best heart rate monitor

R4eBro · July 2013

What is the best heart rate monitor to buy that doesn't cost a fortune but is reliable and accurate??
Thanks!!

ze_hombre · July 2013

Most of the strap based HRM's are going to be equatable. Polar, Zephyr, Garmin, TomTom (although I think this is a rebranded Polar), Suunto, Timex all make excellent ones. It depends on how you want to log the data (phone, watch, etc.) and what exercises you want to use it for. Remember that very few wireless devices work under water even if they are listed as waterproof.

kariweighsin · July 2013

I personally love Polar HRM's. I personally use the Polar FT7 which measures your heart rate, calories burned and times in both fitness and fat burning zones. I have also had the Polar FT4 which did everything the FT7 does except tell you your times in the fitness and fat burning zones; instead, it tells you your time in the zone (your suggested heart rate zone).

When it comes to the Polar HRM you enter your information (age, height, weight, etc.) and you are ready to go. You can also set the watch to beep when you are outside of your suggested heart rate.

I find that both of these are very reliable and depending on where you get them from, they shouldn't be too expensive. I personally purchased both of mine from ****'s Sporting Goods. The Polar FT4 is $89.99 before tax and the FT7 is $109.99 before tax. After taxes and a warranty (although I didn't want to pay for a warranty I knew I was better off having it and not needing it versus needing it and not having it and trust me I did need the warranty), I paid a little over $100 for the FT4 and a little over $130 for the FT7.

That may seem like a lot but both HRM's were well worth their money. I have also heard of some great deals on Amazon when it comes to Polar's.

Good luck with your search!

pastryari · July 2013

MoreBean13 · July 2013

You should get 2 different ones and wear them both at the same time and then take an average of the results.

scott091501 · July 2013

You should get 2 different ones and wear them both at the same time and then take an average of the results.

What? Seriously?

Go to www.dcrainmaker.com and read up on a lot of them. Most in depth reviews out there.

xjoseyx · July 2013

i got the polar ft4 and i love it! it was $65

Capt_Apollo · July 2013

the garmin 910xt heart rate monitor and watch, with GPS. sends data to your computer too. works for swimming, running, and cycling. i'd get the triathlon bundle so you can mount it seemlessly from your wrist to your bike.

http://tinyurl.com/l92u8td

_Waffle_ · July 2013

kaned_ferret · July 2013

I have recently gotten an FT4 after my older F4 died, it's ace, and was a bargain on ebay for about £20 :drinker:

R4eBro · August 2013

I had no idea...thanks!!!

olerolls · August 2013

If you have a smartphone, I'd recommend getting the Polar H7. It will interface with several different apps (I personally like Digifit) and that syncs straight to MFP. I used to have a Polar FT40 and I liked it a lot, but I really wanted something that could work directly with the apps I use instead of having to manually enter.

Plus, you only have to wear the strap, not anything on your wrist. Since I use my phone for music anyway during a workout, I don't have to have anything extra with me this way.

R4eBro · August 2013

Thanks you were very helpful!

Layla76 · August 2013

I have both the Fitbit One and the Polar FT4. I wear the Fitbit all day everyday and love that its a pedometer and tracks how many sets of stars Ive climbed plus calories burned and even a sleep tracker. When I work out I add the Polar and use that to track my workout. This method has worked out for me well so far. I ordered the Fitbit and the Polar from Amazon and got free shipping.

nikkip1982 · August 2013

I have the Polar F4 (FT4?) as well. I love it because it has everything I want, but also has a user-replaceable battery. My battery died after about 2 years, and it is only under warranty for one year. I was able to spend $4 (the cost of the battery from CVS) and just replace it myself.

nikkip1982 · August 2013

I have both the Fitbit One and the Polar FT4. I wear the Fitbit all day everyday and love that its a pedometer and tracks how many sets of stars Ive climbed plus calories burned and even a sleep tracker. When I work out I add the Polar and use that to track my workout. This method has worked out for me well so far. I ordered the Fitbit and the Polar from Amazon and got free shipping.

I have both of these as well- Love them both!

AmberCarr · August 2013

If you have a smartphone, I'd recommend getting the Polar H7. It will interface with several different apps (I personally like Digifit) and that syncs straight to MFP. I used to have a Polar FT40 and I liked it a lot, but I really wanted something that could work directly with the apps I use instead of having to manually enter.

Plus, you only have to wear the strap, not anything on your wrist. Since I use my phone for music anyway during a workout, I don't have to have anything extra with me this way.

Does this drain your phone battery fast?

olerolls · August 2013

No. It uses low-energy Bluetooth and the drain is very minimal. It's only going to work with newer smartphones that support that kind of Bluetooth. Be sure to check on Polar's website to be sure what you have is compatible.

R4eBro · August 2013

No. It uses low-energy Bluetooth and the drain is very minimal. It's only going to work with newer smartphones that support that kind of Bluetooth. Be sure to check on Polar's website to be sure what you have is compatible.

I have the brand new HTC one, and from what I read online it only works with IPhone...dang it because it looks perfect as I like to have music with me too!

MzzFaith · October 2013

Polar Ft71

BlueAngelChar · October 2013

I use the Polar RX300 and it's great! Logs calories, distance ran and vo2 max

lavender_fairie · October 2013

I just ordered the polar ft4 from amazon on sale for $60 at the suggestion of another mfpal. I'm glad you seem to like it too.

Smeltzer2 · October 2013

I am just kidding but the ones the cardio doctors put on you to test your heart. I have heart disease and my sleeping pulse is 39. MY average pulse is about 49. It scared me at first but the cardio doc says it is normal for me. If you find a good monitor give me a message lijlke you said not too expensive. I an 70 so I am just trying to Jeep afloat

best heart rate monitor

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