HRM watch?

I'm curious about this, too.

Try not to go cheap because you want to try and get accurate readings. As far as the one you are looking into, I don't see how this one would be accurate considering it doesn't even use a chest strap transmitter at all but if its just to count calories, go for it. I have been using mine for about a week and I love love love my HRM. After doing numerous research and reading reviews, I found one that works for me. I bought a Polar HRM. The model I have does a fit test, has a preset weightloss option program and tells you how and records how you are progressing. You enter your info like sex, age, weight, height and it predetermines where your heart rate should be to target fat to help lose weight if that is what you seek; and to think all this time I thought as long as you run, you lose fat but that is NOT necessarily the case which is why I was searching for a HRM. I have no regrets buying my HRM and I'm sure you won't either.

From what I have read, the Mio does not monitor heart rate. It relies on you to take several readings during exercise and then calculates the average heart rate based on those readings. This can cause problems calculating average heart rate and actual calorie burn if your heart rate changes during exercise (think HIIT). I recently purchased the Polar FT-7 and couldn't be happier. I originally bought an HRM without a chest strap but found it difficult to get the watch to register a heart rate consistently...combine that with the calorie burn problem and I changed to the Polar. The chest strap really isn't bad...hardly notice when it is on, and it gives you a much more accurate reading of caloric burn. It also allows the data to be interpreted to give you a overview of cardiac fitness. Plus I seem to be much less likely to come tumbling off the equipment as I struggle to register my heart rate with both hands...jmho.

@jadams. I was originally going to buy the one you have but opt for this one. Aren't these little devices awesome and worth it? I love mine. I never knew you had to keep your heart rate within a certain zone to get results you want. All this time I was training wrong trying to push my heart to the limit before I got my HRM.

Why not one with chest strap it is most accurate and they are comfortable.

@Leholcomb. For around the same price, You might want to look at the Polar FT-7 which has a little bit more options.

I have the Polar ft4. I never knew about compromising the seal on the transmitter. Hmmm good to know though. I've had mine for almost two years and the strap on the watch completely broke off. Partly my fault I guess cause I wear it as an everyday watch as well as when I exercise with the chest strap. I've fixed it myself with pony tail holders and cable ties. Maybe one day I'll get a newer model Polar lol. But all in all I LOVE it. The only thing lately I'm finding is that I'll put the chest strap on and hit the button to get my heart rate and it says 223 which is outrageous cause I haven't even started working out yet. So I'll take it off and put it on again and then it goes back to normal readings. Anyone else have that issue. Maybe the transmitter needs a new battery.

That Polar ft60 sounds freaking amazing.

@michmich. I bought the Polar FT60
http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/improve_fitness/fitness_crosstraining/FT60

When that picture loads, check out this neat feature. Click on "smart coaching feature" tab then click "star training program" and watch video.

Thanks, Arsan, for the information! I'll check it out.

Try not to go cheap because you want to try and get accurate readings. As far as the one you are looking into, I don't see how this one would be accurate considering it doesn't even use a chest strap transmitter at all but if its just to count calories, go for it. I have been using mine for about a week and I love love love my HRM. After doing numerous research and reading reviews, I found one that works for me. I bought a Polar HRM. The model I have does a fit test, has a preset weight loss option program and tells you how and records how you are progressing. You enter your info like sex, age, weight, height and it predetermines where your heart rate should be to target fat to help lose weight if that is what you seek; and to think all this time I thought as long as you run, you lose fat but that is NOT necessarily the case which is why I was searching for a HRM. I have no regrets buying my HRM and I'm sure you won't either.

I also purchased a Polar HRM. I have the Polar FT7, and I absolutely LOVE it! The chest strap is really comfortable. I actually don't feel it at all. The best feature for me is knowing how many calories I burn during workouts. It is great because now I can better determine how many calories to take in based on the amount I am burning. The Polar HRM is very accurate, and I recommend anyone to get one. It is well worth it. Before I got my Polar HRM, I was using an online calculator to get an average of how many calories I was burning during a Zumba workout at home. The online calculator was gave me 600 calories burned for a high intense 45 minute workout based on my weight. when I used my HRM I only burned close to 400. It's the only way to get the most accurate calories burned.