Heart rate monitor?

You should be able to find a decent Polar or Nike C5 type monitor (chest strap and watch combo) for around $80 - $120 or so. Different models are higher or lower in that range. I've had both and they work well, whether you are using the watch to keep track or in many cases the newer cardio machines will pick up the transmitted HR from the chest strap while wearing it.

I think there are also just the watches that can take HR without the chest strap, but no experience with those.

If you have a smart phone you can get a Polar H7 for about $80. You can then use an app on your phone to track you HR.

The Polar FT7 with chest strap is a great device and very accurate.

Fitbit charge hr works for me, needs recharging evrry 3 days which id a pain but they are alot cheaper now

I have a Garmin forerunner 220 for my runs. It's a great device with the HR strap which, for accuracy is important over the wrist based. It's pricey though. I used the strap for 2 months and haven't used it since because I realized it's not important as I should and do listen to my body.

If you have a newer smart phone you might have one included as an app! I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and it comes with a sensor with S Health. Saved me a lot of money.

Here's a site where you can compare for what you need. For steady state cardio, something with a chest strap would be a better choice. The polar H7 sensor has bluetooth to sync to your phone and will also sync with most cardio equipment to control level and resistance by your selected heart rate.

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/

I also use the Polar FT7. I like the audible alert if I go beyond my heart rate range. It also has a feature that shows you if you are in the fitness zone, or fat burn zone. Only cost me around $100. The FT7 is also compatible with the H7 Sensor, which has a bluetooth feature. So not only can you see/track the information from the watch unit, but you can sync it to your phone/computer pretty easily.

If you are just wanting a pretty basic HR monitor, then go with the FT4. A bit cheaper, lacks some of the more extensive features, records 10 workouts (opposed to the 99 of the FT7), but will definitely get the job done.

yirara wrote: »

I just bought a Scosche Rhythm plus. It sits on my lower arm somewhere and I don't notice it at all. I do need bluetooth and a smartphone app to record the data though. But I'm using that anyway for running. The sensor costs about 70 USD.

2nd the Scosche Rhythm+. Just make sure you get the new one and not the old Rhythm. The sensor's been upgraded and it's more accurate. The old one was comparable to every other watch-type HRM on the market. You'll know you've found the wrong one if the cost is ~$40.

Chieflrg wrote: »

I don't use one. I just use a mathematical formula that takes less than a minute to compute and is more accurate then a HRM.

What exactly is this supposed to mean? This is a patently absurd statement.