Brie, I have tried a couple and Polar do seem to be the best ones. I bought another brand and I feel like it was a waste, it's just too hard to use.
Polar is compatible with a lot of the machines at the gym too, so you can wear the chest band and your HR will appear on the screen.
I haven't heard of one that combines with a pedometer, but there are lots of fancy ones that have GPS and everything so I am guessing you could get any feature you want -- I've only used the ones that have a stopwatch and HR function. But I really found it useful to wear it once in a while and get a sense of what my "Zone" was. For some of the Spinning classes at my gym, the instructors would really push the idea that you needed one to know how hard you are working -- to me, once I have worn it for a while, I can feel when my HR is going up and down.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2872 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
They are said to be the most accurate, and mine has been problem free.
I bought mine at a local retailer, model SW-701. I record miles rather than steps (also included), and don't look at the calories function.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,
LOL...never mind...should've finished digging around before I posted...I found some more info and picked on out. I'm actually really happy that I figured this out. I don't feel so bad splurging on this since it's use or lose time on this money. I'm buying the 'best' Polar monitor that Drugstore.com carries. hehe
Peg
Bumping this up in the hopes that some of you are still around tonight. I just realized I can spend my FSA dollars that have to be spent by tomorrow on a heart rate monitor. I see a couple of different Polar options and was hoping maybe by now some of you might have a recommendation.This message has been edited. Last edited by: p7eggyc,
I do use the heart rate monitor on the elliptical trainer. The others aren't in good places to hold on to long enough. Even though I feel like its the easiest workout of all the cardio machines, the proof is in the numbers. My heart rate is definitely getting into the target zone.
I think I would like the watch and band for running though - last thing I want to do is hold onto the hand rail when I'm running at 5.5 mph.
Posts: 758 | Location: Champaign, IL | Registered: March 17, 2004
Bee, my guess is that you are in pretty good shape (I've seen the pictures too!). The better shape you are in the quicker your heart rate recovers, so that by the time you stop and take your pulse, you could have dropped 10 beats and give yourself the impression that you are not working hard enough.
Fer Our cardio equipment at the gym all have heart monitors so I have a pretty good sense of how I'm doing there. When I run outdoors or am a home, I do check my pulse periodically to make sure I'm in my zone. A girl friend of mine asked me to post the question for her but frankly, now I'm thinking of getting one too. It would certainly be easier than checking my pulse myself.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
it goes back to what Bee talks about in her tips from the trainer. If you are investing the time to go to the gym, why not make sure you are getting the best work out you can. How do you know where your heart rate is?
In addition, it's good to vary your cardio. Do interval training where you shoot your heart rate up to the max and the recover almost all the way back down. Do endurance training where you try to keep your heart rate at one level. Work at a low level do burn more fat, work higher to give your heart a better workout.
Maybe a good answer to todays homework - how to reward yourself- is to buy a heart rate monitor.
I've heard good things about Polar heart rate monitors. I think you can get a pretty decent one for about $50. I've been thinking about getting one myself, but am not sure how much I really need it.
Posts: 758 | Location: Champaign, IL | Registered: March 17, 2004
I think I saw in the latest Title 9 Sports catalog a sports bra that has the heart rate monitor strap integrated into the bottom elastic band. I couldn't find it on their website though.
__________________________ DUM SPIRO, SPERO
Posts: 1433 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: March 11, 2004
I use a heart rate monitor - wouldn't work out without one. It's a Polar. There are many different models and mine is a few years old - hence they don't make it anymore. It's the style that requires me to wear a band around my chest and the watch on my wrist - but it is not a pedometer.
My main cardio is spinning (which was designed to be used with a heart rate monitor) but I know that a lot of gym equipment ie treadmills, elliptical machines, etc... can read the band around your chest and therefore you don't have to wear the watch.
One thing to know - the band has a battery and when the battery dies, you need to get a new band, it can not be replaced. The watch battery can.
quote:Originally posted by SheriaVa: My mother wears a watch-type heart rate monitor which consists of a band that she wears around her chest and a watch that then tells her where her heart rate is while she's exercising.
If that's the type of thing you're talking about/interested in, I can ask my Mom what brand hers is. I recall it was quite expensive because I asked her about it when she was here around Xmas and she wore it to my gym.
I THINK she said she got hers at the Y where she works out but, again, if this is what you're interested in, let me know and I can get the particulars from her.
Sheri That's exactly what I'm talking about. If you could ask your mom, that would be great.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
My mother wears a watch-type heart rate monitor which consists of a band that she wears around her chest and a watch that then tells her where her heart rate is while she's exercising.
If that's the type of thing you're talking about/interested in, I can ask my Mom what brand hers is. I recall it was quite expensive because I asked her about it when she was here around Xmas and she wore it to my gym.
I THINK she said she got hers at the Y where she works out but, again, if this is what you're interested in, let me know and I can get the particulars from her.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Thank you for asking this question. I also would like to invest in one of these, because of going back to home exercise, I want to make sure I'm getting the best possible workout. I really want to get a GOOD and RELIABLE pedometer also. I have gotten a couple of the $10 ones (different brands) and they aren't accurate at all. I have checked Consumer Reports, but I couldn't find information for these items. WOuld love some personal recommendations.
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3159 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
Bee when you refer to a watch style, heart rate monitor are you referring to the ones that also measure your blood pressure or are you talking about the ones that are pedometers and measure your HR while you are exercising? For the ones that measure BP, most are very dependent upon positioning for accuracy---most Drs here will not accept the readings unless they are confirmed by a regular BP method. I don't know if this information helps or not. Let me know if you are talking about the pedometer type and we can discuss that more. IVA
