heart rate monitors?

EmilyAnn89 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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

Brenna · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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

DawnOf1969 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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

T_R_A_V · March 2010

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

Excellent choice

TGIBriday83 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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

T_R_A_V · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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 · March 2010

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

heart rate monitors?

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