Heart Rate Monitor

mwiechel

Do you use one? What kind? My b-day is coming up and I'd like to get one. I'm not looking for anything fancy and would like to keep the cost around $100ish. I think I'd prefer one without a chest strap. Thanks for the help!

CyberEd312

I prefer Polar brand and am currently using the FT60 model (with chest strap) it allows you to set V02 Max manually (or auto) for a little better accuracy...... Any of the other Polar ones though would work great.... Got mine off http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/ft60.html You can sometimes find 5 or 10% off coupons for this site as well.... Best of Luck

shadow2soul

I have a Pyle Sports HRM Watch PHRM38 (has chest strap). It is a very simple HRM and doesn't have a lot of the features of the more expensive HRM's. I paid $26 for it.

Features:
- Time/Date
- Present HR
- Max HR
- Avg HR
- Target Zone Setting
- 1/100 sec stopwatch
- Calories Burnt
- Daily Alarm
- User Setting (age, weight, vo2 max)
- Led backlight
- Energy Saving Function
- Display Off
- Water Resistant 33 feet/10 meters/1 ATM
- ability to change battery in chest strap and watch

Polar brand is highly recommended by people on MFP.

Leeann1979

I had the Polar FT4 for over 2 years, and I loved it. It has the chest strap. But the last little while it kept losing the heart rate so it was time for a new one. My boyfriend got me the Polar FT7 which is a step up from the FT4. I haven't used it yet, as I just got it yesterday.
My boyfriend paid $170 for the new one, but that's here in Canada. It was $105 on Target.com but he didn't want to wait for the shipping.
I bought a cheap one a few years ago without the strap, and it sucked. I don't really trust the ones without the strap, but that's just my opinion. Polar FT1 is around $60 but it doesn't give calories burned, just heart rate.

Cheeky_0102

I am wondering the same thing... do I really need one? I'm within 10 lbs of my goal weight (although my after pictures are starting to feel like other peoples' before pictures)

When I go to the gym and my goal ISN'T to lose weight, do I need one? sorry if this is a thread jack, I'm just trying to get a better idea myself as to what and if

3dogsrunning

Check out this topic
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

You may also want to consider that the chest strap type is recommended for better accuracy.