HRM Shopping - Need Advice

Back2Biz

I am in the market for a Heart Rate Monitor. I do NOT want to wear a strap around my chest. Would you please give me some recommendations for an inexpensive but good quality HRM? Thank you!!!

loriepaulin

Hi, well I was in the same boat as you where I didn't want to wear the chest strap, however, I found that the finger touch wrist HRM's after using mine for a year were not always accurate. The calorie counting wasn't working right unless I checked my Heart rate with my finger at certain intervals during my workout. I found this very hard to do and started looking for a HRM with a chest strap. I did some reading and researching and found out that the New Balance N4 has a very comfortable chest strap compared to the Polar strap. I have to say I was skeptical, but I ordered the New Balance one and it is so flexible and comfortable and I can't even feel that it is on me. This makes my workouts so easy. I can see from the wrist display my heartrate at all times and I don't have to stop during a workout to finger touch my HRM on my wrist to find out where I am at. That is just my experience. I know that Amazon sells the New Balance N4 for less then $40 and I really do love mine for Body Pump class, weights, running, Zumba, etc. I don't have to worry, I just put on the strap and GO!
I know you said you didn't want a strap and neither did I at first, but I felt compelled to tell you my situation and what I have experienced over the past year. Best of luck on whatever you decide to go with!!

AmyRhubarb

Hi, well I was in the same boat as you where I didn't want to wear the chest strap, however, I found that the finger touch wrist HRM's after using mine for a year were not always accurate. The calorie counting wasn't working right unless I checked my Heart rate with my finger at certain intervals during my workout. I found this very hard to do and started looking for a HRM with a chest strap. I did some reading and researching and found out that the New Balance N4 has a very comfortable chest strap compared to the Polar strap. I have to say I was skeptical, but I ordered the New Balance one and it is so flexible and comfortable and I can't even feel that it is on me. This makes my workouts so easy. I can see from the wrist display my heartrate at all times and I don't have to stop during a workout to finger touch my HRM on my wrist to find out where I am at. That is just my experience. I know that Amazon sells the New Balance N4 for less then $40 and I really do love mine for Body Pump class, weights, running, Zumba, etc. I don't have to worry, I just put on the strap and GO!
I know you said you didn't want a strap and neither did I at first, but I felt compelled to tell you my situation and what I have experienced over the past year. Best of luck on whatever you decide to go with!!

Wow, I couldn't have said it better! Same situation here, started with watch-only, hated it and bought a New Balance N4! I've had it for over a year and it works great. Definitely go with a chest strap - much more accurate and easier to use since you don't have to mess with taking a reading during your workout.

2pupsmama

I tried a non strap monitor and returned it less than a week later. (the sweatier I was the more inaccurate it became). I have a polar ft4 with chest strap and after the first wear, I didnt even notice it was there. I have in fact forgotten to take it off. Sorry I can't reccomend a non strap monitor.

Mokey41

The strap is no more uncomfortable than a bra band and is the part that provides accuracy. If you don't want to wear the strap I'd suggest just saving your money because the wrist only ones are only good as a watch. Just use MFP estimates and you'll be just as close.

meg7399

well I use the SportLine 960 and its a watch only. It DOES track calories, but I find it is ONLY accurate for running and walking I think the HRM and the distance work together to track my calories. I only say this because I wear it for running and it gives me calories similar to what I have been told for running...but I can barely break 100 calories after a 30 minute turbo jam which has always been higher calories than running IMO. I do have to finger touch it often but while running this is not hard.