Heart rate monitors

sjanney007
sjanney007 Posts: 42
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone have an opinion on the best (and most comfortable) heart rate monitor to purchase?
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Replies

  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    I love my Polar FT7... it has been a great tool!

    Look around and see what you can get for your budget. Read reviews online. Ensure you get one with a chest strap and not just the watch as the HRM with chest straps are much more accurate than just the watch ones. Also, keep in mind none will be accurate for weight lifting or low intensity exercise. Also make sure you get one where you can input your sex, age, height and weight to get a count that is as accurate as possible.
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    Thanks for the info...will definitely take the advice :)
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    I have a Polar FT4, but I really want the FT7 now. :)

    I had a Timex, but it was waaaaay off. After doing some research, I read a bunch of reviews that showed Timex has issues with calculating stats for females. It said I was burning 1500 calories per hour while walking. Um, no. ;) With my Polar, it's more like 350 - 400, which seems much more accurate given my weight and various online calculators I've used.
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    Thanks :) Looks like I'll have to research the Polar FT7.
  • shanematthews2
    shanematthews2 Posts: 40 Member
    My Polar FT7 is the BEST investment I have ever made. I love the thing! It has changed how I workout and how hard I push myself. I TOTALLY recommend it!
  • djshari
    djshari Posts: 513 Member
    good info thanks! I am looking as well because I am hoping to purchase one with my tax refund. I see it does not track sleep like I have seen other models like the fitbit do, do you all just use the one HRM or more than one?
  • droneofvelvet
    droneofvelvet Posts: 290 Member
    I have the polar FT40 in white and pink and I do believe it is a very motivating gadget. It keeps track of your previous workouts so you can really see your progress in duration and intensity. Seeing how little or how many calories are burned during certain activities really puts things into perspective. None of the pre-set calculations online come close to how little or how much I actually burn, and it always changes depending on how I feel during the day, what time of day, how tired I am and many other factors. I would highly suggest one of these watches if you are a calorie counter. If counting calories already bothers you somewhat then one of these watches might do the same.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    My Polar FT7 is the BEST investment I have ever made. I love the thing! It has changed how I workout and how hard I push myself. I TOTALLY recommend it!

    I agree!!! After getting my FT7 and seeing how many calories I was burning, what my HR was etc it made me push harder... go longer... try to burn more.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I have the FT7 but the FT4 would work just as well I think. You'll save a little bit buying the FT4. I liked the FT7 color better or I would have done the same.

    http://fitnesselectronicsblog.com/polar-ft1-ft2-ft4-ft7-heart-rate-monitors-review/
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    Thanks everyone for the great reviews.....I want the truest numbers I can get. I can't see really getting an accurate count without one. Excited to get one!
  • zoukeira
    zoukeira Posts: 313 Member
    I love my FT7 too, it's my favourite gadget I use it EVERY day usually several times - couldn't be without it! Only trouble is the female ones come with a strap that fits size m-xxl and it's a tad too big *sigh* ohhh the troubles with getting smaller!
  • LauraW1219
    LauraW1219 Posts: 71 Member
    I got my Polar FT4 today. It was at sears on clearance. They also have the ft7 on clearance. The Polar FT4 was so easy to use I can work it myself. I had no idea how much more I needed to push myself. It was so much fun that I might be over my scale addiction and sleep with my FT4 on. lol
  • Jermski
    Jermski Posts: 13 Member
    I'm using a Garmin FR70. Works great, plus I can add accessories to it for runs or bike rides!
  • donistenzel
    donistenzel Posts: 17 Member
    Replying to this so I can reference it when I'm ready to make my purchase!! Thanks for the info everyone!!:smile:
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    I always forget about Sears when it comes to these kinds of products :) Gonna check it out !
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    'zookeria' ... I hope to have that problem soon! haha!
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    Polar Ft4 here. I love it, have used it/abused it almost daily for a year and the batteries are still working.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    good info thanks! I am looking as well because I am hoping to purchase one with my tax refund. I see it does not track sleep like I have seen other models like the fitbit do, do you all just use the one HRM or more than one?

    A HRM is used for dedicated exercise only. You can't wear it all the time like a FitBit. They only work with a significantly elevated HR.
  • Fitness4Paul
    Fitness4Paul Posts: 166 Member
    I use the suunto t3d. I can upload my workout data to the web which helps me see improvements and over all effectiveness of each workout. It's cool stuff if you're into that kind of info. It's been a great tool for me. Been using it almost a year.
  • Fitness4Paul
    Fitness4Paul Posts: 166 Member
    good info thanks! I am looking as well because I am hoping to purchase one with my tax refund. I see it does not track sleep like I have seen other models like the fitbit do, do you all just use the one HRM or more than one?

    A HRM is used for dedicated exercise only. You can't wear it all the time like a FitBit. They only work with a significantly elevated HR.

    BTW I wear a fitbit all day and love it. Keeps me moving throughout the day. Another cool device.
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    There is a new HRM that has just come on the market - and it claims to be the first continual HRM WITHOUT the chest strap....

    It is quite a bit more expensive than the Polars - but oh boy - not needing the strap will be a huge step forward, so I am actually seriously considering buying one....It is called the Mio Alpha

    http://shop.alphaheartrate.com/
  • hdlb
    hdlb Posts: 333 Member
    I have a Polar FT....either 4 or 7, I really don't remember. But its great! Its comfortable, and I've never had an issue with it.
  • vhawkshaw
    vhawkshaw Posts: 4 Member
    I've used an epulse2 monitor for the last couple years. Works great for me because it shows your heart rate continuously and goes on your forearm--no chest strap (which I tried prior to this and didn't like the inconvenience of a chest strap).

    Other than a battery replacement (and it takes quite an odd battery), the epulse2 has performed great for me. More on it at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/ePulse2-Strapless-Monitor-Calorie-Counter/dp/B004DKSLXQ
  • LosingMandy
    LosingMandy Posts: 41 Member
    I have the FT4 in pink and I love it. Combining it with MFP I have really been able to do the "maths" of weightloss, and have had much more success.

    I think the FT4 is really good if you just want a calorie counter, if you want any of the bells or whistles I have heard the 7 is good.
  • kar2083
    kar2083 Posts: 68 Member
    I have the FT4. It definitely changed the way I worked out and made me realize when I needed to push harder. I bought mine on ebay. I completely forgot about Sears. It was a great investment.
  • RepsnSets
    RepsnSets Posts: 805 Member
    Great subject. Will use for future reference as well. Especially while weight lifting, always wondered how much I am burning
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Isn't the FT7 the one where you can do a couple of "sync" tests that will allow it to give you even better accuracy? I can't remember specifics, something about wearing it while laying down resting and then it has you do a couple other things.
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Oh, and the FT7 has this: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/smart_coaching

    I would love that! I think I'll save up for one. I just wish the FT7 came in the same colors as the FT4. I'm kind of loving the pink. :)
  • sjanney007
    sjanney007 Posts: 42
    Is a forearm strap as accurate as a chest strap?
  • kinmad4it
    kinmad4it Posts: 185 Member
    Great subject. Will use for future reference as well. Especially while weight lifting, always wondered how much I am burning

    I'm no expert but have been reading up a lot of about HRM's as I really like the idea of one. The one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that they are no use for tracking calories burned whilst lifting weights. Excellent for cardio exercises like running, cycling etc but they wont give you an accurate count for when you're weight training.

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