Buying a heart rate monitor - any suggestions?

Fishing4Stars
Fishing4Stars Posts: 46
edited October 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I need to buy a heart rate monitor, as I've finally got my bike set up on a trainer at home and need to have some numbers to guide my workout. I'm leaning towards the Timex Zone Trainer, as you can change batteries in all the parts of Timex HRMs yourself, but there are mixed reviews online - I am especially worried about reviews that the watches only record hour-long workouts. (I'm training for a bike trip and have some 3-5 hours rides coming up and want info...)

Does anyone have a HRM they love, or any suggestions about brands or features that are/aren't worth having?

Replies

  • rockchalkgrove
    rockchalkgrove Posts: 44 Member
    You can't go wrong with a POLAR! My model is old and discontinued but I haven't had any problems with it in the 3 years I have been using it. I just bought my husband a POLAR for Christmas too!
  • thcri
    thcri Posts: 459 Member
    I am not familiar with the Polar products but have heard nothing but good things about them. But I will suggest since you talk of your bike and trainer to get something that will monitor cadence also or has the ability to add later.

    I started out with a Garmin FR60 and spent about $125.00. Well it was a Christmas present to me from my kids. It is a wrist watch type with a Chest strap and comes with a Foot pod for running. If you run the foot pod is extremely nice as it counts your steps and miles ran. I also added a Cadence sensor for about $50.00 for biking. Probably way more than you want to spend but you don't need to buy it all at once. The cadence sensor not only gives me cadence but miles also. With it comes a Ant Stick for you to upload your workouts to Garmin Connect.

    Polar may have the same available for less just not sure on how much you want to spend.
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
    I have the FT60F by Polar. It's brilliant to be honest! It checks in with you too as in, progress etc and you can see a breakdown of your cals and mins in the 3 zones! In the UK I think they're about £130. Hope that helps!
  • Lisalisa_67
    Lisalisa_67 Posts: 18
    If you are going to spend money on a Polar, I would just get a Body Media Fit. It is one of the most accurate forms of tracking. Definitely do not get the S7 HRM that Walmart carries. It is not consistent.
  • Allyson1985
    Allyson1985 Posts: 148
    I love my Polar FT4.

    My only suggestion is to get one with a chest strap...they're way more accurate from my experience than just the watches.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    I also have a Garmin Forerunner I love it, It is more than just a HRM it does pacing for outdoors (it is also a GPS) has attachments for indoor track and or treadmill, but it does have a price tag along with it. If all you want is a HRM then this is a overkill for you. Great for outdoor activities.
  • oneIT
    oneIT Posts: 388 Member
    Polar FT4 off amazon for $60. Go get it!!
  • amerrill1
    amerrill1 Posts: 38
    I got the FT60 for Christmas. I read this blog (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472) and it guided me to products that I thought would be more accurate (VO2 issues). Anyway, I have only had it a short time...not even 2 weeks, but it seems very easy to work with and has a few advanced features. I mostly ride my bike nd it has the ability to add a GPS sensor and a foot pod if I choose to in the future. Polar is by far rated the best and so I haven't been dissappointed. Got it on ebay for around $120 (I think). Good luck!
  • Fishing4Stars
    Fishing4Stars Posts: 46
    I am not familiar with the Polar products but have heard nothing but good things about them. But I will suggest since you talk of your bike and trainer to get something that will monitor cadence also or has the ability to add later.

    I started out with a Garmin FR60 and spent about $125.00. Well it was a Christmas present to me from my kids. It is a wrist watch type with a Chest strap and comes with a Foot pod for running. If you run the foot pod is extremely nice as it counts your steps and miles ran. I also added a Cadence sensor for about $50.00 for biking. Probably way more than you want to spend but you don't need to buy it all at once. The cadence sensor not only gives me cadence but miles also. With it comes a Ant Stick for you to upload your workouts to Garmin Connect.

    Polar may have the same available for less just not sure on how much you want to spend.

    I do want all of those things eventually, but I'm going to need to buy them one at a time. :)
  • Fishing4Stars
    Fishing4Stars Posts: 46
    I got the FT60 for Christmas. I read this blog (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472) and it guided me to products that I thought would be more accurate (VO2 issues). Anyway, I have only had it a short time...not even 2 weeks, but it seems very easy to work with and has a few advanced features. I mostly ride my bike nd it has the ability to add a GPS sensor and a foot pod if I choose to in the future. Polar is by far rated the best and so I haven't been dissappointed. Good luck!

    That sounds great, I'll definitely check that one out. Sounds like Polar or Garmin are the go-to brands.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories