Heart Rate Monitor Recommendations?

caritiger
caritiger Posts: 82 Member
edited December 18 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been pondering a HRM for a while now, but have hesitated due to higher prices and inexperience using them. I find myself questioning the burn that is listed on some of the exercises in the database, and I am hoping an HRM will give me more accurate data. What has been your experience with these monitors? Are they worth the investment? Any particular type that is recommended more? Any features I should look for?

I found a Timex on Amazon that looks pretty good and is on sale. Reviews are overall positive, but I am still not sure!

Oh, and how about HRM vs. Fitbit? I keep hearing a lot about those, too!

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I have the FitBit AND the Polar ft4 HRM. I love them both. When I was looking into the HRM it was recommended to get one w/a chest strap (which the Polar does). It is super easy to use.

    FitBit is like a fancy pedometer. If you do mostly walking it is great. It doesn't work well for tracking things like weight lifting, balance ball, etc where you're not moving your feet as much. It is really motivating to get you walking though!
  • ginamc04
    ginamc04 Posts: 113 Member
    I have the Polar FT4 too and love it.

    I got mine on Amazon and it wasn't too expensive (can't remember exactly how much) If you can wait a little while, you can use Swagbucks to earn points and then for every 450, you can cash them into Amazon gift cards. I was able to save $25 off of my HR monitor! (and then on a lot of other things too)
  • KendleX
    KendleX Posts: 275 Member
    I picked up a Polar FT7 and so far love it. It saves up to 99 workout session which contains the duration, calories burnt, average rate and max rate.

    The chest strap is comfortable and doesn't get in the way.

    It was purchased for $87.

    My wife has a fitbit and the downside of it is that it doesn't record the intensity of the workout.
  • OSC_ESD
    OSC_ESD Posts: 752 Member
    I have the Polar F4 and my boyfriend has the Polar F7 ... we both love them ! The F4 is more basic and is a great one to start out with ... if your interested in more " options " ... the F7 is great ! :smile:
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    I have a Timex Ironman Triathlon-- it works fantastic so far, and measures my HR accurately, as far as I can tell.
  • downsizedanno
    downsizedanno Posts: 17
    My first HRM was a Timex, and it was a piece of junk. Get a Polar; they are the benchmark in the HRM industry. Go to their website to pick one out. They've got a great comparison chart detailing all of the different monitors that they produce. When you're ready to buy I would look at Amazon, and at heartratemonitorsusa.com. I bought both of my Polar HRMs at the second website that I mentioned, and they had the best prices around at the time (including Amazon).
  • ayoubm3949
    ayoubm3949 Posts: 81
    I work at a sports store that sells them, from my knowledge I'd have to say go with suunto :)
    it also comes with the waist belt so it's very precise
  • caritiger
    caritiger Posts: 82 Member
    THANKS so much for the recommendations. I will pass on the Timex, I think, and check out the varieties you all have mentioned! Awesome! I just really want a better representation of what I am actually burning! :)
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