Heart Rate Monitors?

willot0722

I'd like to get a heart rate monitor for when I exercise, but I've never owned one, so I have a few questions.

1. Does it calculate calories burned? Or just your heart rate?
2. If it's just monitoring your heart rate, what do you do with that information?
3. Do they all have chest straps or do they get your heart rate from your wrist?
4. Are there any that tell you how far you've walked/biked? Or is that something completely different?

Any other pros - cons of using a HRM would be appreciated from experienced users! Thanks!

willot0722

bump

AHealthyMe1lbAtATime

I have a New Balance N4. So from my experience this is what I can tell you.....
It asks you when you first set it up for you height, weight, age. Maybe a couple other, can't remember. Off of this info if will calculate your heart rate, how many cals burned, how long you were in 'the zone" and how long you worked out. Mine has a chest strap. I was not excited at all for one with but it seemed like to see cals burned you had to buy one with. I actually barely know I have it on now. Every once in a while, my sports bra must push it down and it rubs funny, but mostly sits perfectly and don't even know it's there:) Mine does not tell miles.. not sure if more expensive ones do that?? I payed $69 at Target:)

BelMckenzie

I have a Polar FT4- it calculates your heart rate and calories burned. It has a chest strap- which I recommend. Mine doesn't tell me distance, but I didn't want it too. I use it to calculate how much I am burning to determine what I need to net in calories for my body. I love my HRM and I would be lost without it trying to loss weight so I highly recommend it. Mine was $68 through bodytronics.com.