Heart Rate Monitors?

grocha2010

Found this one (Polar FT4) on Bodytronics.com for $61.88, with free shipping. Thanks everyone, this is the one that I am going to go with. I looked at some of the more "basic" Polar brands but they didn't have the calorie counter like this one!

kenlad64

I have a Polar FT40 and it is great. A few more bells and whistles than a 4 or a 7. Look at www.polarusa.com they have a comparison chart. Determine what you do with it (what kind of exercising) before you get one. I think Polar is the way to go..... Good Luck! .... mine was about $110 from Amazon

fasttrack27

The models I've seen around here require you to hold buttons in to take HR (no chest strap). Wont track calories burned that way. My wife tried one and returned it. Buttons were hard to operate - it was basically useless. Maybe they have other models, but not sure I'd trust them. Save up and get a Polar, you wont regret it.

tistal

I have $20 in Amazon credit. This might be my next purchase!

NeverGivesUp

I have a ventus and it not only is a HRM but a gps as well as many other things. My husband won it so I cannot speak about it's price. The jury is still out for me on whether I like it though.

hello77kitty

Bump, I am seriously wanting an ft4..

pdworkman

Jawbone Up is not a HRM. It is a pedometer, like the FitBit. And last I heard, they had all been recalled due to battery issues.

Pam

I'm shopping, too... any thoughts on the Jawbone Up or the Nike Fuelband? My trainer recommended the Body Bugg, but I don't like the price tag on that one at ALL.

espence30

Polar FT60

jnbud2002

I've been wanting one too! So thanks for posting the question and thanks to all for the input!

tuffytuffy1

Is $125.00 a reasonable price for the FT4?

NO! I got mine for $63 on Amazon with free shipping.

CenlaCoach

I had a polar and it was great had to get a new one cause the battery died so i got a different brand thats was free from a program at work and it sucks. Pay the money and get a polar one. The polar ones are not too badly priced.

Why didnt you just change the battery. I know they recommend that you send them in but you can change them yourself.

CenlaCoach

I have had the Polar FT7 for almost 2 years. I love it. I much prefer the wearlink chest belt over any other ones I have seen. And for the ladies you can get a sports bra that the transmitter attaches to.

cescts

I just got the women's FT4 yesterday on Amazon for $57.95 (brown) with no tax and free shipping. I had the RS100, but the watch broke and was not under warranty anymore, so it would cost me more to get fixed than this new FT4. Hope I like it!

jayla513

I have used a heart rate monitor for a couple years now in the gym and out. After a lot of research, I landed on the Polar FT60 "Training Computer". It's a great device that is easy to use and helps you set goals for how much and how intense your workouts should be for the week.

I haven't really come across and incredibly accurate calorie estimator, though. I tried several and read lots of reviews and they all seem to over estimate how much you burn. I ended up finding a local place to do a fitness workup on me to determine my VO2 index, resting heart rate, and accurate calories burned in different heart rate zones and I use that to calculate my calories burned accurately, and to set my goal for calorie intake as well. This is the only way to know you have a real, true number for YOUR body. The testing consists of breathing into a mask that tracks your CO2 levels while resting, and then another while running on a treadmill at different levels of intensity. The last test was a full body water tank dunk to get the exact measure of lean muscle mass vs. fat/other stuff composing my body. It all cost about $120, but was WELL worth it!

Back to your question. I've used a Timex, Polar and the Nike+ (running only) systems for estimating calories. For all around general exercise, Polar is excellent. Nike+ is close, too. Not sure about the fuel band, since it's so new. Interested to see where you land!

pdworkman

I love my fitbit! But it is not a heart rate monitor. It is more of a pumped-up pedometer.

Pam

Has anyone used Fitbit? Thoughts on Bodybugg? It looks like the consensus is Polar..

Kelly_1981

I have the Polar FT7 and love it. Check out heartratemonitor.com for research if you want.

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jell1997

I have a Polar RS400 that I have used every day for 4 years. You need one that will use your resting HR versus just your age, height, weight.