HRM Recommendations

Sassybecky
Sassybecky Posts: 72
in Health and Weight Loss
I am researching HRMs and I wanted to get some recommendations from the MFP community. Which HRM do you have, and do you like it?

I've heard lots of people say they like the Polar brand but there are tons of different models of Polar HRMs and I don't know which one to get.

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I have a polar ft80. Works well and has a lot of features, but the watch has broken twice, and its not like I wear it constantly - I usually only wear an hrm when I am doing an exercise my fitbit doesn't capture or doing something out of the ordinary. Repaired under warranty and seems to be working fine, for now.

    The last time my ft80 broke, I bought a motoactv. So far, I like it WAY better. It has a ton of features, very flexible, and the receiver is android based, so it is more user friendly. If you have a smartphone, it pairs with it so you can receive calls and see texts too. And it is an mp3 player and gps.

    I'd recommend either, just depends on your style and budget. All of them - all brands - do a reasonably good job monitoring heart rate. Its the other features that are the difference nowdays.
  • srpm
    srpm Posts: 275 Member
    I've been wondering the same thing. I like the concept of things like the fitbit or the bodymidia things that give you your daily calories but I don't like the idea of having to pay for a monthly subscription for the bodymedia stuff and question how accurate the fitbit is since it doesn't track anything except your movement...I would love to hear what people have to say.
  • AzhureSnow
    AzhureSnow Posts: 289 Member
    I use and enjoy the Polar FT7. The battery is replaceable without having to send it off to Polar, and it holds about 30 days worth of workout history, weekly summaries, etc.
  • jon3s
    jon3s Posts: 2 Member
    Polar H7. It connects via bluetooth to your iphone 4s and is compatible with several fitness apps. It also connects to most HRM enabled gym equipment. Its great. I love it.
  • Jkc9059
    Jkc9059 Posts: 151 Member
    Love, Love Love, my polar Ft4
  • leo02098
    leo02098 Posts: 106 Member
    Bump
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    the iphone thing reminded me - I ALMOST bought one of these. http://www.zephyr-technology.com/consumer-hxm

    In this case, if you have a smartphone all you need is the chest strap and you can use whatever app you want. I don't have any first hand experience with it, but I have heard good things about the company in general. They got their start making bio sensors for the government I think. Plus they are based in the US which is a big plus for me after having to deal with polar's customer support twice.
  • Sassybecky
    Sassybecky Posts: 72
    Thanks for all the great ideas. @GauchoMark, I looked at the Zephyr you posted but it looks like it's only compatible with Android (and I have an iPhone). Boo.

    Anyway, thanks everyone!
  • srpm
    srpm Posts: 275 Member
    I just found one that works with your iPhone. Look up Digifit I haven't looked at reviews yet but when I saw there is one that works with Andriod I started poking around the ap store.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    Thanks for all the great ideas. @GauchoMark, I looked at the Zephyr you posted but it looks like it's only compatible with Android (and I have an iPhone). Boo.

    Anyway, thanks everyone!

    I was thinking it was more or less generic and worked with anything that had bluetooth. However, there are apparently ways around it if you wanted to, like using roqybt.

    However... the iPhone is easy to find accessories for!
    http://www.wahoofitness.com/Products/Wahoo-Fitness-Wahoo-Blue-HR-Heart-Rate-Strap-for-iPhone-4S.asp
  • themjsimpkins
    themjsimpkins Posts: 4 Member
    I have a Garmin but need to check the model. I used to have a Polar as well and liked it too. I wanted to have the GPS and heartrate monitor in one and my gym was running a great deal on the Garmin otherwise I would still have two separate devices. Just curious...is your fitbit not working out the way you had hoped?

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