How do heart rate monitors work?

iamthevieve

Do they tell you how many calories you burn or do you have to calculate it on your own? Any suggestions for a good one? I'm looking at buying one soon.

lovesweetlove

I think that if you get a good one you plug in your height, weight, gender, ect and it can help you figure out how many calories you burn based on your target heart rate versus your actual heart rate during exercise. For example, if you're heart rate is at 70% then you burn x amount of calories.

I have been doing a LOT of research and have heard good things about the Polar FT4 and FT7. I'm keeping my eye on a few on amazon. It sounds like the ones that come with the chest-component are a favorite for most because they have better accuracy.

Classalete

Even the cheaper ones should give you a caloric expenditure estimate. Basically, you program the watch according to your measurements (age,height,weight,gender, ect ect ect) and the chest strap monitors your heart-rate during exercise (or for however long you chose to wear it). From there the watch uses your heart rate signals to calculate how hard your body is working and gives you a readout.

A lot of people on this site really seem to ride the Polar train. Polar makes decent stuff that can fit a wide variety of applications (biking, cycling, running, ect.) However I've had some gripes with their products in the past

-I dislike how the watches don't display multiple readouts on the main screen...and cycling between them is some 5-6 awkward clicks away.

-I dislike how some of their GPS enabled watches require you to wear an additional piece of plastic to calculate speed, distance, cadence.

-I dislike their compatibility with Mac based operating systems.

-I dislike how you need to purchase a separate piece of equipment to upload your data to your computer.

However, polar HRM's can be had for a decent price if you shop around and if your not picky like I am...they'll probably suit you just fine.

If you want a more well rounded piece of equipment and you have a few extra dollars to spare...I'd look into Garmin HRM's

KaylaKilgore

http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Polar-FT4-Color-Purple/dp/B005M1P85O/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_2

I just got this one a couple days ago. I LOVE it. I just started 30DS, people normally consider it under circuit training general and get about 200 calories however I really burnt 300. It's also different from the machines I use. I know I haven't had it long, but I'd recommend it to ANYONE. It's a Polar FT4.

what923

Just for HR - I have a tried & true Polar model (very old- back from about 7 years ago- still works great). If you run, etc I also upgraded to a Garmin Forerunner 110 (found mine for about $200) with gps...I love it for tracking runs and it logs elevation & climbs too!

To maximize effectiveness of your HRM- try this post http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm
Seems to be a concise culmination of all the HR training I have read- plus gives you a calculator to help in setting zones.

PS I even wear mine when I do weight training to maximize my burn and make sure I'm not taking too long of a rest between sets. Helps burn more cals & fatigue the muscles better