HRM and Shoes Suggestions?

Rockindreamer
Rockindreamer Posts: 78
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Today I am going to get new shoes and a HRM. Any suggestions on either? I have heard good things on MFP about the Polar FT4 and FT7. What do you all have? As for shoes, no clue i just know the ones i have currently do not fit properly and hurt my feet.

Replies

  • RaeannePemberton
    RaeannePemberton Posts: 382 Member
    Polar is great for a HRM unless you are wanting to also run/bike and/or know mileage. Then, I would recommend a garmin... but garmin should only be used for distance workouts as it does not work on general aerobic/dvd/indoor/strength workouts.

    the Polar is a good option for any type of workout as it will accurately give you an estimated burn no matter what you do. BUT i do recommend going with the "Cadillac" model of your choice as speaking from experience, i have upgraded 3 times. LOL.

    also... on the shoes.... you should really get fitted at a running/fitness store as they know what they are doing and generally speaking can make good recommendations based on your stride, pronation, etc. AND they have a higher quality shoe even if it's the same company. asics makes better quality shoes for running stores than they do for kohls.

    i recommend asics, brooks, mizuno, or new balance... but it's more about comfort and stability than anything else. this means you actually need to "test" drive a good shoe to see how it feels. GOOD LUCK! very exciting. :)
  • k8wilson
    k8wilson Posts: 28 Member
    I used to have a polar which is a great brand, but earlier this year I bought a garmin fr60 which I love because I can use it in regular hr mode for any exercise or I can add the shoe pod and use it in running mode. It charts my hr from beginning to end and in running mode it gives me my speed during the entire work out. It has a really nice website too, showing your entire workout graphed.
  • k8wilson
    k8wilson Posts: 28 Member
    Polar is great for a HRM unless you are wanting to also run/bike and/or know mileage. Then, I would recommend a garmin... but garmin should only be used for distance workouts as it does not work on general aerobic/dvd/indoor/strength workouts.

    The FR60 Garmin has three modes, run, general, or bike. The general mode works great for any exercise, it counts calories ,tracks your hr, etc.
  • Debi907
    Debi907 Posts: 69 Member
    Absolutely go to a running shoe specialist. Find out where the high school near you sends their cross country kids to get shoes. Take your old running shoes with you, so they can see how the sole is wearing. Invest in a decent pair of running socks too. Good luck!
  • demonNIИ
    demonNIИ Posts: 187
    for HRM I suggest the Polar FT4 and for shoes I swear by my New Balance design number 470 ..... long discontinued model number......that's why I bought 3 pairs after the first pair felt amazing
  • Rockindreamer
    Rockindreamer Posts: 78
    Thanks for all this great feedback! Gosh, I love MFP! You people rock! =D
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I have a Polar FT7 and I like it a lot... very easy to use/set up and the strap is comfortable. If you are looking to track milage with running, go for the FT60 as it has a GPS in it.

    I'm not a runner, so I can't be of any help there :)
  • ilikejam33
    ilikejam33 Posts: 252 Member
    HRM= FT4 I love mine.

    As for the shoes id recommend going to a running store and getting fit. You dont need to even buy theshoes there (some times they are more) but the staff will help you understand why a particular fit or brand is better for you.

    I wear asics 1160s (each yesr the number goes uo so last year they were the 1150's) and i love them i would highly recommend them but i have high arches so they may not be good for someone who doesnt. No one person can really recommend its got to come down to what fits your foot right.

    a few months a go i found some really cute (bright purple) asics on sale and i bought them even though they were not the 1100 series they were a differnt model, and they felt good in the store.

    I hate them, they hurt to ru in, the heel cup is about 1 cm too high and is contastantly bugging me.

    Be your own judge and take as long as you need in the store dont get rushed into buying something.


    Good Luck :smile:
  • Rockindreamer
    Rockindreamer Posts: 78
    I think I am going to go with the Polar for now, I am not a runner (At least not yet) and cost is definitely a factor.

    I will research stores that fit for shoes, as I have always gone and just bought what felt right in the store at the time and I am always wrong and i hate sneakers because of it! Im a flippy floppys and sandals kinda girl haha I have high arches as well!
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    I have the polar ft4. I LOVE it! It is really comfortable, easy to read, and easy to use. Some of the straps on the HRM can be very uncomfortable! I had looked at the FT7 but I didn't need the extras. I just run and do workouts at home (currently doing Insanity!)

    As for shoes, I love my Nike Frees. They are a minimalist shoe. Not to heavy but they still have support. I find them very comfortable. I have not been able to run for a little while due to my knee. I cannot wait to start running again. As for shoes, I would recommend going to a shoe store, so they can fit you. They will watch how you walk, how your feet are placed, and make a recommendation from there.

    I hope that helps
    Jen
  • Susanpv
    Susanpv Posts: 37 Member
    I just ordered the FT4 from Amazon for $63.03....no shipping or tax
  • DanaM810
    DanaM810 Posts: 60 Member
    You definitely want the Polar FT4. I cannot speak for the FT7, but I love my 4. I bought it on amazon, for about $60 as opposed to the $100 Polar charges for it on their website. The chest strap is super comfortable. I like the bronze color I bought it in...it blends in with your skin tone. =)

    As for shoes, if you plan on doing any running, Asics are some of the best...definitely the runners shoe of choice. If you have a specialty running store by you at all, they can fit you and tell you exactly what kind of shoe you should be wearing depending on the way you walk and how you pronate. Good luck =)
  • jessicarn76
    jessicarn76 Posts: 94 Member
    I have the polar FT4 and love it also. So easy to used. I thought the chest strap would bother me but I can't even tell it's on. I just put up under my sports bra base.

    As for shoes- like everyone else has said, get fitted at a running store. When I started training for a half marathon, that's the first thing I did. I ended up with Mizuno's.
  • jessicarn76
    jessicarn76 Posts: 94 Member
    I have the polar FT4 and love it also. So easy to used. I thought the chest strap would bother me but I can't even tell it's on. I just put up under my sports bra base.

    As for shoes- like everyone else has said, get fitted at a running store. When I started training for a half marathon, that's the first thing I did. I ended up with Mizuno's.
  • Rockindreamer
    Rockindreamer Posts: 78
    What is the difference between the FT4 and the FT7? Besides price lol
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    What is the difference between the FT4 and the FT7? Besides price lol

    FT4 only holds 10 workouts while the FT7 holds 99. FT7 allows you to upload the data to your computer with the optional flow link attachment while the FT4 does not and the FT7 tells you what "zone" you are in, either fat burning or fitness, while the FT4 just tells what heart rate you should be in-between.
  • Rockindreamer
    Rockindreamer Posts: 78
    I got SHOES!!! =D So I went and got fitted, Really glad I did. The reason my feet hurt is 1. I have an unparalleled gate, I pronate to compensate. Plus I was wearing a size too small!!! Most shoes I am a 9, i guess with sneakers I am a 10! He said as I lose weight, that will likely change tho lol

    Sooooo excited! I am ordering the Polar FT4 off amazon for now. I can't justify the extra expense right now for the higher model.

    Thank you everyone for your wonderful feedback and advice!
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