Is a HRM Really Worth it?

BUMP! I'd like to know about this too. HRMs seem to be so expensive, and complicated, and I'd love something simple I can use with my iPhone.

I spent about $100 on one about a year ago but it is complicated and I barely ever use it. The logic behind using it makes total sense, but for me at the point I'm not sure it is worth the hassle. I am pretty out of shape still despite a month of exercising and I have a pretty good idea when my body is working at 75-80%. It isn't hard to get it there at the moment. As I get in better shape I probably will take the time to figure it out and start using it again just so I can see where to push myself. I think this all depends on what exactly you are trying to do.

I got a really cheapo HRM off amazon for like $30.00 it works pretty well but doesn't tell me calories burned so I have this crazy long formula to figure it out, but what I burn is way over what MFP has in the data base. So if I'm feeling stingy I'll use the calories burned from HRM but normally I just use whats in the database here.

I got warned off the Polar Bluetooth one you can use with phone apps, apparently it doesn't work that well.

I used HRMs for years, but honestly I've made much more progress using rate of perceived exertion (RPE), plus I get out if the house much faster (or at all!) if I don't have to faff around with gadgets.

I got warned off the Polar Bluetooth one you can use with phone apps, apparently it doesn't work that well.

I used HRMs for years, but honestly I've made much more progress using rate of perceived exertion (RPE), plus I get out if the house much faster (or at all!) if I don't have to faff around with gadgets.

^^ This

Sometimes its easy to get obsessed with more and more gadgety goodness, when all you need to do is just get out of the house and start running. RPE is an easy way to judge exercise without messing about with an HRM.

For me it was all about math and maximizing my efficiency. I agree, getting up and moving is the best thing, so you dont actually NEED an HRM. All you need is a pair of running shoes and the will to do it. For me personally though, I need the daily math to remain motivated. I have a polar FT60 that has a bunch of features, but I really only use it to ensure I am maximizing the efficiency of my workouts, and to see how many calories I burned so I can log it in my diary. I can trust the numbers from the HRM more than the ones from MFP or the machines at the gym. So, my advice is you dont need one, and can work out fine without it, but its a really useful tool to have if you like to play the numbers game.

I've been happy with my progress using MFP's estimates, so I never felt a need to get a HRM.

I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back because they were just way to complicated and only did the calorie burn while running or walking. I finally got a Polar FT4 and love it. It does have a chest strap, but it is so easy to use and it does one thing. It measures your heart rate and tells your calorie burn. It will calculate your target rates and such, but it takes minuted for initial set up and a push of a button and your ready. I like this one because I can use it for weights, running or anything. Don't have to be moving, just need a heartbeat.

ditto!

I love mine, its probably old school compared to what is available....but its the strap I wear right below my bra line, CANT EVEN TELL ITS THERE.....with the watchband/monitor worn on the wrist.....and I found it used on Craigslist, was still in box with directions and everything for $30, I thought well at least this way if I dont like it or just dont use it I wont have a huge investment in it. Its made by Polar. Same brand I used with a personal trainer some years ago.....I love it. :bigsmile:

I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back because they were just way to complicated and only did the calorie burn while running or walking. I finally got a Polar FT4 and love it. It does have a chest strap, but it is so easy to use and it does one thing. It measures your heart rate and tells your calorie burn. It will calculate your target rates and such, but it takes minuted for initial set up and a push of a button and your ready. I like this one because I can use it for weights, running or anything. Don't have to be moving, just need a heartbeat.

^^^This! I love my Polar FT4. Keeps me honest with my calorie burn.

Just relying on RPE has worked fine for me so far.

I bought a HRM (Polar) from Meijer for like $35-40….can’t remember exactly how much. It was the cheapest version. It doesn’t do anything fancy, but it tells me my average heart rate for the duration of my workout…and I look at it while I’m working out to gauge whether I need to kick it up or slow down. Once I know my avg. HR I just use Shape Sense…..where I plug in my sex/age/weight/avg heart rate/duration of workout (and there’s a second form where you can enter your VO2 Max as well) and it’s spits back my calories burned. I’ve used the long calculation and done the math myself and got the exact same answer so I trust it. I’ve found that MFP either underestimates or overestimates calories burned by a significant amount. I eat back my workout calories so I wanna know how much I can eat…I like to eat….so if MFP tells me I can only eat 200 more calories (which according to my HRM is wrong), then I’m a sad panda.

So I’d say I think it’s definitely a good investment.

Give this a look for the iphone crowd...

Bluetooth, no attachement needed for this hrm to work.

http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/running-accessories/wahoo-fitness-bluehr-heart-rate-monitor-strap/

i like it because when i begin to start eatting my exercise calories back i will have a more accurate amount ive actually burned. ive noticed that mfp numbers are sooo much higher than what i actually burned. so i got one that way im not over eatting my "exercise cals"