HRM's

suckerlove
suckerlove Posts: 198
in Fitness and Exercise
I can't really afford one but with Kmart's layaway I am going to get one. Kmart has 3 brands of varying prices. Polar, which I have heard good things about, Garmin, which I have heard nothing about and Sportline, which I have heard nothing about and it's inexpensiveness makes me apprehensive. Any advice?

Replies

  • dellashanks
    dellashanks Posts: 207 Member
    I have a polar ft4 and I love it. I really want an ft7 but I love the one I have.
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I've got a Polar FT7, still learning it. I don't have the uploading cable (looking for a deal on that). Was shopping for an FT4 but saw a deal on eBay for this one.
  • marywilsoncline
    marywilsoncline Posts: 301 Member
    Garmins are great, but polar is probubly the most popular brand.
  • heidimaggott78
    heidimaggott78 Posts: 203
    I have a Garmin FR60W . It came with a footpod which kinda acts like a pedometre. I love it.
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    I paid 28 bucks for my sportline and it's simple and cheap. It's nothing fancy but it works. I can't afford a fancy one either, nor do I even want one. I have better things to spend money on =)
  • kmm7309
    kmm7309 Posts: 802 Member
    I spent $20 on mine, some off brand thing, but it does its job and I'm happy with it. Sometimes a huge price doesn't mean the best benefit. You'll probably be just as happy staying closer to your price range. Besides (no offense to expensive HRM users) I imagine there are a million functions you'll never use on the one that costs the most. If you just want it to tell you your heart rate and your calories, you'll be just as satisfied with a cheap one like I was. Best investment I've made for my health!
  • oeagleo
    oeagleo Posts: 70 Member
    Well, I've had a Polar FT7, traded up to the FT60, and am looking at the FT80. I also have a Garmin Edge 705 Bike computer with the HRM, and the Cadence setup. I love it totally! Even shows the "grade" of the hill I have to huff and puff to get up. I love the Polars too, both, just the FT60, (and now, the FT80) have features that I think I want, but as far as information and data feedback, they can't be beat. the FT60 has it's "fitness test", which equates to your cardiovascular condition.

    I purchased mine because I was 64 years old, and grossly overweight, and didn't want to give myself a heart attack while trying to get healthy. The Polars have "zones" that you can stay in to insure that you're burning fat, but not killing yourself. Good info, if ya ask me.

    I'd say that if you're doing cardio, walking, calesthetics, or weights, go with the Polar, you can't go wrong, buy the best one you can afford, in the "FT" line. On the other hand, if you're main exercise will be walking, or bicycling, then I'd go with the Edge, as it gives a lot of information, and connects with a Garmin site that shows your route, grade, heartbeat, etc during your route.

    Confused?:huh:
  • ashsmile78
    ashsmile78 Posts: 3,528 Member
    I have a polar ft4. I like it but i was a little surprised that the calories on mfp are higher than my hrm. So i had to get used to that.
  • kmm7309
    kmm7309 Posts: 802 Member
    I have a polar ft4. I like it but i was a little surprised that the calories on mfp are higher than my hrm. So i had to get used to that.

    Definitely had this problem too-- by HUNDREDS of calories. One of my exercises (tennis singles) clocked in on mfp at an 800 calorie burn. In reality? 205 calories. I was bummed and pissed that they are so off!
  • SWilkins75
    SWilkins75 Posts: 277 Member
    I paid 28 bucks for my sportline and it's simple and cheap. It's nothing fancy but it works. I can't afford a fancy one either, nor do I even want one. I have better things to spend money on =)
    Wal-mart right? Pitch in $10 more for the $38 one. It's 3x better for only $10 more.
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    I have the Polar FT7, I just got it yesterday in the mail and I LOVE IT!
  • SWilkins75
    SWilkins75 Posts: 277 Member
    I have a polar ft4. I like it but i was a little surprised that the calories on mfp are higher than my hrm. So i had to get used to that.
    [/quote]
    WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY higher.
  • Littlegurl
    Littlegurl Posts: 172 Member
    So glad I read this thread. I have a fitbit and love it. However I want a HRM for spinning and regular cycling and strength training. Plus, the treadmills I use work with Polar and display heart rate on the dash of the treadmill. So, it looks like I will be purchasing a Polar.
  • melonclarinet
    melonclarinet Posts: 163 Member
    I bought a sportline and it did not work for me. It said my HR was always at 60. Tried a bunch of things to make it work, but gave up. I bought a Polar FT4 and I love it. I love that I can see my HR on the monitor of all of the cardio equipment at the gym too.
  • eatrainsmile
    eatrainsmile Posts: 220 Member
    One more polar user here. I do love it!
  • justaskforbrandy
    justaskforbrandy Posts: 90 Member
    I have this HRM (Polar FT4) and I LOVE it! the strap is so comfortable, the watch is cute and can be worn for every day use when not exercising, and it's pretty accurate when counting my cals.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AJGN5Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003AJGN5Y&linkCode=as2&tag=gettinhealthf-20
  • mariagabriella
    mariagabriella Posts: 267 Member
    I have a polar ft7. Definitely recommend a polar. I use it swimming as well and it works well.
  • lewis350
    lewis350 Posts: 53
    I also have te polar FT60, it is awesome!
  • kaytbaggs
    kaytbaggs Posts: 55 Member
    I have a sportsline, buying it I figured because it was a little more pricey it would be better. Not so much the case! It is so complicated, I just want something to track my time, steps, average heart rate and calories burned. I've heard great things about polar for the basics.
  • PhoenixRising7
    PhoenixRising7 Posts: 194 Member
    I have the Polar FT7, and I love it. I am so glad I got it because MFP was actually underestimating my calories burned. I was pleasantly surprised.
  • sneakysneaker
    sneakysneaker Posts: 16 Member
    I also have the Polar FT4, it's a great device. The strap is comfortable but depending on the bra you are wearing you may need to change how you wear it. It fits sitting under my regular bras but I need to tuck it underneath my sports bra which is a bit uncomfortable. The device saves a number of past results so you can see how you're doing over time but this can be a bit of a pain to navigate on the small watch face so I ususally write it on the calender. It gives you calories burned (which you can see change as you lose weight), duration of workout, min/max heartrate and your heartrate as you are working out. Have used mine for four months and it has been useful to see progress (heartrate recovery after workout) and to determine pace in my C25K program.
  • tammilk
    tammilk Posts: 86 Member
    I also have the Polar FT7 and i love it! Has just the right amount of features and not too complicated.

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