heart rate monitors?

EmerLiverpool · June 2013

Hello! I've read quite a bit that some of you wear a heart rate monitor during exercise so you can accurately calculate how many calories you are burning while exercising. I am starting to feel like I want to get one, but some advice if you can?

1) if you have one, do you find it is a useful tool, would you recommend?
2) What brand/type do you have? the only ones I can find seem to be really expensive! can someone tell me one to get that won't break the bank? (I live in england if that makes a difference in terms of brands etc)

thanks so much in advance!

mortman1 · June 2013

I use a Polar H7 Bluetooth Monitor (http://www.polar.com/us-en/products/accessories/Polar_WearLink_transmitter_with_Bluetooth). I pair it with my iPhone, and use it, along with runkeeper, or the polar app to monitor things. I also like that it will work simultaneously with the iPhone and my polar watch (RS-400), which both give me a bit of separate but useful information.

I use it mostly to gauge the effectiveness of my workouts in general. As I am trying to lose weight, and know that burning calories comes with an effective workout. The calorie numbers are helpful, after, but I like the real-time nature of it to keep me pushing myself.

I have tried a few other brands, including Scoche, and Timex, and while they worked, they both either didn't monitor my rate consistenly (Scoche used an infared sensor), or lost the connection to the monitoring device regularly (the Timex), thereby either causing me to stop my workout to fiddle with it to get it working, or worse, losing the data without knowing about it.

I swear by polar products, but they are a bit pricey.

Hope this is helpful.

_Waffle_ · June 2013

KlaJWolf · June 2013

I use a Polar FT4. It is my first one and nothing super fancy. It's pretty basic, however, I didn't want to spend a crap ton of money on something if I wasn't going to be using it everyday.

I am actually using it right now and I enjoy being able to see where my heartrate is at during my daily routine. It's nice KNOWING how many calories i've burned, instead of using a general estimate.

Mine was only about $60. Well worth it.

Pangea250 · June 2013

Just in case you weren't aware of this feature, when you go to the message boards section, there is a button called search and you can type in a keyword (ex: HRM or heart rate monitor) and you can see the threads that have already been created on the topic. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1010151-recommendations-on-heart-rate-monitor?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-15468799

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1007320-best-heart-rate-monitor?hl=heart+rate+monitor&page=2#posts-15429564

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1007283-heart-rate-monitors?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-15420795

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/996412-heart-rate-monitor?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-15297685

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1010099-hrm-for-strength-training?hl=hrm#posts-15467293

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1008550-hrm-polar-ft80?hl=hrm#posts-15442532

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1005976-what-hrm-does-everyone-use?hl=hrm#posts-15402839

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1004952-a-hrm-on-a-budget?hl=hrm#posts-15386065

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1003958-runner-with-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-15370400

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/984574-simple-hrm-cal-burn-monitor?hl=hrm#posts-15046335

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/984362-question-about-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-15042935

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/984231-how-accurate-is-my-polar-ft4-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-15042884

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/984362-question-about-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-15042935

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/964867-which-heart-rate-monitor-do-i-buy?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-14722643

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/982477-researching-hrm-s-and-i-m-feeling-overwhelmed?hl=hrm#posts-15011167

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/980764-is-an-hrm-a-necessity?hl=hrm&page=2#posts-15002511

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/981579-polar-ft7-hrm-is-it-accurate?hl=hrm#posts-14998469

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/977767-hrm-which-one-to-buy?hl=hrm#posts-14986077

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/980435-basic-hrm-for-hitt-and-lifting?hl=hrm#posts-14981962

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/980106-hrm-question?hl=hrm#posts-14973062

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/980117-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-14972496

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/980082-accurate-bmr-w-hrm?hl=hrm#posts-14971995

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/982407-fitbit-flex-vs-heart-rate-monitor?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-15009338

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/979152-heart-rate-monitors?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-14957079

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975176-heart-rate-monitor-with-calories-burnt?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-14897403

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/973564-another-heart-rate-monitor-question?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-14864235

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/970471-ahhh-heart-rate-monitor-vs-cardio-machine-calories-burned?hl=heart+rate+monitor&page=1#posts-14810983

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/968246-heart-rate-monitor?hl=heart+rate+monitor&page=1#posts-14776134

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/965362-accuracy-of-heart-rate-monitor-calories?hl=heart+rate+monitor#posts-14729401

Wow. Just...wow.

chelstakencharge · June 2013

I have the Polar FT4 and I LOVE it. Had a Fit bit first and hated it!!! I got my Polar from Amazon and paid less than $60 for it

thisismeraw · June 2013

I bought a Polar FT7 and it's worth every penny I paid for it.

Regardless of what one you go for make sure of a few things...

1) Chest strap - this one is a huge one! Without a chest strap your calorie burns will not be as accurate unless you are putting your finger on the watch every five seconds
2) Make sure you get one that at least lets you input your age, sex, height and weight so you get as accurate burns as possible.

Unless you get something like a BodyMedia or a Fitbit don't wear your HRM all day to see your burns. They are meant to be used during exercise when your HR is elevated and are not accurate when trying to measure all day calorie burns.

thisismeraw · June 2013

I am actually using it right now and I enjoy being able to see where my heartrate is at during my daily routine. It's nice KNOWING how many calories i've burned, instead of using a general estimate.

Just keep in mind that unless a HRM is designed to be worn all day (which Polar HRMs aren't meant for that and even states it in the manual) they will not be completely accurate. They are accurate when worn for exercise and not daily all day wear.

GamerLady · June 2013

Just in case you weren't aware of this feature, when you go to the message boards section, there is a button called search and you can type in a keyword (ex: HRM or heart rate monitor) and you can see the threads that have already been created on the topic. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

I ask you..What's the big deal with someone asking a question that's been answered before. If they use the search, yay, if they don't, we should still be happy to answer their question without being mean.

Scottg97 · June 2013

I use the Scosche IPTM myTREK - Wireless Pulse Monitor for Smartphones and Tablets. It straps on your forearm, not your chest.

Cost me $28.95 (U.S.) on eBay with free shipping. (U.S. only) The only problem is the app software that comes with it sucks.
But you can down load the DigiFit software for $2.99 which works great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130852229927

CLFrancois · June 2013

I have a body media. I have it on 23 hours a day. It hangs out on my upper arm, we are BFF's.
I love it. I never have to guess my calories burned doing anything. I plug it into the computer and it links up with MFP and the Body Media app.

It also tells me how ****ty my sleep is. I was kind of aware already, but more now.
I bought it online for about $110.

robinrsimmons428 · June 2013

I too have the Polar F7 and absolutely love it! I think I got it on Amazon for less then $60.00. I have it sync to my iphone and love knowing that I am getting as accurate as possible calories burned during my workouts! Good luck!

MrsDanner78 · June 2013

Do the Polar ones work with most Droid phones to sync with any programs? I was looking at a Polar HRM, but wasn't sure if it would work for me...

cindybowcut · June 2013

I have one made by Bowflex and it was around $50.00. I only wear it while I am exercising and it seems to work great. I also love that it shows my heart rate while I am exercising.

STrooper · June 2013

I have a Zephyr HRM that works with Bluetooth on my Android Phone. There are a couple of models of Polar that are also the older version of BT that can work with my phone. Most Android phone use BT3 and only a very limited number use BT 4. Zephyr (unlike Polar) does not really have its own program, but programs like Runtastic, Endomondo and a few other link to my HRM.

Recent iPhones use Bluetooth 4 and can use certain smart and lower power HRM models.

Personally, I love my HRM. It is the only way to estimate weight training calorie expenditure and is very effective in setting limits for interval training (which is what I am doing now as part of my marathon training plan).

My original Zephyr ended up being defective (worked for about 1 month before it quit working) and Zephyr replaced it for me.

marvybells · June 2013

I have a polar FT40 and i love it, when it works that is.

I've only had it for a few months & many times lately it has acted wonky on me. (either it will not sense my heart rate, or it tells me it is something ridiculous like199 beats per minute when i am standing still)

I never know if it is going to work or not but it's been happening more & more lately. When this happens i have to take it off, disassemble it & re-wet it & then put it back on to see if it is fixed. Sometimes it works after a few tries, other days i waste loads of precious time trying to get it to work to no avail. it's really annoying me lately, hardly convenient when you want to get to your workout but you have to keep fiddling with the stupid HRM...

FORIANN · June 2013

I use this same think with my android phone (SIII) and it links up directly to MFP and adds my workouts. It's much more accurate and I use it with an app called iCardio.

This IS the way to go completely.

MzOakland · June 2013

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heart rate monitors?

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