What heart rate monitor do you use?

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Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Be aware... an HRM (polar, garmin, etc) is most definitely NOT the same thing as an activity tracker (up, fitbit, etc).

    They are trying to bridge the gap with some of the newer models, but make sure you get one that will do what you want it to do. I've been through 2 HRMs and a fitbit flex - they do not do the same thing, they are not meant to do the same thing.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    I love the HRM that came in a bundle with my Garmin Vivofit. The two work extremely well together. I bought a smaller chest strap for the HRM after a couple of months and found that improved the accuracy. Both the Vivofit and HRM sync very well with the Garmin Connect website which is accessible through my iphone. I've had a few occasions when it hasn't sync'd (notably just after the NY Marathon!!), but it came back on. The HRM was easy to set up and worked out of the box. The Vivofit has worked like a dream. No charging, no taking it off to swim/shower and it shows more useful information than just those flickering lights on the fitbit, quite frankly.

    I'm seriously considering upgrading to Garmin's HRM-Run and getting a Forerunner at the same time. Never too many gadgets IMO..
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    turtlez23 wrote: »
    I just feel that a chest strap is going to be uncomfortable especially for someone like me who is on the heavier side.

    There's only one way to find out if it's uncomfortable, and that's to give it a try.

    Having said that, I have a small chest (now), and there is very little "clearance" between the lower edge of my sports bra and the bottom of my rib cage, so in theory, it should dig in. BUT I still forget I have my HRM on sometimes. Adjusting the strap to work for you and making sure you have the correct size will make a big difference.

  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    polar. had a fitbit, hated it. My hubby just got an under armour hrm that pairs up with his iphone, he likes it so far.
  • rachels1977
    rachels1977 Posts: 3 Member
    I use the Polar FT4 when working out the Fitbit Flex for daily use... It's also nice to have two just in case my Polar's strap has issues during a workout... then I have a better guestimate....

    Also, with the chest strap, I'm a bit heavier and don't notice it too much. If you're a lady, it fits pretty good under the sports bra...
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    turtlez23 wrote: »
    I just feel that a chest strap is going to be uncomfortable especially for someone like me who is on the heavier side.
    you get used to it, really my polar one is soft and flexible. It's so much more accurate.
  • lmr0528
    lmr0528 Posts: 427 Member
    Polar FT60. Had a Fitbit Force last year and hated it.
  • Ellencas1974
    Ellencas1974 Posts: 13 Member
    Polar FT7 - the strap has never bothered me and I love it!
  • princessofredrock
    princessofredrock Posts: 382 Member
    Totally psyched to get the new fitbit's when they come out! I have tried HRM's but just did not like them! One I can wear on my wrist and has all the other fitbit features will be awesome I think! ; ) I have the fitbit one now (had it for 3 yrs) love it! ; )
  • sarahsmiles2013
    sarahsmiles2013 Posts: 42 Member
    Love my Garmin VivoFit! It's been the best purchase for me!
  • FrugalMomsRock75
    FrugalMomsRock75 Posts: 698 Member
    edited December 2014
    I retired my Polar ft7 and got a Polar TCX3. :) I have a brand new Garmin Forerunner that my daughter never used (well, she did once)... but I like the simplicity of my Polar, so I haven't tried it.

    I also have a Fitbit One. *LOVE* it.
  • jsickman12
    jsickman12 Posts: 139 Member
    I am now on the UnderArmour chest strap that pairs with my iPhone. I have used Polar, Timex, and the target brand. The timex I went through 3 chest straps, I hated the polar watch set up, and the target brand stopped working rather quick. The Under Armour so far is awesome, pairs with Mapmyfitness and has its own app as well, seems to be pretty accurate and it is more comfortable than the polar and timex chest straps, it is much bigger too.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    as mentioned before my hubby loves the under armour one, so much so that we just ordered one for my brother as a gift - if anyone is interested on the under armour website coupon code "armour39" will get you 70 bucks off it right now, as far as I know it is still good, I just looked. thats 30 bucks for a $100 HRM, might be worth a try!
  • RUNNING_AMOK_1958
    RUNNING_AMOK_1958 Posts: 268 Member
    Polar RC3 GPS. Looking to get the new Polar M400.
  • ladyluch99
    ladyluch99 Posts: 264 Member
    I have the Polar FT7 and the Fitbit One. I love them both! They are used for totally separate functions as someone else mentioned. I had the Flex but I didn't like it at all and sent it back. Guess I don't like anything on my wrist. I'll wait to see what folks are saying about the new Fitbit products before I decide if I want to upgrade.
  • EPICUREASIAN
    EPICUREASIAN Posts: 147 Member
    Was just posting about hrm differences on another thread (i.e. ecg vs bioimpedance vs optical heart rate monitoring). I use a Polar FT40 with an H1 sensor/strap for cardio, mostly jogging/running these days. I'm looking to upgrade to a Bluetooth sensor that i can pair up with my smartphone, which doubles as an activity tracker currently.
  • jmido
    jmido Posts: 18
    I am deciding between the basis peak, new fitbit charge, or the sports edition iwatch. Since the fitbit and iwatch arent out yet, im waiting to see how they compare to the basis peak which is supposed to be very good and accurate.
  • muah3iluvzu06
    muah3iluvzu06 Posts: 79 Member
    Polar FT4 & I love it.
  • jillianedwards
    jillianedwards Posts: 67 Member
    Polar FT7 its awesome!
  • Jaywalker_7
    Jaywalker_7 Posts: 68 Member
    Just got the Polar FT7 and am loving it so far! I'm a big girl and the chest strap goes completely unnoticed during my workout. I tuck it just underneath my sports bra and don't notice it at all. I like the simplicity of it too.
  • ogremoustro
    ogremoustro Posts: 1 Member
    turtlez23 wrote: »
    It seems like everyone is pro fitbit. Have not heard anything about the Jawbone yet.

    Keep in mind the new Jawbone UP3 will not measure active heart rate, but only resting heart rate. I had ordered one at first until I saw that so I ordered a Basis Peak; it's great!

  • turtlez23
    turtlez23 Posts: 156 Member
    ogremoustro wrote: »
    turtlez23 wrote: »
    It seems like everyone is pro fitbit. Have not heard anything about the Jawbone yet.

    Keep in mind the new Jawbone UP3 will not measure active heart rate, but only resting heart rate. I had ordered one at first until I saw that so I ordered a Basis Peak; it's great!

    Oh! Thanks for that, I had no idea! I'm thinking for now, to just go with the Fitbit Flex and then once I really start being active, invest in a heart rate monitor!
  • turtlez23
    turtlez23 Posts: 156 Member
    Jaywalker_7 wrote: »
    Just got the Polar FT7 and am loving it so far! I'm a big girl and the chest strap goes completely unnoticed during my workout. I tuck it just underneath my sports bra and don't notice it at all. I like the simplicity of it too.

    Good to know! Thanks! This might be the HRM I get later on because everyone seems to love it and it has gotten good reviews online.
  • Lazz5k
    Lazz5k Posts: 251 Member
    I use a garmin forerunner.. which is specifically for running. day to day I would really like to get the new fitbit when it comes out !!!
  • Lazz5k
    Lazz5k Posts: 251 Member
    turtlez23 wrote: »
    I just feel that a chest strap is going to be uncomfortable especially for someone like me who is on the heavier side.

    I thought the same. but it's not .. honest. you don't even notice it's there after a few times..
  • rocknbam
    rocknbam Posts: 11 Member
    I have the combo of garmin FT7 and garmin vivofit both of which connect to the same heart rate strap. I use vivofit as my daily activity/basic exercise tracker and FT7 as my run/walk heart rate tracker. Both send great data to garmin connect wirelessly!
  • dawnmitchell6766
    dawnmitchell6766 Posts: 370 Member
    I have the Garmin Vivofit, I like it, but it stopped syncing with my computer after 5 months. They replaced it at no charge, but may step up to the Basis Peak with the wrist HRM if it goes out again.
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