Heart Rate Monitor Help Please

ChristinaBarnhouse

I have been reading up on the benfits of using a heart rate monitor and wanted to get some feedback from my MFP buddies. Is there a particular one you would recommend? I would love to hear your experiences with them and if you think it's a good investment.

Thanks and enjoy the weekend!!

eprissel

I really like my Polar FT7, its easy to use and gets the job done. I found mine on Amazon for like $70.00. They are normally over 100.00. I got he black and red one and actually wear it as a watch daily.

thepetiterunner

I absolutely love mine. It's a Garmin Forerunner 110

Benefits:
1. More accurate assessment of my calorie burn given my level of fitness, height, weight, etc.
2. GPS capabilities enable me to take my runs anywhere.
3. It's a totally guilt-free fitness related toy

I absolutely think these are a good investment, since I use mine 5-8 times a week, easily. It prevents you from overeating (if you are eating your exercise calories back) because MFP and most other estimations (i.e. equipment estimations) are usually WAY off.

dwightdegroff

I picked up the Timex T5H881 from Amazon for a little under $60 and started using it this week. It's not as advanced as some of the Polar HRMs, but it lets you input height and weight to give you a decent approximation of calories burned(doesn't take age/sex into account). So, this will give you a closer estimation of the calories burned during exercise so you know what you need to make up, etc. good luck!

BrianSharpe

If you're looking for just a heart rate monitor you can't go wrong with the Polar FT series (the Polar RS ones are good to, I just didn't like the placement of the start button, too easy to inadvertently start the timer but functionally fine) or the Timex models.

If you're running outdoors any of the Garmin Forerunner series will serve you well and help keep your distances honest.

shurleec

I have the FT7 and really like it!

krislshoe

POLAR FT4....AFFORDABLE AND SIMPLE TO USE!

montana_girl

POLAR FT4....AFFORDABLE AND SIMPLE TO USE!

This!

I bought mine about a week ago and love it! :happy:

tammihart

Polar FT4! I love mine, my husband bought it as Christmas gift. He got it at Target for around $75

SarahMorganP

I have the Polar FT7 and love it!

Michele7091

I really like my Polar FT7, its easy to use and gets the job done. I found mine on Amazon for like $70.00. They are normally over 100.00. I got he black and red one and actually wear it as a watch daily.

I have the same one. I LOVE it. I bought it from heartmonitorsusa.com and it was $75 and included free shipping. If I were you I would definitely invest in one with a chest strap. Polar is a great brand!

mrandolph69

I have a Polar FT7 and think it was one of the best investments I have made in exercise equipment. It allows me to make sure I am in the right HR zone and track my progress. I highly recommend an HRM.

trysha1231

POLAR FT4....AFFORDABLE AND SIMPLE TO USE!

This!

I bought mine about a week ago and love it! :happy:

Ditto!
I got mine this week and it was a purchase well made!

finchase

I really like my Polar FT7, its easy to use and gets the job done. I found mine on Amazon for like $70.00. They are normally over 100.00. I got he black and red one and actually wear it as a watch daily.

Same for me, including the place I purchased it and the price.

Just a warning: These things are evil! When I found out how much I was actually burning in calories compared to what I thought I was burning, I was appalled! I started pushing myself harder to get a better calorie burn with each workout. After I bought the USB attachment that allows me to sync my results directly to my PC and started tracking my weekly results on PolarPersonalTrainer.com, I started "competing" with myself to top my previous week's total each week. Now I'm stuck in an endless cycle where I constantly try to push myself beyond my previous limits.

Oh, and consequently, my cardiovascular fitness is better than it has ever been in my adult life and I've lost over 80 pounds just since I started using this last September. But don't say I didn't warn you!

ChristinaBarnhouse

Thanks for all the great advice!!

Bookers23

everyone on here seems to love the polar monitors. Personally I cannot stand them. the straps are very uncomfortable, the menus are blah and they look like a heart rate monitor (no style at all). I used a polar ft70 for a while, found the heart rate function to be pretty accurate but would frequently cut out. Nobody on here talks about the Suunto watches. I love these guys, awesome product and great customer service. I have had several of the lines and just love the ease of use and accuracy when working out. They also look stylish, dont mind wearing it on days I leave my Omega at home. Suunto also has a diving heritage so they are truly waterproof, I wear mine swimming. The strap is also very comfortable and will not slip down. I have been itching to get my hands on the newest watch that came out yesterday called the Ambit. It has pretty much everything bundled into one unit, including truly functional GPS. To each there own i guess, personally I like to have a combo of form and function.

spendsitwell

I got my Polar FT7 from bodytronics.com for right around 70 and you can get a discount code as well. I believe it is POPO or POPO10. Don’t quote me on that though. LOL I really love it. It is really easy to set up and really easy to us. It also syncs with most machines in the gym which I thought was cool.

I have no regrets getting it but if you are an outside runner I would recommend getting the Garmin Forerunner 110. If I had to do it again I would get this just for the simple fact that is tracks GPS as well. No other reason than that. With the Polar FT7 I use my phone and use endomondo.com to track my GPS. It works but it would be nicer to have it all in one. If you are using it for just inside use and workout DVDs I would totally go with the Polar FT7. For the price it is a great HRM.

moonsforeyes

anything polar! I have the Polar FT4 in the adorable pink color! ha, it is REALLY easy to use and is a lot more accurate than cardio equipment. It tells you how long you have been working and how many calories you burn. You wear a chest strap. It also tells you when you are in the zone which is mega useful. I got mine at a sporting goods store that starts with a D (it won't let me type the real name because apparently it is a bad word! haha) for around 80 dollars.

skadoosh33

Polar FT7. It does calories burned as well. But I don't think the FT4 does. So the FT7 is worth a few extra dollars.

jody664

Polar FT7. It does calories burned as well. But I don't think the FT4 does. So the FT7 is worth a few extra dollars.

I have the Polar FT4 and it does give calories burned.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Polar products.