What HRM Should I Be Looking For?

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Which heart rate monitor would you consider more accurate? The Garmin FR70 Fitness Watch With Heart-Rate Monitor or Polar FT7 Women’s Heart Rate Monitor? I'm looking for one that is less than 150$ but accurate enough to pass.

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
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    Either one would be a good choice.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
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    neither would be a better choice. getting in shape has nothing to do with your heart rate and chasing calories burned is a great way to slow your progress to a crawl.

    Just work out.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
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    Doesn't really matter which, as you'll be putting it back on eBay soon after trying it out a few times anyway. Nothing a HRM can do that a cheap Casio can't.
  • Codefox
    Codefox Posts: 308 Member
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    Both are Polar so they'll both be great HRMs. Nothing wrong with getting an HRM...Polar has great training tools and if nothing else, its another way to track your progres.
  • EmLikesToWin
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    I love my FT7! I can't compare it to anything else though. Having the ability to track your calories in and out gives me control and knowledge. I couldn't recommend a HR monitor more after the past couple of months and my weight loss thus far. I you want one, get one - don't listen to the naysayers!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    I really like my FT7. Find it a great aid for cardio training.
    No idea why people are so anti HRMs - CV fitness is a crucial part of health for me.
  • 75in2013
    75in2013 Posts: 361 Member
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    Both are really good/precise. I would base my decision on what is important for you: like offline training tools, data transfer, design etc.

    HRM can be an extremly valuable tool! When I started cycling I plateaued for a long time. I just couldn't get any faster. Until I bought me my first HRM and found out that I always trained wayyy too hard. It was much easier to pace myself with a HRM. Buying a HRM monitor is a no-brainer imo.

    EDIT: that was in 1994 btw. I have had many many hrm's since then.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
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    I really like my FT7. Find it a great aid for cardio training.
    No idea why people are so anti HRMs - CV fitness is a crucial part of health for me.

    Not anti as such, just think they are an expensive toy when a cheap Casio digital will give you the same information. The actually going out and doing something is more important, but if you have money to burn - nice toy!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    I really like my FT7. Find it a great aid for cardio training.
    No idea why people are so anti HRMs - CV fitness is a crucial part of health for me.

    Not anti as such, just think they are an expensive toy when a cheap Casio digital will give you the same information. The actually going out and doing something is more important, but if you have money to burn - nice toy!

    This is my third HRM, first cheap one was useless, second was a Polar FT1 and was accurate but poor to use and worse to change any settings (let alone battery!). FT7 is perfect for me and not very expensive for something I use as a watch 7 days a week and as an HRM 5 times a week. Agree the value/cost thing is personal choice but I find it both a useful training aid and motivational.