Heart Rate Monitors...

Bysshe

To chest strap, or not? That is the question.

I personally like the idea of not having one. But I've heard from quite a few people that you want one.

For all the heart rate monitor users, what do you like?

AmyRhubarb

Chest strap for sure - I have a New Balance N4 & love it.

kmorris246

Get a chest strap- this is the most accurate way to calculate your burn! Seriously, get a chest strap!

Bysshe

They look very uncomfortable... and I'm afraid they will irritate my skin, which I already have issues with.
Does anyone NOT have the chest strap?

busyPK

Once I put mine on, I can't even feel it! Not uncomfy at all. I have a Polar FT4.

AmyRhubarb

I started with just a watch, and it only reads your heart rate when you put two fingers on the edges of the face for a few seconds. It's not a constant reading of your heart rate as it goes up and down during your workout, so I would always try to get a reading as much as possible - which interrupts the workout, especially if it doesn't read right away (which happened a lot), and I'd end up stopping just to take a reading.

I upgraded to a model with a chest strap, and I like it so much better. I honestly don't even know I have the strap on, but I don't have problems with skin irritation either - that might be an issue for you.

Carrot1971

I agree...I have a Polar FT4 too and once its on I don't even know its there. Not uncomfortable at all.

Bysshe

ok, just ordered a polar ft4 because that seems to be the concensus. Thanks everyone!