heart rate monitors... chest or wrist?

Pakitalian

hey guys... was just wondering about everyone's opinions on hrms? Is a chest strap one more accurate? Or is a wrist monitor just as well? Not wanting to spend big bucks on one for now, will be asking for a nicer one for christmas... I am cruising around on Ebay for now... any suggestions? Around $40??? Thanks!

laughingdani

Try Amazon as well. They usually have decent sales on really good HRM's.

The ones with the chest strap are more accurate. The ones with just the wrist watch actually uses your pulse through your finger and is less accurate because it uses only an average.

I have a Polar FT4 and I love it!

rattatatnat

Most heart rate monitors are a watch worn with a chest strap.

I just a polar FT 7 and love it!

skierxjes

I got a $42 HRM from Amazon. No chest strap but I don't mind holding my 2 fingers on my watch for 2 seconds while it reads my HR. Works GREAT.

I usually have it read every minute or so, but that's because I want it to be as accurate as possible.

lep_623

I got mine today and I love it, I only paid $59 at Target and it is te chest strap. I have heard they are more accurate than the wrist ones.

MissMaryMac33

If you're going to get one without a chest strap -- don't even bother. The guesses on MFP are just as accurate as those -- even if you do plan to hold your finger on it. They just aren't very accurate.

Spend alittle more and get a good one with a chest strap --- Polar Ft4 or FT7 would probably do everything you need.

dad106

You need a chest strap for sure.. Esp if you want to know calories burned.. Otherwise you'll just be holding your fingers on the watch the entire time and thats not very productive.

Polar is the best brand for HRM's... I'd personally save up for an FT4 or FT7 instead of buying a cheap one now, and then having to spend double to get a proper one later.

jellyfishjen

Get one. Love mine. Chest strap which is not at all uncomfortable. I put off getting one for about 9 months. So happy I now have one and it actually gets me out exercising sometimes, as I wonder just how many calories doing 'x' would burn. I have the polar ft7. My husband has a $20 one we picked up from Aldi's. It came on special a week after I bought mine. :laugh: Just my luck.