Different heart rate monitors...

Ireshgurl
Ireshgurl Posts: 559
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So i've been perusing the threads to get more info on heart rate monitors, but now i have more questions then answers. It seems like most people prefer the type with chest strap, but there's also the watch like monitors and to top it off, mens and womens (polar). I don't need anything fancy that tracks my gps and all that jazz (i have my iphone 4 that), i just want something to keep track of my heart rate and calories burned, pretty much. So my question is should I get one with a chest strap or go for the women's watch like monitor, or do i even need it to be a womans?? Help!!

Replies

  • candykay89
    candykay89 Posts: 110 Member
    I have the Polar FT7, my friends suggested it. It comes with the chest strap which is not complicated to use. I love it, believe it is very accurate and will recommend it if you so chose.
  • jbrown78
    jbrown78 Posts: 78 Member
    I bought a Timex with no strap and returned it! Once your wrist got sweaty it would not take you heart rate. I am looking into the Polar FT4 (womans). You can find them a little cheaper on Ebay.
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    Bottom Line is that for a HRM to be accurate (although nothing is perfect) it must take a CONSTANT reading of your heart rate. the watch only kind cannot do that, only the chest strap types can.

    I have the POLAR FT4 ladies and my hubbs has the mens but as long as you put in YOUR stats and info, it will accurate for you. I believe the difference is more about the style of watch/receiver but i am not sure.

    I really suggest getting a good one with a strap as they don't cost that much mosre and I'll ad that all of my friends who started with the watch only style eventually were let down and bought one with a chest strap!

    Best of Luck!
  • ecronick
    ecronick Posts: 289 Member
    From the research i've been doing a chest strap is a must. Without it your only getting heart rate transmission when you touch the watch, and thus it bases the calorie estimation off of when you touch the watch. Plus you're going to want one that you can input your age, weight, height, and gender for an accurate calorie estimation. Hope this helps.
  • lilybug13
    lilybug13 Posts: 154
    The chest strap is generally in addition to a watch. I have the woman's polar FT4, and it keeps track of calories burned, heart hate and any given time, average and max HR for a work out and it keeps a log of about my most recent 15 workouts. It also has a few other things, but I use it for my time and calories burned mostly. I really like it a lot. It was pretty reasonably priced (about $60 on Amazon). I would definitely recommend it.
  • chicago_dad
    chicago_dad Posts: 357
    Garmin 305 = awesome and relatively inexpensive now that the newer model came out. check out this thorough independent review and the Q and A after it -- particularly re tracking calories:

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2007/11/review-of-garmin-forerunner-305.html
  • r_stapleton2
    r_stapleton2 Posts: 4
    I have the PolarFT4 .... LoVe iT !!!
  • juggalotus
    juggalotus Posts: 227
    I LOVE my polar FT4! It has a chest strap which i love. It's simple to use, and the strap is comfortable. I would highly recommend the polar ft4.
  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    I thought about the Polar FT4, but decided against it after reading this:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/331402-problems-with-polar-ft4?hl=polar+ft4#posts-4456563

    and seeing how expensive they are.

    I bought the New Balance N4, and I love it. It was cheaper, and had all the same features. I use my iPhone for GPS and stuff too, and the N4 was a great way to just monitor calories burned. It has a chest strap, but is super comfy. I got it for about $55 on Amazon.
  • chedges9090
    chedges9090 Posts: 208 Member
    Love my Polar. Can't recall which one I have.. but, it is NOT the fancy one. Has a watch and chest strap. Watch is water proof and the chest strap is comfortable. AWESOME... and not expensive.
  • Ireshgurl
    Ireshgurl Posts: 559
    Now, do the Polar monitors come with both the wrist and chest strap? I'm looking on Amazon and they don't really give any details and i don't want to pay almost $100 if it doesn't.
  • tanyaMax
    tanyaMax Posts: 524 Member
    I have the polar T31 have had it for about 3 years. never have i had a problem with it. I LOVE IT! easy to use. i highly recommend it.
    it is a chest strap with a watch

    EDIT: i wasn't even aware that there is one for men and women. you just input your gender, height, age and weight on mine :0)

    BEST INVESMENT EVERRR
  • tanyaMax
    tanyaMax Posts: 524 Member
    Yes. chest strap and watch
    Now, do the Polar monitors come with both the wrist and chest strap? I'm looking on Amazon and they don't really give any details and i don't want to pay almost $100 if it doesn't.
  • olso123
    olso123 Posts: 192 Member
    I did a lot of research on the HRM's and I recently purchased the PolarF7 for women. You definitely want one with a chest strap. Several people suggested I get the PolarF7 vs the PolarF4 because you can change the battery yourself on the chest strap....my understanding is that on some of the other Polar models you have to send the unit back to the dealer to get the battery changed. I got the women's because I have very slim wrists and the women's watch fits me great....it has a nice adjustable band. The chest strap is comfortable and adjustable. I checked around for prices and found amazon had the best price.

    Hope this helps and good luck with your HRM purchase.
  • dorisholaway
    dorisholaway Posts: 531 Member
    I have a watch type without a chest strap and it works fine. But what I really reccomend is a gofitwear by body media. It is an armband that you wear all day and night. It does not have a hrm but it tracks every step you take, all calories you burn and how well you sleep at night. A hrm is only for while you do excersise and stuff but the gowearfit is for all day. I bought my second hand through ebay. I truly love it. You can check out information on it at www.gowearfit.com
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