heart rate monitors?

EmilyAnn89

i want to get one, but i don't have a lot of extra money to spend. so i was wondering if there was a cheap one that does the job? or if i should splurge to get a good one?

jillybeanruns

I splurged on mine, because I saw it as a good investment...and I figured if I was going to spend $200+ on something, I was not going to allow myself to slack on my working out.

I guess it depends on what you want it for though? Are you looking for it to just show calories burned and heart-rate? Are you interested in running and calculating your speed/distance? Personal fitness coach?

JustAmy

I bought a Timex HRM with chest strap at amazon for $50 (free shipping) and love it!

Brenna

I too, am on a budget and I bought a 30 dollar HRM at Walmart. It worked one day and then gave me completely different results the next two days. It also wouldn't get me my heartrate when I was running.. so, needless to say it was NOT worth the 30 bucks.

Instead, I returned it and "splurged" on a Polar HRM. I have read all over this site that they are very dependable and worth the extra money. I just bought the Polar FT4 for 85.99 last night at the Sports Authority. I will be using it today and can get you an update. But I have read several other users on here use this very one and like it. It has a strap that you wear under your breasts with a transmitter that sends the information to the watch piece. I played with it last night and its easy to navigate around the watch functions and seems much more substantial than the cheapy one.

So far, I would recommend spending a bit more. Hope this helps!:flowerforyou:

DrBorkBork

I learned the hard way with HRMs that you get what you pay for. Cheaper = lower quality

DawnOf1969

Splurge. For sure.
I bought the Polar F6 ($99) and I love it. I bought my husband a cheaper one, an Omron brand for around $50 and it's just not consistent and doesn't show calories burned, etc. Doesn't communicate with the machines at the gym either. I was very disappointed.

EmilyAnn89

I splurged on mine, because I saw it as a good investment...and I figured if I was going to spend $200+ on something, I was not going to allow myself to slack on my working out.

I guess it depends on what you want it for though? Are you looking for it to just show calories burned and heart-rate? Are you interested in running and calculating your speed/distance? Personal fitness coach?

i mostly just want it to show my calories burned. i'm not much of a runner haha

kelli_panzera

I got a sportline with a chest strap at walmart for $48. It's accurate, has more features than I need, and communicates with the machines at the gym. I contacted them to find out how much a replacement strap is, and they'll send me one for $5. I'm a happy camper : ) side note: the watch is definitely not cute and stylish, LOL

jillybeanruns

I splurged on mine, because I saw it as a good investment...and I figured if I was going to spend $200+ on something, I was not going to allow myself to slack on my working out.

I guess it depends on what you want it for though? Are you looking for it to just show calories burned and heart-rate? Are you interested in running and calculating your speed/distance? Personal fitness coach?

i mostly just want it to show my calories burned. i'm not much of a runner haha

Then I would say go make a tiny splurge and go with a Polar. The F6/F7 or the FT4 would probably be ideal for you and around $100. You can find more information on Polar's product website: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/get_active/fitness_crosstraining/F6

cattiemac

I splurged and got this one by Timex - http://www.timex.ca/IRONMAN-RACE-TRAINER-Digital-Heart-Rate-Monitor-Midsize-SK5K218-P223C43.aspx?l=e. I absolutely love it!! It's easy to navigate and I find it very accurate. And, the watch is cute which is a plus because I can wear it for everyday wear if I'd like.

T_R_A_V

I wouldnt say I splurged, but I have a Polar RS100 and love it. Plus all of the machines at the gym I go to all sync up with Polar.

Forgot to add it costs $90

EmilyAnn89

thanks for all your advice! i think i'm going to go with the Polar FT4

T_R_A_V

thanks for all your advice! i think i'm going to go with the Polar FT4

Excellent choice

TGIBriday83

I have the Polar RS100 too. It works great for me. It''s really nice to have a more accurate idea of how many calories i'm burning when I work out, especially when I'm lifting weights. The syncing up with the heart rate monitors on the gym's cardio equipment was a nice added bonus. I was kind of freaked out at first cuz I didn't expect it and didn't know what was going on haha it's nice not to have to hold those stupid heart rate sensors.

jillybeanruns

Polar synching up with the machines is such a sweet feature!! I love my FT60!

T_R_A_V

I have the Polar RS100 too. It works great for me. It''s really nice to have a more accurate idea of how many calories i'm burning when I work out, especially when I'm lifting weights. The syncing up with the heart rate monitors on the gym's cardio equipment was a nice added bonus. I was kind of freaked out at first cuz I didn't expect it and didn't know what was going on haha it's nice not to have to hold those stupid heart rate sensors.

Yep....for weight lifting was the main reason I bought mine, but now I use it all the time.

Iceprincessk25

I learned the hard way with HRMs that you get what you pay for. Cheaper = lower quality

Not necessarily, I bought a reebok XT for $40 on ebay and it's been working like a dream for the past 2 years.

jillybeanruns

Just stumbled upon a sale on Polar while searching for my Foot Pod.

FT4 is $89.95 with free two-day shipping.

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/polar/All.html