Heart Rate Monitor Watches

TrainerRobin
TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been getting several questions about Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) watches, so instead of replying to each of you separately, I just summed up my two cents worth in a blog post. Hope it's helpful to those of you considering the purchase of this fun, new (and helpful) toy! :flowerforyou:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/TrainerRobin/view/heart-rate-monitor-watches-something-to-consider-69776

Replies

  • smrach83
    smrach83 Posts: 20
    Great insight! very helpful! I'm going this weekend to buy one...NOW I can't wait!
  • tabbychiro
    tabbychiro Posts: 223 Member
    I have the Garmin Forerunner 305 and love it. As a HRM it has more features than the Polar FT7 I have. With the 305 I can specify my HR zones and create workouts around those zones and the 305 beeps to tell me when it's time to change intervals or when my HR is in the wrong zone.

    However, since it uses distance and pace to calculate calories, I could not get a calorie count when using it indoors. Not sure if using a foot pod with it would change that.

    But I recently had a New Leaf metabolic assessment done, which gave me a profile that I was able to import into my Garmin. So now I can see the calories I burned for indoor workouts when I use the HRM.
  • TrainerRobin
    TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
    Great insight! very helpful! I'm going this weekend to buy one...NOW I can't wait!

    You're going to LOVE it. It's like having a personal trainer on your wrist! :)
    I feel NAKED without mine on a run. I love the data feedback ... but I'm THAT kind of person!

    Have fun with your new toy. If you're like me, it'll be a total, motivating game changer!

    Good luck!
  • TrainerRobin
    TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
    I have the Garmin Forerunner 305 and love it. As a HRM it has more features than the Polar FT7 I have. With the 305 I can specify my HR zones and create workouts around those zones and the 305 beeps to tell me when it's time to change intervals or when my HR is in the wrong zone.

    However, since it uses distance and pace to calculate calories, I could not get a calorie count when using it indoors. Not sure if using a foot pod with it would change that.

    But I recently had a New Leaf metabolic assessment done, which gave me a profile that I was able to import into my Garmin. So now I can see the calories I burned for indoor workouts when I use the HRM.

    Hmmm. Not sure. My 301XT uses my actual heart rate to calculate my calorie burn off of, but I did buy a footpod to use inside on the treadmill. I calibrated it on a several mile long run and now on my treadmill, it's super closer to accurate (or it may be accurate and my treadmill might be close). ;)

    I found the cheapest price on my footpod on Amazon (sorry Garmin!).
  • tabbychiro
    tabbychiro Posts: 223 Member
    The newer models of the Forerunners calculate calories differently than the older models like the 305.

    Oh, forgot to mention that the reason I got the Polar was because I didn't like how big and bulky the 305 feels on my wrist when I work out in the gym. But for running it doesn't bother me.
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