Wrist HRM

homemomfreda

I am looking at purchasing a heart rate monitor, HRM, and do not want one that wraps around my chest. I heard there are monitors that work just as well for your wrist - I want one that counts calories you burn. Any suggestions or advice are welcome!

nszocinski

I have a Mio Drive Petite. Works great!

Crochetluvr

I have a combo wrist/strap. To use the wrist monitor, you have to put your finger on the dial so it can record your pulse. But when you take it off, it uses that reading to calculate your calories burned. You would have to keep your finger on it the entire time to get an accurate reading. That's why using the belt in combination with the wrist monitor is the most accurate.

wolfchild59

You're not going to get as accurate of a reading for the ones that are wristband only. In order to read your heart rate on those, you have to actually press your fingers to the diodes for it to get a reading.

This means that it's not a continual reading throughout your entire workout and it also means being able to get your fingers on the diodes and hold them in place long enough for it to get it's reading. I don't know about most, but I struggle getting the water from my bottle to actually go into my mouth instead of all over my face when I'm running, I certainly don't want to try to get a manual heart rate reading.

Honestly, the chest strap is completely unnoticeable. Thank goodness it's waterproof and meant to be washed after each use, because I've often found myself in the shower after a workout, not even remembering the chest strap until I start soap up and feel it on.

Plus, I use my heart rate to help me with my pacing when I run or to know if I should push harder during a non-run workout. If it drops to low, I see it instantly on my wristband and know to step it up.

Your only option (at least that I've found) for a wristband only that does constant monitoring is the Motoactv by Motorola. It's a wristband that tracks heart rate, has a GPS and an MP3 player in it. And the heart diodes are on the inside of the band to press against your wrist while you workout (meaning you have to wear it snugly in the proper place each time). But they run about $250, so it's definitely an investment.

bsharrah

What are you using it for? If you are just interested in checking, or even tracking, your pulse, either style is fine. If you are concerned about calories burned, then know that HRM's with a strap are the most accurate and even they are only about 75% accurate(when used properly), which is not accurate enough to bother logging or eating back what they tell you IMO, but I will try not to digress. Without the strap their accuracy drops to the point that I would not bother as you would just be throwing your money away.

homemomfreda

I want to know how many calories I am actually burning. This AM I used my iRunner phone application when I walked, a brisk walk, with my husband. I did the same exact route & did a walk/run later. I shaved 8 minutes off the time we did in the AM & it gave me 20 calories less. I was dripping sweat & know my heart rate was way higher than it was when I walked with my husband. It is frustrating! If I had a HRM I think it would be more accurate than iRunner.

bsharrah

You are going to want to use one with a strap but keep in mind you will never "know" what you are burning. They make calculated guesses, nothing more, using your heart rate, and the calculations assume you are preforming moderate to high cardio activity, such as running (they are much less accurate during activity such as walking). It will be a bit more accurate than an app that uses your location and speed, but remember it is all still just a calculated guess.

dad106

Any wrist only monitor is not going to be accurate for calories burned as others have stated.

I see you are a female, so if you can wear a bra then you can wear a chest strap.

I suggest looking into the Polar models of HRM's.. they have chest straps and are one of the most popular brands around here.