Heart rate monitors

EmmaShorter
EmmaShorter Posts: 298
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok after recommendations I bought a heart rate monitor. I couldn't afford an expensive one so bought one fairly cheaply on ebay. However I think it is pretty rubbish. I used it today while doing level 2 on 30 day shred. It said I had burned 91 calories. I cannot imagine that is correct! Here is how the one I have works. You click start on the exercise timer. Exercise and then when done you record your pulse by holding a sensor on the watch. As every exercise has a warm up and cool down after cooling down your pulse will have slowed down therefore lowering the estimated calories I figured.
What I wanted to know was how do your hrm's work. Also does anyone have a recommendation of a good one that is fairly inexpensive? Around £30 ish. Something that automatically measures your heart rate throughout your exercise session?
Thanks Emma

Replies

  • Jenn070608
    Jenn070608 Posts: 206 Member
    I will tell you I originally bought a cheaper hrm and we very unhappy and discouraged by its inaccuracy. If you are going to use one, save up the extra money and get a good one. If not, don't use one. I saved up and bought a polar with a chest strap ($110 usd). It was worth it to me to have one that worked accurately. you may be able to find it cheaper online, I bought mine at a sporting goods store. I received alot of advice from an MFP post on what to buy and I also researched it on line.
  • clioandboy
    clioandboy Posts: 963 Member
    Hi
    I have a Beurer PM70 bought off amazon uk about 50 quid i think, has a chest strap which i think is absolutely essential, I input age height weight yadda yadda and the hrm accurately measures hr, gives max min and average heart rates calculates zones the software shows how long you work in the zones you set etc etc etc..... i also have the foot pod which measures accurately distance and speed when running....;it is fabulous, the software is fantastic BUT IT HATES ME AND ONLY GIVES ME ABOUT 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE CALORIES AS THE MFP DATABASE
    I think that in all other respects it is really really accurate but i doubt it is accurate in calculating my cals burned ;) it is fab
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    I have a MIO Drive. You have to check your heart rate numerous times throughout your workout and the watch calculates a calorie burn estimate using those changes.
  • rebysue
    rebysue Posts: 136
    I have a Timex. It was $68 so more than your looking to spend but it works really well. Make sure you get one that comes with a chest strap and it will monitor you through your exercise session. I remember reading reviews on Amazon.com and seeing one around $35 that had pretty good reviews. Polar and Timex both seem to be good brands. Just found this one on Amazon for $35 and it has good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T5G971-Unisex-Personal-Monitor/dp/B000P8VWQS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1305399956&sr=8-5
  • Jamiemielke
    Jamiemielke Posts: 40 Member
    I have the timex heart rate monitor, got it on sale at best buy for 40..I am guessing your current one does not have a chest strap? That is what you want. It reads your heart rate the whole time you are exercising..
  • EmmaShorter
    EmmaShorter Posts: 298
    This is the problem when doing 30 DS Jillian will not let you stop to fiddle with your hrm. Lol
  • ltf304
    ltf304 Posts: 132 Member
    Save your pennies! :) This is something that you can't go to cheap on. You must must get one with the chest strap. I did tons of research and the best ones are Polar and Garmin forerunner. I have a garmin forerunner and its very accurate. Good luck!
  • Jenn070608
    Jenn070608 Posts: 206 Member
    This is the problem when doing 30 DS Jillian will not let you stop to fiddle with your hrm. Lol

    The chest straps are very comfortable and when adjusted properly do not move out of place when working out.
  • david081
    david081 Posts: 489 Member
    Polar have a good range and their accuracy is well established. Mine's an FT4 but they do less expensive ones. Don't bother with a HRM without a chest strap. I don't feel mine it is so comfortable...
  • jrhstarlight
    jrhstarlight Posts: 867 Member
    I bought one from a sporting goods store and was happy at first with it. I had to input my age and sex and you have to check your pulse a few times during the workout and by the end you would have a pretty accurate number. Mine doesn't have the chest straps you simply place your fingertip on the watch face and it will give you a reading. I plan on getting another one due to I have had mine only a few months and the battery is already dead and I only wear it during workouts. I tried to replace the battery but it was complicated and it no longer takes my heart rate :( oops so I will try to invest in a better one even though the one I got wasn't super cheap I paid $70!
  • EmmaShorter
    EmmaShorter Posts: 298
    What I meant was with the current hrm I have Jillian will not allow time to check your pulse. So that is why I wanted advice on a hrm that measured your heart rate automatically without having to put your finger on anything. :)
  • jrhstarlight
    jrhstarlight Posts: 867 Member
    To each their own I know alot people prefer the chest strap, I have never used one. I did the shred and ripped using mine and never had issues checking the pulse, it only takes a few seconds. So when I would grab my water or take my 5 second breathers I would check then or when inevitably when she stops to chit chat between exercises or when we are switching to the floor thats also a good time to check.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I'd save up for a polar if I was you. I bought a cheaper Timex one(that had a chest strap) and the calories counted were way off on it, so I wound up returning it.
  • EmmaShorter
    EmmaShorter Posts: 298
    I got my polar ft4 today and loving it so far! Cant wait to test it out on hard core exercise!
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