good but cheap heart rate monitors

gypsyrose85
gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have 5 kids so needless to say not a lot of extra money. We need 2 hrms. Ones that also count the calories. Would prefer under 50 $. Yes I know I get what I pay for but we cant aford more than that. We have 3 people with major medical problems.

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If you want something accurate you'll need a HRM with a chest strap. The Polar FT4 is a good model and probably the cheapest but not under $50. A HRM is only good for steady state cardio though so it's not something you wear all the time to get your calorie burn for the day.

    A Fitbit isn't a HRM but it will give an estimate of total daily burn. The Zip is usually in the $60 range and you just clip it on like a pedometer and wear it all day.

    You can get the cheap pulse type HRM's that look like a watch and you touch an electrode to get your HR but they're wildly inaccurate.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    You probably know this but they all produce estimates based on averages which are available free online from activity databases like MFPs. And you can check your HR with your fingers, though obviously you don't get a nice continuous read like from a HR. I'm not saying a HRM isn't a nice tool but it produces estimates that are somewhat better than estimates you can get for free, so I don't think it's essential.
  • arrseegee
    arrseegee Posts: 575 Member
    The cheaper it is, usually the less accurate (and therefore less useful).
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    What are you looking for it to do? What information are you trying to gather?
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I feel like most of the mediocre 'average' reviews are because they're averaging a lot of very good reviews with some terrible ones, and the terrible ones are often based on getting a faulty device, which the manufacturers and retailers will replace. It happens a lot. It is frustrating, too. But if you get a working device AND recognize beforehand what it can and can't do (it can't do HR, it can't track cycling), people tend to be happy with the Fitbit and some of the other leaders, I think. You have to realize you're paying $60-$99 for a very fancy pedometer. The BMF, in my opinion, doesn't really do much more. I've had that, too.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I have a Pyle Sport HRM with chest strap. It was less than $30 on Amazon, and is as accurate as the monitoring equipment at our local human performance lab. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Polar, it doesn't store data, and you have to run the stopwatch in order to get a count of calories burned. It's nothing fancy, but if all you want is something to monitor your heartrate and give you a good estimate of calories burned during steady state cardio, it gets the job done.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.

    Those are fitness buddies, not heart rate monitors. What are you wanting to do with these items? That will help us determine which is better for you.
  • beeblebrox82
    beeblebrox82 Posts: 578 Member
    If you have an iphone the PolarH7 is an awesome alternative. Cheap too and as accurate as any polar wristwatch at twice the price.


    Stay away from anything Timex, their algorithms are way off.
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.

    Those are fitness buddies, not heart rate monitors. What are you wanting to do with these items? That will help us determine which is better for you.

    Track burned callories.
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    If you have an iphone the PolarH7 is an awesome alternative. Cheap too and as accurate as any polar wristwatch at twice the price.


    Stay away from anything Timex, their algorithms are way off.

    I have a droid.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.

    Those are fitness buddies, not heart rate monitors. What are you wanting to do with these items? That will help us determine which is better for you.

    Track burned callories.

    Yes, but are you wanting to get an estimate of how many calories you burn just going about your day or are you wanting to specifically track how many calories you're burning during a workout session?
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    I supose through the day. That would be the most accurate for weightloss right?
  • bmqbonnie
    bmqbonnie Posts: 836 Member
    I have a polar ft4 and I'm really happy with it. It's $60 on amazon, so just above your budget. maybe keep your eye out for a lightly used one? Or maybe there will be some black friday/cyber monday deals?
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    Through the day i think...that would be the most accurate.
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.

    Those are fitness buddies, not heart rate monitors. What are you wanting to do with these items? That will help us determine which is better for you.

    Track burned callories.

    Yes, but are you wanting to get an estimate of how many calories you burn just going about your day or are you wanting to specifically track how many calories you're burning during a workout session?
  • Adw7677
    Adw7677 Posts: 201 Member
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.


    I bought the Bodymedia in February. It also runs on estimates and isn't accurate. When I'm sweating my butt off at the gym, it usually thinks I'm sitting on the couch, half asleep. Most of the positive reviews that I've seen are from people that weren't active before, now they are, so they credit the Bodymedia armband. You could tie a ribbon around your arm to remind you to exercise and get the same results.

    I've also used the Fitbit. It seemed accurate for cardio, but fell apart after about a year. I don't think there's anything that will give an accurate calorie count if you're weightlifting. I thought about getting a HRM next, but now I'm thinking I should just log my estimated calories and go off that. Fitbit and Bodymedia both give me numbers that are very similar to online calorie estimates. In fact, what Bodymedia says I'm burning in a day - that's EXACTLY the same as the internet estimation of what I should be burning. According to all these gadgets, I've been eating at a calorie deficit for awhile. Do I lose a pound for every 3500 calories? Nope. Not even close.

    Save your money. Buy a tape measure and take your measurements every week. And maybe get some workout clothes, or an mp3 player or something that will help you enjoy your workouts. Good luck! :)
  • Thommothebear
    Thommothebear Posts: 25 Member
    Polar FT4 does everything I need it to, very good value
  • Adw7677
    Adw7677 Posts: 201 Member
    I can't remember the name of it, maybe someone else does. There are places that measure the oxygen coming out of your mouth for like 20 minutes, to see how many calories you're burning. I've heard it runs about $40. You could have that done and compare it to online estimates to see where you stand. This is the actual (scientific?) way to test your metabolism and see where you're at. It's accurate, and it would be in the price range you mentioned. I just wish I could remember what it's called. :grumble:
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If you want something to track your calories all day based on your movements and your exercise is going to be more walking/running based they you're looking for something like a Fitbit or Bodymedia. They aren't HRM's. A HRM is only for use during steady state cardio exercise, you can't wear it all day and get anything accurate.

    It's really not going to help with weight loss unless you use it as a motivator. It's very easy to figure out a calorie budget using a multitude of online calculators or if you just post your stats here there are lots of people who will do it for you.
  • wascwywbt
    wascwywbt Posts: 2 Member
    For good but cheap HRM, I use the Timex T5K541 Personal Trainer HR which is less than $30 on Amazon. For many years I used to use $200+ Polar HRM's but it costs more to replace the battery with their factory authorized service at Polar than it does to buy a new Timex HRM.
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    Probably not what you want to hear, but if money is an issue, then I wouldn't bother getting anything at all.

    You can get reasonable estimates from the internet.

    If you can't afford quality then rely on the internet information.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    For good but cheap HRM, I use the Timex T5K541 Personal Trainer HR which is less than $30 on Amazon. For many years I used to use $200+ Polar HRM's but it costs more to replace the battery with their factory authorized service at Polar than it does to buy a new Timex HRM.

    Timex are cheap but they aren't reliable. They are notorious for giving exaggerated burns for women.
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    Do you know of any good mp3 players that are not pricy and not an ipod?
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.


    I bought the Bodymedia in February. It also runs on estimates and isn't accurate. When I'm sweating my butt off at the gym, it usually thinks I'm sitting on the couch, half asleep. Most of the positive reviews that I've seen are from people that weren't active before, now they are, so they credit the Bodymedia armband. You could tie a ribbon around your arm to remind you to exercise and get the same results.

    I've also used the Fitbit. It seemed accurate for cardio, but fell apart after about a year. I don't think there's anything that will give an accurate calorie count if you're weightlifting. I thought about getting a HRM next, but now I'm thinking I should just log my estimated calories and go off that. Fitbit and Bodymedia both give me numbers that are very similar to online calorie estimates. In fact, what Bodymedia says I'm burning in a day - that's EXACTLY the same as the internet estimation of what I should be burning. According to all these gadgets, I've been eating at a calorie deficit for awhile. Do I lose a pound for every 3500 calories? Nope. Not even close.

    Save your money. Buy a tape measure and take your measurements every week. And maybe get some workout clothes, or an mp3 player or something that will help you enjoy your workouts. Good luck! :)
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    I have a polar ft4 and I'm really happy with it. It's $60 on amazon, so just above your budget. maybe keep your eye out for a lightly used one? Or maybe there will be some black friday/cyber monday deals?
    I think I may go with this.
  • Adw7677
    Adw7677 Posts: 201 Member
    Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything. I've been using my phone as an mp3 player for awhile now. I'd probably look for something used and reputable on Ebay. I have an old Zune that was a total pain in the butt, so I wouldn't recommend it. Samsung makes great phones. If they make an mp3 player, it would probably be good. In fact, you could buy a used or no-contract cell phone. You could use the wifi, mp3 player, camera, and bluetooth without even activating the phone.

    Avoid anything that CVS sells. They're all crap.


    Do you know of any good mp3 players that are not pricy and not an ipod?
    I just looked at the reveiws and none of the more expensive ones seem to have a ton if great reveiws ether. Fitbit is only like 3.5 stars. Bodymedia seems to have the best but costs monthly.


    I bought the Bodymedia in February. It also runs on estimates and isn't accurate. When I'm sweating my butt off at the gym, it usually thinks I'm sitting on the couch, half asleep. Most of the positive reviews that I've seen are from people that weren't active before, now they are, so they credit the Bodymedia armband. You could tie a ribbon around your arm to remind you to exercise and get the same results.

    I've also used the Fitbit. It seemed accurate for cardio, but fell apart after about a year. I don't think there's anything that will give an accurate calorie count if you're weightlifting. I thought about getting a HRM next, but now I'm thinking I should just log my estimated calories and go off that. Fitbit and Bodymedia both give me numbers that are very similar to online calorie estimates. In fact, what Bodymedia says I'm burning in a day - that's EXACTLY the same as the internet estimation of what I should be burning. According to all these gadgets, I've been eating at a calorie deficit for awhile. Do I lose a pound for every 3500 calories? Nope. Not even close.

    Save your money. Buy a tape measure and take your measurements every week. And maybe get some workout clothes, or an mp3 player or something that will help you enjoy your workouts. Good luck! :)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    It sounds like you really want a new device but in case not... Probably the best way to estimate your typical daily calorie burn is to track everything that goes in your mouth for like a month or two and your weight loss, and back out your burn from that data. Completely free and not based on population estimates and it accounts for your food tracking measurement error, in effect. But you can't skip days or even meals of tracking.
  • gypsyrose85
    gypsyrose85 Posts: 206 Member
    So I looked into body media. Dont want a monthly payment thing. I dont have a computer and have a samsung galaxy s2 so fitbit wont sync to that. If I went with a fitness budy what would be my best bet besides these two. I know nike makes one (did not research) and jawbone. I do like the idea of a sleep monitor. I am a very restless sleeper most of the time.
  • missmeee
    missmeee Posts: 41 Member
    i saw some on ebay for just $9.00, are those any good? i am looking into buying a HRM myself
  • FitHolly8
    FitHolly8 Posts: 52 Member
    I own the Polar FT4 and it works great!
    I Purchased mine through sears but now I see they have a refurbished one for $20 or they're about $60 new on Amazon. Well worth the money!

    http://www.searsoutlet.com/FT4-Female-Fitness-Computer/d/product_details.jsp?stxt=polar ft4&md=srh1_md&pn=1&ps=24&pid=73519&mode=buyUsedOnly

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