HR monitor?

rchupka87

I am thinking I need to get a Heart Rate Monitor. What does everyone have? I don't need a top of the line one, but I want one that really works. Any recommendations on brand, price, what not to get, etc?

FitnFabMichelle

I have a Polar FT60 and so far I'm really liking it. Got it on Amazon.com for $139.95. I like how it breaks down my heart rate into the 3 zones.

cattracy0829

Mine is not a heart rate monitor, but it's a Body Bugg that tracks steps taken, calories burned, activity time, etc. I love it. Check it out - http://www.bodybugg.com/. One of the best investments I have made for my health. Just wanted to give you another option!

dupaboo

I've been contemplating the same....Bodybugg has been recommended a lot to me, but I hear the Polar is great, too, so I'm interested int he feedback on this one.

jcpmoore

I just got mine and am starting with it this morning. I'll post a review after I use it this morning. I got the Pyle Sports model.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QP0R2E/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

I work in the water and need something waterproof.

sopranomff

I have the Polar FT40 - not as many features as the FT60 but it does sync with my computer so I can keep track of the data, and tells me whether I'm in fat-burning or fitness mode, etc., as well as counting calories, giving me an average HR for my workout, and other things, so it does plenty. It's waterproof, too. Polar is definitely the leader in the field, in my opinion.

Brittany3914

I just purchased the Polar FT4 from Amazon for $75 with free shipping! Comparing other websites and stores, I found Amazon to be the most inexpensive for a brand new HRM. I didn't need a lot of bells and whisles - mainly wanted something to track my calories accurately when I did group fitness classes and at-home workout DVDs. It came with a chest strap, which makes the numbers accurate. Also displays your lowest heart rate, highest heart rate, and when you were "in the zone."

PLUS... it was small, delicate, and pink/purple So I was sold!

INSANITY43

The Polar FT 7....may not be as "gadgety" as some of the others but I'm really only interested in HR, Calories burned and time spent. Just a little over $100 on heartratemonitorsusa.com

TinaLTaylor79

I have a Polar FT7 and love it..easy set up and works great!!!!! Its not as much as a Bodybugg. Whatever you get make sure you get the chest strap!!

mollyjackson82

I have a Timex one from amazon. I think it is around $50. I would just make sure it has a chest strap and find one with good reviews. also keep in mind the really cheap ones sometimes don't count calories.

nancycsel

I just got mine and am starting with it this morning. I'll post a review after I use it this morning. I got the Pyle Sports model.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QP0R2E/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

I work in the water and need something waterproof.

I ordered the exact one from Amazon too...haven't gotten it yet. I'll have to come back to read your review

tbskipp

I am thinking I need to get a Heart Rate Monitor. What does everyone have? I don't need a top of the line one, but I want one that really works. Any recommendations on brand, price, what not to get, etc?

^
^
Thank you for posting this. I put this same question out there yesterday to my friends. I was wondering if i should get a Fitbit or another type of HRM. SO many options out there!!
Would love recommendations from people who have them.
Thanks!

Mamafred

I have the Polar FT7 and love it. It has really made the difference for me. Got mine from Amazon and I think I paid around $80. It is worth every penny.

krislshoe

http://www.bodytronics.com/p/polar_heart_rate_monitors/POFT4?s=fg&gclid=CIjkp67U164CFQdN4AodJyGllQ


got the polar ft4 for $61.00...love it and its so simple to use plus a great price!

FittingIn

I found this article to be quite helpful. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

amymt10

is it better to get with or without the chest strap??

willafan

I have a Polar FT7- bought it a few months ago, one of my best purchases ever.

larkiedeek

I ordered an FT7 today after reading this and other reviews. Paid £64 for it delivered. I don't need all the extras you get with the other versions.

This one seemed like the biggest bang for my buck!

TiredOfBeingFAT130

I have the FT4 and I love it. It tells me exactly what I want to know-How many calories I burn during activity. It also tells you your highest HR and lowest HR during that activity. It has a chest strap and like previous posters have mentioned, make sure you get one with the chest strap! I was sooo skeptical because I was worried about discomfort since my main activity is Zumba and there is a lot of movement... but I just put it right with my bra and I can't even tell the difference between my chest strap/bra! It just feels like one thing.
Mine is pink and I love it.

willafan

is it better to get with or without the chest strap??

Absolutely go with the chest strap- anything other than that tends to be less accurate from the research I've done.

warmachinejt

I have a suunto t4d from amazon...cost me $162 bucks never had a problem with it
also i think the chest strap itself syncs with most machines so you don't even need to wear a watch sometimes if you're on machines

penroseg

I have the Polar RS300. I like it a lot. This is my second HRM and I will never go back to working out without one!

duetwithjosh

I have the Polar FT7. It's great! I also have a Fitbit for tracking my sleep and basic daily activity levels. (I only wear the HRM while working out, but wear my Fitbit pretty much 25/7.)

The chest strap is surprisingly comfortable... I thought I would be really bothered by it, but I barely notice it's on.

lindathome

I use the HR Monitor that's with my Garmin 310XT for all of my workouts (except strength training) - I won the Garmin at a post-race event, so I was lucky. However, I also have the BodyMedia FIT - and wouldn't go without it for anything. I've been wearing it just over a year now, and have lost 42 pounds since first getting it. www.bodymedia.com Just to clarify - BodyMedia is the manufacturer of the 'BodyBugg' device as well (same device) - it was just branded as BodyBugg for 24HR Fitness, and uses a different software/online application than the original BodyMedia devices. Typically you can get the BodyMedia devices (there are several different models) for anywhere from $99 to $200, depending on the features you want.

Good luck!

thepetiterunner

It depends on how you're going to use it.

If you're a runner, I suggest you go with a Garmin for its GPS capabilities as well. I have the Garmin Forerunner 110 and I love that thing to pieces. It's got the HRM and it also does GPS so I can take my runs anywhere.

I know others are quite fond of the Polar Brand out here. I suggest you check some out on Amazon and just look at the reviews and evaluate them by how you're going to be using them specifically.

kturn6420

I have the motiva mio and it works really well. I have the watch version of it. The only con I have found to it is that you have to take your heart rate several times during your workout since it doesn't spontaneously take it for you. Its not too bad, just kind of a pain.

duffydog1

I think polar are the best - the combination chest band and wrist strap. Buy it on ebay - there are loads of people selling them for less than half the price of new!

SeasideOasis

I've owned (3) Polars and they are great. Reason for (3) is the more advanced my working out became, the more I found a need for a different version (like GPS versions for my phone or one that stores A BILLION years worth of data).

kiminikimkim

I have the basic M2 Suunto (Finland design) $75. It's a very girly design, that is why I chose it. Easy to read screen. Huge numbers! You get your heartbeat in real time and calories burned as well. It has a comfortable heart monitor strap.

I tried the Garmin and the MIO before choosing Suunto

Garmin: the HRM strap was too bulky, loose fitting and not easy to put on. The watch was $149 and it didn't calculate the calories burned if you didn't get the foot pod $70 as well. I returned it.

MIO: $70 - the pros are that it has no HRM strap. The watch comes with 2 stainless steel buttons and it reads your pulse when you press two fingers on the face of the watch.

Cons: during physical activities the HRM couldn't read my pulse. It takes 8 seconds to get a pulse. It disrupted my workouts.

amackenzie0214

I've been using Polar now for about 12 years, on my third one which is currently the FT 60. I wouldn't get anything but the Polar myself but there are others options out there. Determine your budget and then look at the features of each modle. I like the FT60 because it has a feature that breaks down your heart rate into 3 zones low, med and high, so you can tell how much time you are really pushing yourself verses not going as hard. It also has a fit test feature that enables the watch to calculate calories based on your personal test results making it more accurate for your body. Plus if you workout at a gym or on any electronic stationary equipment the polar works with most of the equipment I've seen. If I'm on a treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper, etc. I can see my heart rate without having to look at my watch and you can use the heart rate mode of the equipment without holding onto those sensor handles (don't look at calories on the equipment it's always off I just look at my HR to know to increase or decrease effort) and look at my watch for calories at the end). Hope that helps.

Brittany3914

I am thinking I need to get a Heart Rate Monitor. What does everyone have? I don't need a top of the line one, but I want one that really works. Any recommendations on brand, price, what not to get, etc?

^
^
Thank you for posting this. I put this same question out there yesterday to my friends. I was wondering if i should get a Fitbit or another type of HRM. SO many options out there!!
Would love recommendations from people who have them.
Thanks!

A fitbit works well if you walk a lot - Seems like a glorified pedometer with a few extras. I believe (could be wrong) that it's best for all day calorie burn... whereas a HRM is best for pinpointing exactly how many calories you burn doing a particular activity, like a spin class or running a few miles.