HRM - Heart Rate Monitors

ashreynolds09

I use a Polar FT4, and love it. It's simple to use, and does the job that I want. I also like that you can use it in the pool.

agreed.

MandaKayMakesIt

Any of you that use the Polar FT4 in the pool...have you had to replace your battery yet? I heard from several people that once you replace the battery, it's no longer waterproof. Any truth to that?

AnninStPaul

I also got the Polar FT4 and also got it cheaper through Amazon. Haven't had it long, but loving it so far. I have heard, though, that once you get the battery replaced in the watch, that it's no longer water resistant.

ditto on the FT4; if you have Polar replace the battery, they will stand behind the 2 year guarantee on the overall device. They replace the sealing ring to maintain water resistance.

Moriarty_697

I started with a Polar FT7 and loved it. As I got more into running, I started to look at GPS devices. I now have a Garmin Forerunner 610. It's way more watch than I'll likely ever use but I love it. I can track my whole workout with that one device - heart rate, pace, location. Even better, I can set it up any way I want to do pretty much any type of training I'm likely to do.

Then I switch it to cycle mode to track my commute but that's more for fun. I just want to know how fast I get on the big hill (usually somewhere around 50kph or 30mph).

I love working out with an HRM. It gives me a good idea of my overall exertion and when I should ease off (or push a little harder). One other benefit is that it gives me a pretty good idea of my improving fitness. It felt great when I got to the point where I had to run to get my heart rate to where it used to go during a not so fast walk.

ColaSoBless

I have Polar FT7 I purchased it off of Amazon for about $65, can I tell you I Love it! When you guesstimate your calories burned and then compare them to the numbers on the Hrm, it's a total difference in the numbers. All the best in your choosing ')

Theresafinallygetsitright

I have a polar ft 80 that I think I will really like BUT when I had to send it in for exchange (first was lemon I think), I bought a sportsline from Walmart, the $50 model with chest strap for interim and I like it as well. The ft80 has more bells and whistles but for just monitoring heart rate and telling calories burned, the sportsline is fine and a bit less expensive.

heybales

Polar, Garmin using Firstbeat algorithms, or Suunto.

http://www.firstbeat.fi/consumers/heart-rate-monitors

For purpose of calorie burn estimates, those are the ones with most chance of accuracy, especially if you enter in your stats.

Cheaper Polar's may not allow enough entry changes for that. But as male, you luck out, the defaults are more accurate for us anyway.

For purposes of training, like zone alarms, audible, stat's, interval setup's, ect, go by price and features available.
Polar's you have to get expensive for those things. Garmin's start out more expensive but all include those things, Suunto's have some variety.

heybales

For all the women, you can get your Polar's setup to be more accurate, because the defaults leave much to be desired for your calorie burn estimates.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/459580-polar-hrm-calorie-burn-estimate-accuracy-study

jade9008

I use the Suunto M4 with a chest strap - I love it!

ladyluch99

I just ordered a Polar FT7 this weekend. $75 on http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/

^^This!

Just ordered mine as well. Excited about getting and using it.

chi18

Chi, There is a button you push to start the monitor. You can also pause it and restart if you take a break or go from one class to another. Normally it doesn't start counting calories burned until you reach you lower limits of activity for your heart rate.

Thank you, PAZlady! I appreciate it.