Good entry-level HRM that tracks calories.

saracatherine89
saracatherine89 Posts: 291 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone-

I've never used a heart rate monitor and I've been told not to trust my treadmill anymore. I am a bigger girl, so I typically give myself 150 calories per mile ran.

Can anyone recommend a good HRM, preferably a CHEAP ONE that will log my heart rate consistently (WITH A WIRELESS STRAP) and will tell me how many calories ive burned?

Thanks!

Replies

  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.

    I also use an FT4 and got it on Amazon.
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    Timex Ironman Triathlon-- got it on Amazon for about $70
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.

    I also use an FT4 and got it on Amazon.

    Ditto I love mine and so easy to use.
  • jpinge
    jpinge Posts: 71 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.

    I also use an FT4 and got it on Amazon.

    Ditto I love mine and so easy to use.

    ditto ditto....wonderful easy and i just love it!!
  • roxerella
    roxerella Posts: 80 Member
    I just got a Polar FT4. It is really easy to set up and use and does everything you say you want.
  • kikiwilkinson
    kikiwilkinson Posts: 76
    Hi doll.

    I just got a Pyle from Amazon for 26 bucks and free shipping. I absolutely LOVE it.
    Hi everyone-

    I've never used a heart rate monitor and I've been told not to trust my treadmill anymore. I am a bigger girl, so I typically give myself 150 calories per mile ran.

    Can anyone recommend a good HRM, preferably a CHEAP ONE that will log my heart rate consistently (WITH A WIRELESS STRAP) and will tell me how many calories ive burned?

    Thanks!
  • MeeshKB
    MeeshKB Posts: 120 Member
    Another vote for the FT4 here. I love mine.
  • butterflylover527
    butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
    Love my FT 4
  • Ashleyann72
    Ashleyann72 Posts: 59 Member
    I have a Sportline Cardio 630. It was $49 at a sporting goods store. I love it and it works well for me!
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    I got a Sportline SX Elite from Walmart for $50. It comes with a chest strap and got great reviews online. I just got it yesterday but I love it so far! And it seems very accurate, pretty consistant with what I was estimating before, actually.

    I've been told never to spend less than $40 on a HRM so I wouldn't go cheaper than that.
  • cheeky1095
    cheeky1095 Posts: 83 Member
    I got mine this evening. Kelly Holmes HRM & pedometer watch from tesco direct £26 & was easy to set up ready for tomoz workout
  • MegSommer
    MegSommer Posts: 522 Member
    I have a garmin FR60. Very easy to use and pretty cheap if i remember correctly.
  • em435
    em435 Posts: 210 Member
    bump to read later
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Polar FT4 is going to be the best you can get, for a little amount of money.

    Timex in my opinion is awful at estimating calories burned.. so if that is a concern, then I wouldn't pick a Timex.
  • Meliklotz
    Meliklotz Posts: 66 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.

    I also use an FT4 and got it on Amazon.
    so do I, I got mine at Sears for about 70.00
  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
    Polar FT4, I got mine from Amazon, but google it because we found my boy friend one cheaper on another site!
  • tbellamy1
    tbellamy1 Posts: 353
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.
    ^^^^this!!!! I have a polar ft4 and love it. I bought mine from bodytronics.com for about $60
  • AdrienneKaren
    AdrienneKaren Posts: 168 Member
    I know you can normally find the Polar FT4 (comes with chest strap, and I love mine) on Amazon for around $60-$70 with free shipping. And I think that's the cheapest model that Polar makes that will estimate calories. Sometimes you can find them a little cheaper on eBay but it's very hit-or-miss. I do not know much about other brands though.

    I also use an FT4 and got it on Amazon.

    Ditto I love mine and so easy to use.

    I love mine, too!
  • pjsmom2010
    pjsmom2010 Posts: 70 Member
    BUMP!
  • jaric01
    jaric01 Posts: 132 Member
    I'm using an FT7. Not sure what the difference is between that and the FT4, but it's really nice. Got it for about $75: http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/90036747.html
  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    I have this one. Its reasonably priced and its easy to program and read. I LOVE it. I really think its accurate too. When I first started out, if the elliptical told me I burned 1000 calories I only burned 600 with the HRM and if the treadmill said I burned 1000 calories and it was only like 500 with the HRM. Its a huge difference.

    Machines can only estimate, they cant tell how much or how little effort you make... but the HRM can! LOL ;)

    http://www.amazon.com/Polar-FT4F-Heart-Monitor-Watch/dp/B0031ZK84E
  • kadins_momma07
    kadins_momma07 Posts: 328 Member
    I am curious about this too. Are there HRM that track calories burned, distance, heart rate all in one? Instead of buying 2 different devices? I don't have an iPhone, but I know there is a Nike app that tracks all of that...is there anything like that for Android?

    Thanks :)
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I am curious about this too. Are there HRM that track calories burned, distance, heart rate all in one? Instead of buying 2 different devices? I don't have an iPhone, but I know there is a Nike app that tracks all of that...is there anything like that for Android?

    Thanks :)

    Polar FT60 does calories burned, distance and heart rate.

    I'm sure there are apps for android like that.. but I personally don't use any on my phone.
  • Brenda_Pancakes
    Brenda_Pancakes Posts: 288 Member
    I'm another one with the Polar FT-4. I love mine; chest strap and all... Super easy to set up... put in your data... it's simple. I got mine for about 65 bucks on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods. I'm not recording distance (this one doesn't count that kind of stuff), I'm just interested in the actual heart rate, how many calories burned, and timing my exercise routines. It's perfect for that. Anything more, and you'll have to move up to one of the higher (and more $$$) versions.
  • deedee0152
    deedee0152 Posts: 14 Member
    I love my polar FT7. Very comfortable and accurate. It doesn't give distance. I am traing for a 5k and use an app on my iPhone called "ease into 5k" and it has gps option and it is tracking my distance and my running speed.
  • shay0119
    shay0119 Posts: 29 Member
    bump
  • StarkLark
    StarkLark Posts: 476 Member
    I went for the FT7 over the FT4 because the FT7 was only a little bit more expensive and you can connect it to the polar website and input your data and track it. So far I love it. The optional $40 FlowLink accessory allows automatic sync between the HRM and your computer.

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