What HRM do you use?

SusanleeBee
SusanleeBee Posts: 144 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking for a reliable heart rate monitor, but I'd really prefer not to spend a lot of money. What do you suggest?
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Replies

  • ginamcoyle
    ginamcoyle Posts: 70
    Me too, literally just posted a thread right before I saw this. I had no idea they were so expensive!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    They are expensive, but if you shop around you can find them at a decent price. Search the boards here for HRM - there are tons of topics about them full of lots of information and recommendations.

    I have a New Balance N4 - retails for $70 at Target, less on Amazon - but I found mine brand new on eBay for $26.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    You can't go wrong with the Polar FT series - just get one with a chest strap.
  • Newfiegirl1971
    Newfiegirl1971 Posts: 8 Member
    bump
  • mittensofdoom
    mittensofdoom Posts: 69 Member
    I am also interested in a HRM with a calorie counter but there are over 1000 on Amazon! I do Beach Body Insanity and P90X so I don't even get the benefit of a crappy treadmill counter.

    I was thinking of getting this model: http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Sports-PHRM38GR-Monitor-Calories/dp/B006QP069S/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1332701547&sr=8-22 Pretty cheap and if it doesn't work well Amazon will always refund it and I will move up to a more expensive monitor.
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 that comes with the strap. Bought it on amazon.com but dont remember the price. My dietician also recommended the Polar FT series.
  • ginamcoyle
    ginamcoyle Posts: 70
    I've read a bunch on the Polar FT series, I've been trying to get one cheap on amazon/eBay. I'm going to look into the New Balance one too.
  • new2locs
    new2locs Posts: 271 Member
    I just ordered one today on groupon.com normally priced at $100 I got it for $39. We'll see how it does.
  • Heidi_M78
    Heidi_M78 Posts: 143 Member
    I just got the Garmin FR60 <it comes with a foot pod (like a pedometre)
  • fitmom_pam1976
    fitmom_pam1976 Posts: 1,192 Member
    Polar :)
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    Another vote for Polar FT4 here. Got mine on amazon for around $65 for Christmas. Whatever you get make certain it has a chest strap!
  • manda1002
    manda1002 Posts: 178 Member
    i just bought the FT7 last night and so far i love it. i'm wearing it all day today to get a read on what a typical day is for me.
  • nmzeta
    nmzeta Posts: 381 Member
    Timex Personal Trainer - $35 from MrWatch.com
  • Lib_B
    Lib_B Posts: 446 Member
    Got a Polar FT40 on amazon (has all sorts of functions and i LOVE it). just slightly over $100.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I use a Polar FT7. I got a good deal on Amazon.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I am also interested in a HRM with a calorie counter but there are over 1000 on Amazon! I do Beach Body Insanity and P90X so I don't even get the benefit of a crappy treadmill counter.

    I was thinking of getting this model: http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Sports-PHRM38GR-Monitor-Calories/dp/B006QP069S/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1332701547&sr=8-22 Pretty cheap and if it doesn't work well Amazon will always refund it and I will move up to a more expensive monitor.

    You better check the return policy, because most HRMs are not returnable....due to the fact that you wore it while sweating and they can't resell it. I bought my Polar FT4 on Amazon, and I can't return it (not that I want to).

    My friend bought that Pyle and hers quit working after 2 days. She bought a Polar FT4 like I have and it's working great. Don't waste money on a cheap HRM....it's better to buy a good one once.
  • janeinspain
    janeinspain Posts: 173 Member
    I've been using the Polar FT7 since December and it's great! I fully recommend it. I got it from amazon, but I don't remember the price.
  • tllstaco
    tllstaco Posts: 133 Member
    I just got a Polar FT7 from Amazon for $78 and free shipping last week.
  • courtneymal17
    courtneymal17 Posts: 672 Member
    I have a polar ft7 and it's excellent. I would highly reccomend it, but it's a bit pricey. They do have cheaper models however. When you buy it, make sure you get one with a chest strap...it's far more accurate
  • rlv2680
    rlv2680 Posts: 289 Member
    I have tried a couple different ones.
    I wasn't satisfied untill i got the polar FT4. DEFINATLY worth the money i promise
  • xXKatrinaXx
    xXKatrinaXx Posts: 234
    Polar FT4 LOVE it!
  • turbophoenix
    turbophoenix Posts: 152
    I have a Timex and am considering upgrading to a Polar FT4. I think the Timex is fine but the FT4 gets such rave reviews... Plus I've had my Timex so long I think it might be on the way out!!
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Polar FT60 is AMAZING! I love love love mine! X
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I would concentrate on the Polar FT series..... I personally use the FT60 from Polar and love it.... Worth every bit of the 130 bucks I spent on it....
  • spottedlee
    spottedlee Posts: 372
    Chest strap was stressed over and over throughout the forum. Some HRMs have build-in heart rate in the watches so I am not sure what's the difference,, If the watch has a rate monitor, why the strap?
  • Lmkurtz725
    Lmkurtz725 Posts: 21
    Garmin Forerunner 610. I bought the watch on eBay and then bought the heart rate monitor at REI. REI has a great return policy. The watch was $285 (worth EVERY penny because of what it's capable of) and the HRM was $69,
  • mittensofdoom
    mittensofdoom Posts: 69 Member
    I am also interested in a HRM with a calorie counter but there are over 1000 on Amazon! I do Beach Body Insanity and P90X so I don't even get the benefit of a crappy treadmill counter.

    I was thinking of getting this model: http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Sports-PHRM38GR-Monitor-Calories/dp/B006QP069S/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1332701547&sr=8-22 Pretty cheap and if it doesn't work well Amazon will always refund it and I will move up to a more expensive monitor.

    You better check the return policy, because most HRMs are not returnable....due to the fact that you wore it while sweating and they can't resell it. I bought my Polar FT4 on Amazon, and I can't return it (not that I want to).

    My friend bought that Pyle and hers quit working after 2 days. She bought a Polar FT4 like I have and it's working great. Don't waste money on a cheap HRM....it's better to buy a good one once.

    I read lots of reviews, several of which said they returned various models. The key seems to be testing the monitor while you're resting (ie not sweating). I'd love to purchase something more expensive and proven (like Polar apparently) but I'm a medical student and my entire education and living expenses are financed by Uncle Sam thus I don't have extra money for fancy gadgetry. But my weight loss has plateaued and I thought this might be a good way to more accurately track calories and reinvigorate my workout.
  • mtnmchgrl
    mtnmchgrl Posts: 20
    I did a TON of research on the threads on here and Amazon reviews. I got the Polar FT7 and have been happy with it so far. I ordered it through Bodytronics, which several people on here recommended. It was a good bit cheaper than other sites.
  • SusanleeBee
    SusanleeBee Posts: 144 Member
    Okay, the Polar it is!
  • Rachelito
    Rachelito Posts: 119 Member
    I ordered the Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor on amazon for 36. I havent used it yet to say how well it works though.

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