Heart rate monitor recommendations
BeezBeez
Posts: 41 Member
Hi folks. I'm looking for recommendations for a fairly accurate heart rate monitor at a decent price. I bought a cheap-o one and used it for a day, but the readings are wildly inaccurate (compared to me taking my own pulse). I'd like to keep in under $100. I realize a better one costs more, but I'm just looking for something that will get me in the ballpark to be able to calculate my effort level/ calories burned and my budget is small. Thanks!
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What sort of activities are you doing? If budget is an issue, you may not actually get any value from it.0
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I'm using a rowing machine. The computer readout doesn't have much useful information -- just time and number of strokes -- so I don't have any other real measurement of my effort. I'm taking my pulse when I'm done or if I take breaks right now, but I'd rather be able to keep an eye on it while I'm working.0
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I guess while we're doing this, if anyone has a recommendation for a great heart rate monitor not on a budget I'll take that too. I might not be able to get it right now, but I'll keep it in mind.0
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You will get what you pay for, unfortunately, in this space. Anything less than a Fitbit or Garmin usually will have you wondering if it's accurate. Xiaomi's Mi band is a cheap monitor but it's not known for its accuracy.0
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Heart rate does not equal calories burned. Nothing is going to be super accurate no matter how much you pay. The ones that get close are basing it off of other factors as well (what exercise you are doing, how much you way, how long you exercise, etc).
Cheap and accurate would be something like a Polar strap that connects to your phone. Last time I bought one it was way under $100.0 -
I recommend the Polar brand heart rate monitor band with calorie counting watch. I paid about 65 dollars for mine on amazon a few years ago.2
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I'm using a rowing machine. The computer readout doesn't have much useful information -- just time and number of strokes -- so I don't have any other real measurement of my effort. I'm taking my pulse when I'm done or if I take breaks right now, but I'd rather be able to keep an eye on it while I'm working.
Ok, so if you're doing distance at a steady pace then an HRM might give you some data. If you vary your pace then the value reduces significantly.
With all that in mind, Polar and Wahoo do BLE straps that pair with an app. They're cheap enough that it's not too much of an issue.0 -
Polar seems like the consensus then. Thanks, folks!0
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In my experience, YMMV regardless of the HR monitor you own. I have a Polar H7 which I bought back in June of 2016 to specifically to use with UA Record, which plays nicely with MFP. The chest strap is nice, never have had any issues pairing to my phone or anything. However, I find even this well-regarded HR monitor to overestimate my calorie burn by a good bit when compared with my observed TDEE. Tracked via a spreadsheet, my TDEE averages out to just over 2400. I'll spare the details on the math but the observed impact of my workouts works out to ~450 calories, though the Polar would routinely give me 800-900 calories. Subsequently, I spent too much time spinning my wheels not losing enough weight because I was simply eating too many of my exercise workout calories.0
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I'm a fan of the Wahoo puck/strap. The Tickr line starts around $50 and can pair with your phone via BLE or your garmin via ANT+3
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In my experience, YMMV regardless of the HR monitor you own. I have a Polar H7 which I bought back in June of 2016 to specifically to use with UA Record, which plays nicely with MFP. The chest strap is nice, never have had any issues pairing to my phone or anything. However, I find even this well-regarded HR monitor to overestimate my calorie burn by a good bit when compared with my observed TDEE. Tracked via a spreadsheet, my TDEE averages out to just over 2400. I'll spare the details on the math but the observed impact of my workouts works out to ~450 calories, though the Polar would routinely give me 800-900 calories. Subsequently, I spent too much time spinning my wheels not losing enough weight because I was simply eating too many of my exercise workout calories.
It is not the strap doing the calculations. It is the app. Each app will have its own ideas about what is correct. See my point earlier in this thread. They are all pretty much guestimates. IMO, unless you are using it for training save your money.0 -
In my experience, YMMV regardless of the HR monitor you own. I have a Polar H7 which I bought back in June of 2016 to specifically to use with UA Record, which plays nicely with MFP. The chest strap is nice, never have had any issues pairing to my phone or anything. However, I find even this well-regarded HR monitor to overestimate my calorie burn by a good bit when compared with my observed TDEE. Tracked via a spreadsheet, my TDEE averages out to just over 2400. I'll spare the details on the math but the observed impact of my workouts works out to ~450 calories, though the Polar would routinely give me 800-900 calories. Subsequently, I spent too much time spinning my wheels not losing enough weight because I was simply eating too many of my exercise workout calories.
It is not the strap doing the calculations. It is the app. Each app will have its own ideas about what is correct. See my point earlier in this thread. They are all pretty much guestimates. IMO, unless you are using it for training save your money.
Indeed. The original question is figuratively What's the best type of screwdriver to use when I'm levelling slabs?1 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »Indeed. The original question is figuratively What's the best type of screwdriver to use when I'm levelling slabs?
Nah, the original question was What's the best type of heart rate monitor to use when I'm monitoring my heart rate?
Seriously, though, I'm just looking for a little help quantifying the workout I'm doing. I want to be sure I'm rowing hard enough to get my heart rate up into my target zone. That's it. I'm less concerned about the calories and more concerned about the heart rate.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »Indeed. The original question is figuratively What's the best type of screwdriver to use when I'm levelling slabs?
Nah, the original question was What's the best type of heart rate monitor to use when I'm monitoring my heart rate?
Seriously, though, I'm just looking for a little help quantifying the workout I'm doing. I want to be sure I'm rowing hard enough to get my heart rate up into my target zone. That's it. I'm less concerned about the calories and more concerned about the heart rate.
Zone training is of limited value as well, unless you're preparing for competition. And given you're not using a Concept, that's unlikely.3 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »Indeed. The original question is figuratively What's the best type of screwdriver to use when I'm levelling slabs?
Nah, the original question was What's the best type of heart rate monitor to use when I'm monitoring my heart rate?
Seriously, though, I'm just looking for a little help quantifying the workout I'm doing. I want to be sure I'm rowing hard enough to get my heart rate up into my target zone. That's it. I'm less concerned about the calories and more concerned about the heart rate.
Could you not just do that with pace or some other metric the readout does provide?0 -
As I mentioned above, the readout on my machine does not provide any useful metric beyond time and number of strokes, which really tells me next to nothing. I want a way to somewhat quantify my intensity.
Thank you to the folks who provided recommendations. I appreciate it.0 -
I hate chest straps. I've never had one that lasted through more than 6-8 months of daily running. Wash it, don't wash it. Shower with it, don't shower with it. Spit on it, don't spit on it. Nothing changes that equation by much, 6-8 months and I have to buy a new strap. Admittedly, I'm a sweater (the kind that produces lots of sweat, not the kind you knit) but I was tired of buying those $35 straps. And I tried various Polar models and a Zephyr so I don't think my problem was with a specific brand. They just don't last for me.
A couple of years ago I bought a Scosche Rhythm+ and I have had zero problems with it. The velcro on the arm band finally wore out but that was after two years and a replacement was $5 instead of the $35 for a new chest strap. And it's $80.1 -
stanmann571 wrote: »I'm a fan of the Wahoo puck/strap. The Tickr line starts around $50 and can pair with your phone via BLE or your garmin via ANT+
Was going to say exactly this. I have the Tickr X, and there really is no need for anything else.
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Polar has some very good cheaper models that will do exactly as the name of the device says they should do - monitor the HR.
1 step up but still below your $100 and you'll get a better Zone alarm for if/when that might be useful.
And many pieces of exercise equipment still have means to read the HR sending unit and display the info too.
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I've used one variation or another of a Polar for at least 10 years. I love it. I find the heart rate to be accurate. So accurate that it helped diagnose a condition called SVT, which causes the heart rate to spike. Had I not worn my heart rate monitor, I wouldn't have had a clue that my heart rate was so high. I'll never work out again without wearing it.
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stanmann571 wrote: »I'm a fan of the Wahoo puck/strap. The Tickr line starts around $50 and can pair with your phone via BLE or your garmin via ANT+
Was going to say exactly this. I have the Tickr X, and there really is no need for anything else.
The new Tickr forearm one is supposed to be very very good. And because in broadcasts via BLE and Ant+ some machines will pick it up and failing that you can pair it to pretty much any fitness app and log your hR that way
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fittocycle wrote: »I've used one variation or another of a Polar for at least 10 years. I love it. I find the heart rate to be accurate. So accurate that it helped diagnose a condition called SVT, which causes the heart rate to spike. Had I not worn my heart rate monitor, I wouldn't have had a clue that my heart rate was so high. I'll never work out again without wearing it.
Wow, that's a great testimonial! Which model do you use?0 -
If you're just looking to monitor HR, then most anything based off a chest strap sensor will probably be good enough. Garmin will provide you the most data in the best tool/layout. Suunto is probably second, then Polar. Whether that data is meaningful/beneficial to you over the basic data you can get from fitbit and the like is up to you.0
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BeezBeez, I use a fairly basic model- maybe the FT7? Not a lot of bells and whistles but it does its job and it’s very affordable too!0
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I use Polar, and I like it so far. It's beyond your budget, but, well, it's gonna work for you for years!
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Generally the monitors you wear around the chest on a strap are likely to be better as they work detecting your hearts electrical impulses. I have a myzone belt which is very good1
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stanmann571 wrote: »I'm a fan of the Wahoo puck/strap. The Tickr line starts around $50 and can pair with your phone via BLE or your garmin via ANT+
Was going to say exactly this. I have the Tickr X, and there really is no need for anything else.
The new Tickr forearm one is supposed to be very very good. And because in broadcasts via BLE and Ant+ some machines will pick it up and failing that you can pair it to pretty much any fitness app and log your hR that way
Perfectly fine, but overpriced. Polar OH1 (I think that's the name) and Scosche Rhythm+ do more for a lower price and are perfectly accurate2 -
I hate chest straps. I've never had one that lasted through more than 6-8 months of daily running. Wash it, don't wash it. Shower with it, don't shower with it. Spit on it, don't spit on it. Nothing changes that equation by much, 6-8 months and I have to buy a new strap. Admittedly, I'm a sweater (the kind that produces lots of sweat, not the kind you knit) but I was tired of buying those $35 straps. And I tried various Polar models and a Zephyr so I don't think my problem was with a specific brand. They just don't last for me.
A couple of years ago I bought a Scosche Rhythm+ and I have had zero problems with it. The velcro on the arm band finally wore out but that was after two years and a replacement was $5 instead of the $35 for a new chest strap. And it's $80.
You can get replacement chest straps for $7-10, although I've found that the better quality straps tend to last longer(I've got a garmin that I paid 35 for that's still ticking after a year) I do keep the cheap ones around for when my good one is being washed. even the cheap once are good for 4-6 months. and they're not nearly as sensitive to placement as the schosche are.0 -
I've just bought the Tickr X last week although there was a cheaper one just the Tickr, either would be perfectly fine for you and I'm finding it useful with my workouts, it has all the zone info, plus heart rate calories etc. It works on a rowing machine, treadmill, circuits etc. Its nice because you can see the effort you put in in numbers. Sometimes your good and sometimes your not, it also feeds into MFP as well. I think it was worth it for me after a weeks usage and I'm new to this.1
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If you're just looking to monitor HR, then most anything based off a chest strap sensor will probably be good enough. Garmin will provide you the most data in the best tool/layout. Suunto is probably second, then Polar. Whether that data is meaningful/beneficial to you over the basic data you can get from fitbit and the like is up to you.
Just to clarify things (though I think someone else may have done so earlier), no matter the arm or chest strap you use, that strap isn't actually storing information (with very few exceptions). The information is being broadcasted via ANT+, bluetooth, and/or whatever Polar's less than third party friendly system is called. You'll get the same HR data from all of them, how the device you're using to pick up that data uses and displays it is a whole other issue.
For example, it doesn't matter if I use a Scosche, Wahoo, or Garmin HR monitor, they'll all broadcast to my Garmin devices via ANT+ and that information will be displayed in Garmin Connect the same. Some of those HR monitors might also do other things, like rebroadcast other ANT+ plus sensors over bluetooth, show your color coded HR zone on the device, or measure and broadcast running dynamics, almost none of them are storing the data on the device.0
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