and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! I got it off of amazon.com for $63. I like it because i can pause one workout and continue either with that workout or another. I normally end up with 2-3 workout a day and it allows you to see your training right from the watch!

windybaer

Rap