We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Heart Rate Monitors

bc332000
bc332000 Posts: 1
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
I ride a Nordic Track stationary excercise bike and also lift weights. I am seeking recommendations for heart rate monitors and apps that sync with MyFitnesPal and are accurate. I purchased a Jarv chest strap monitor for about $30. But it gives ridiculous readings until I have been riding about 15 minutes and have worked up a good sweat. Prior to that it also loses contact with Endomondo on my Android phone frequently. I don't mind spending more if necessary. I would like one that starts giving accurate readings when you put it on.

Any ideas?

Replies

  • ukaryote
    ukaryote Posts: 850 Member
    Sounds like a problem with the contacts. Is there something you can use to improve the conductivity? Maybe a few drops of saline solution?

    Other than that, perhaps you could plan on spending more for reliability. Look into the Polar brand. You might end up spending 2 to 4 times as much as the Jarv but it will work.
  • crashchamp
    crashchamp Posts: 147 Member
    I have been using Garmin for awhile now with no major problems. Started with the forerunner 305 and now use 910xt with the hard strap.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    Ive had my Polar ft7 about 4yrs no issues had to change batteries once so far it has a chest strap etc
  • jrob200
    jrob200 Posts: 1 Member
    edited November 2014
    The contacts need to be wet in some way to work right. I used to just run my strap under water before I put it on but now I use an electrode gel which has helped tremendously. I'm using a Polar H7.

    As for your phone and Endomondo, depending on the version of Android, it's Android that is not working properly. I had issues with the Polar app and Endomondo. Some of the later versions, I noticed this most on version 4.4.2, have an issue with connectivity to Bluetooth devices. To mitigate I rebooted my phone before I used it for my workout and that fixed it. AT&T recently pushed Android 4.4.4 to my phone, Galaxy S4, and it has been working without having to reboot since that upgrade. At least so far. It's only been a few days.
  • floridagirl7264
    floridagirl7264 Posts: 318 Member
    I have a polar but I don't think it there are apps that sync with MFP. I do love it though and manually add in my exercise.
  • SkinnyGirlCarrie
    SkinnyGirlCarrie Posts: 259 Member
    i have the polar h7 and use it with the digifit app on my galaxy s5 and haven't had any connection probs since i started with it in april...i sync to my fitbit account that syncs to mfp but i have also used it to sync directly to mfp with no problems. just prefer to link it to fitbit first.
  • TheBeerRunner
    TheBeerRunner Posts: 2,777 Member
    Just picked up the Under Armour Armour39 HRM $29.99 + shipping if you use the code BFSave70 at underarmour.com. Works great with MapMyFitness.
  • Patti1023
    Patti1023 Posts: 78 Member
    I have a Zephyr HxM heart rate monitor, & I use it with my Android phone, it syncs with both MFP & Endomondo. I've had no problems with it & definitely recommend it.
  • hazmat1212
    hazmat1212 Posts: 10 Member
    I bought a polar FT7 on amazon (about $70) in August and though I don't eat the calories it tells me it burns, it's motivating ... and retains data which i put into MFP myself under cardio.
    I find the heart rate is accurate (to my SamsungGalaxyS5 heart rate app ... )
    it is not a model that syncs ... you'd need to spend more $ to do that, plus buy the Polar sync module.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories