Heart Rate Monitors

MizManda180
MizManda180 Posts: 68 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am going to purchase a heart rate monitor but I am not sure which to get. I looked into a fit bit, but that seems more like a pedometer, then my friend suggested getting a hrm with the chest strap because it is more accurate, but then I see a lot of hrm that are just the watch style without a chest strap. What brands or styles are the most accurate? I will be using it to measure the calories burned in my workouts, not something I will be wearing all day.

Thanks!
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Replies

  • TriShamelessly
    TriShamelessly Posts: 905 Member
    Wondering the same thing. Anyone love the one they have?
  • Yes2HealthyAriel
    Yes2HealthyAriel Posts: 453 Member
    I have a polar ft7. It comes with a chest strap. It is really easy to use. I only use it for my workouts to see how many calories I burned. I love it.
  • spicyginger2006
    spicyginger2006 Posts: 70 Member
    I just got one for christmas and the brand is called smarthealth. it is a watch style heart rate monitor and it tracks steps, calories, and distance as well. seems to work pretty good and is accurate when i have compared the calories burned on other websites. i wear it only when i work out, but i suppose you could wear it all day.
  • MizManda180
    MizManda180 Posts: 68 Member
    I have a polar ft7. It comes with a chest strap. It is really easy to use. I only use it for my workouts to see how many calories I burned. I love it.

    I believe this is the one my friend has and she loves it, so I am leaning towards this one.
  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    I'd be really interested to know about any HRM's that are good but not hugely expensive
  • rfsatar
    rfsatar Posts: 599 Member
    I have a polar ft7. It comes with a chest strap. It is really easy to use. I only use it for my workouts to see how many calories I burned. I love it.
    +1
  • sanvanhaaften
    sanvanhaaften Posts: 118
    I love my polar ft 60
  • joeint
    joeint Posts: 31
    I have a Scosche Rhythm HRM its Bluetooth it works with an iPhone or android, it has an arm band, I didn't like the chest strap. I upload the data to Digifit , Scosche also has a web site. I've had it about a month and like it a lot.
  • simplythefreakingbest
    simplythefreakingbest Posts: 109
    I got a karrimor ladies heart rate monitor it's rubbish doesn't pick up my heart beat at all from the chest strap so I really just have a stopwatch........... looking at the polar ft4 ?? simple and basic for me to use?? :) xx
  • Staceyp76
    Staceyp76 Posts: 83 Member
    I just got the polar ft4 and love it. It is simple to use and works great. I also have a fit bit I wear it all the time to seesaw much walk durning the day plus some days it gives me more calories burned which is great to see :).
  • melissann23
    melissann23 Posts: 39 Member
    i have a fitbit & wear it every day to encourage me to hit the goals i set for myself (steps/day, stairs, distance) and i have a polar ft4 for my workouts. love both of them for different reason & uses.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    my polar ft4 is with me every single time i work out. had it for a few months now. easy to use, comfortable to wear, easy to read, about 60 bucks. looked in to the ft7, but seemed to do more than i needed. determine what you want it to do, compare some brands and make an educated choice.

    good luck.
  • lorenzoinlr
    lorenzoinlr Posts: 338 Member
    For exercise, it's hard to beat the FT-4 for simplicity, inclusion of the things you'll end up using and price. Ebay has them now for $60.
  • sleepyjean88
    sleepyjean88 Posts: 180 Member
    I have the Polar FT4, it has the chest strap and I love it!! :D
  • lunglady
    lunglady Posts: 526 Member
    I love my Garmin. It's a GPS AND heart rate monitor. If you enjoy running or cycling consider something like this.
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 741 Member
    I had a Polar FT4 but upgraded it to the FT7 recently.

    There was nothing wrong with the FT4, in fact, it was fantastic but my needs changed and the FT7 suited them better.
  • yoga_mel
    yoga_mel Posts: 76 Member
    my polar ft4 is with me every single time i work out. had it for a few months now. easy to use, comfortable to wear, easy to read, about 60 bucks. looked in to the ft7, but seemed to do more than i needed. determine what you want it to do, compare some brands and make an educated choice.

    good luck.

    same :)
  • lorenzoinlr
    lorenzoinlr Posts: 338 Member
    I had a Polar FT4 but upgraded it to the FT7 recently.

    There was nothing wrong with the FT4, in fact, it was fantastic but my needs changed and the FT7 suited them better.

    I'm curious, what do you use on your FT7 that makes it an upgrade for you?
  • evdenapoli
    evdenapoli Posts: 164 Member
    Definetly go with the chest strap. I 1st tried with out and the readings were way off. After a Turbo Jam workout wit just the watch, It said I burned 97 calories. With the strap, 587 calories for the 40 min workout. Worth the investment if you are a person who needs accuracy. I bought the Timex Iron Man for women set. Love it !! Hope this helps!
  • LuckyCheryl
    LuckyCheryl Posts: 71 Member
    love my Polar F4
  • Sondrasr
    Sondrasr Posts: 49
    +2.

    No I really love mine.
  • hermione_ar
    hermione_ar Posts: 68 Member
    i have a fitbit & wear it every day to encourage me to hit the goals i set for myself (steps/day, stairs, distance) and i have a polar ft4 for my workouts. love both of them for different reason & uses.


    Same here! I wear my fitbit to keep track of my steps as I work on my feet all day (usually around 15,000 per day when working), then use my heart rate monitor with chest strap for swimming or cycling. I have a cheaper Bios HRM, works great, haven't had any problems with it.
  • claireb05
    claireb05 Posts: 11 Member
    I have the polar ft4 and it is easy to set up and use. You can also use it swimming which is a bonus!
  • MizManda180
    MizManda180 Posts: 68 Member
    Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to get the polar f4 :-)
  • woodsy0912
    woodsy0912 Posts: 323
    Great choice. I love my FT4. I have both the Fitbit and the FT4 and utilize both. I find the HRM to be more useful to my needs though. I'll still wear my fitbit around a couple of days a week to confirm my activity level.
  • shannonthegreek
    shannonthegreek Posts: 8
    polar ft4!!!! awesome!
  • japhilli3
    japhilli3 Posts: 6 Member
    I have a Polar FT60. I love it. It has a chest strap and is easy to use. Best thing -- unlike some of the other polar watches, you can change the battery yourself vs. having to mail it in when it dies...
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 741 Member
    I had a Polar FT4 but upgraded it to the FT7 recently.

    There was nothing wrong with the FT4, in fact, it was fantastic but my needs changed and the FT7 suited them better.

    I'm curious, what do you use on your FT7 that makes it an upgrade for you?

    The main thing is it tells you if you are improving fitness or burning fat.

    I also like that the FT7 came with a storage bag but this wasn't a factor in my decision, don't notice it till it had been delivered.
  • _namaste_
    _namaste_ Posts: 246
    I have a polar ft60 and it is amazing! It has a chest strap and I find it extremely accurate. :)
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    I bought the Polar FT7 recently and I love it. I haven't had too much time yet to nerd out and use all of its features so maybe someone who has can speak to that.

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