Watch Style Heart Rate Monitor

TheKitsune6
TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
edited September 27 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking into purchasing a watch style heart rate monitor and I have a couple questions about how they work. Some of them mention that I have to touch it with my fingers to get an accurate reading. If you have this style of watch does it mean that your heart rate won't be measured unless you are touching the watch? That seems like it would really get in the way of measuring calories if I'm doing an activity.

Please let me know your experience (and recommendations under $60 please)

Finally - please don't tell me to just get a chest strap. I understand they can be more accurate but my question is in direct regard to the watch style heart rate monitor.

Thank you!

Replies

  • nirsky
    nirsky Posts: 38 Member
    I got the Iron Man by Timex.
    Bought it from Amazon for $65.
    Make sure the one you are buying have the calories counting functionality,
  • ronda_gettinghealthy
    ronda_gettinghealthy Posts: 777 Member
    the watch I had only checked my hr when I told it to--by touching the little button on the bottom- then it averaged it out over the time--it was VERY CHEAP:ohwell: --if I forgot to check then my hr was never very high because it got my starting hr and my ending hr and not allthe good burn inbetween and sometimes when I would check it because I was moving it wouldnt register. :explode: . Needless to say-it is sitting in the garbage. (I did get the chest strap and I do love it.)
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    I got the Iron Man by Timex.
    Bought it from Amazon for $65.
    Make sure the one you are buying have the calories counting functionality,

    Thanks for the recommendation but that doesn't answer my question about the touching issue :)
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    the watch I had only checked my hr when I told it to then it averaged it out over the time--it was VERY CHEAP:ohwell: --if I forgot to check then my hr was never very high because it got my starting hr and my ending hr and not allthe good burn inbetween and sometimes when I would check it because I was moving it wouldnt register. :explode: . Needless to say-it is sitting in the garbage. (I did get the chest strap and I do love it.)

    So you're required to touch it periodically if it's a watch?
  • drasr
    drasr Posts: 181
    That's right. You need to stop and touch the sensor to get your heart rate. If you have a smartphone[Android or iphone] you can download an app which will do the same thing for you and you won't have to buy the watch. Check
    www.instantheartrate.com
  • ronda_gettinghealthy
    ronda_gettinghealthy Posts: 777 Member
    yes mine did--there was a little button on the bottom
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    drasr - that sounds awesome! I have a windows 7 phone, I wonder if they have one there. I'll go look.

    Thank you drmomm
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,337 Member
    To measure calories you MUST have a chest strap. The touch ones often have a calorie function, but it will be far from accurate. I have a sportline with the chest strap that I got at Wal-Mart for about $50. It seems to work well. I have heard here that Timex ones calculate calories rather high, Polar seems to be the most popular. This might help: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472
  • Claudia007
    Claudia007 Posts: 878 Member
    I got mine for Christmas, but I know it was purchased from Costco for about $50 or so. I love it. Yes, you have to touch your fingers to it to get a reading. the more often you take a reading, the more accurate your rate. I usually jog or do kickboxing, so I am not restricted to taking it often. I suppose it depends what what types of activies you do. I do have the type that has calorie counting, and weight functions.
  • janna674
    janna674 Posts: 410 Member
    i have a cheap sportline one...it works great...you put in wether your male or female and your age....it is very accurate...the only problem is if its cold out and the watch isnt on as snugly as it should be it sometimes screws up. The reading is from different sensors within the watch and the metal back...you get the reading when you press the button, but the watch it self is constantly recording it.
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