Heart Rate Monitor Recommendations?

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks to a post by a fellow DISer, I've been listening to the free iTunes podcasts of Jillian's radio show on Sundays. I like to listen to them as I work out. Anyways, the one I was listening to last night she was talking about heart rate monitors and I was really intrigued and would like to get one. After looking online I don't know what to get! They range in price from super cheap to crazy expensive. I don't need one with a million bells and whistles but I would like something that's accurate and works well. Thanks for any help!

 

[ohMom]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305, but my main use is for tracking mileage on my walks. It is on the end of deluxe/pricey, but i have found i use more functions than I thought I would. i.e., calories burned function, virtual partner, pace per mile, and the software is fun to track progress. I'll admit I'm not deep into all it does, but it's been very reliable. Garmin's website has a 'test' you can take to match you with a product to meet your needs.

 

[Rpsemont]

I have a medium priced timex that so far I have been happy with. It won't give you your pace (because it doesn't measure miles) but it does give me my heart rate and at the end of the work out can tell me my peak HR, Average HR and how many minutes I was in the "Zone" It has preprogramed training zones or you can set your own. It gives calories, too, but I don't know how accurate that is. When I walk on the treadmill, wear a pedometer and have my HR monitor on, I get three drastically different calorie readings from each device
It took me a few months to finally get it set up the way I like it, but now I use it all the time. I think it's pretty accurate. However every once in awhile I get some wild readings (HR 212) but haven't been able to figure out if that's a mechanical thing or not.

 

[airtime247]

Whatever you decide to buy, be sure you get one with a strap that goes around your chest. Some of the cheaper monitors are just a watch and they aren't nearly as accurate.

I have the Garmin 305 as well as a Timex I bought earlier. I've been very happy with both. I bought the Timex at Target for ~$69. It wasn't in the exercise department but with the watches and jewelry.

Polar brand HRMs are really popular. The one downside to them I read about is that you can't change the batteries yourself. You have to send the watch back to the manufacturer which is quite pricey.

-steve

 

[MonkeyPants]

glad you are enjoying jillian's show

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've used the Polar brand and like it when I do use it. (Not so much a HR user these days). I like it because the machines at the gym monitor the Polar chest strap and I get the readouts on the treadmills, eliptical or bikes.

If you plan to enjoy the outdoors as you train, I'd recommend the Garmin. It is a fantastic tool.

I use the Garmin 205 (no HR monitor) most of the time I am walking/jogging/wogging outdoors to record my distance.

Good luck with your research. Let us know what you choose.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

glad you are enjoying jillian's show

Thank you! I was trying to remember where I read it but I didn't post or subscribe to the thread. I watch Biggest Loser a lot and I've never been a huge fan of Jillian's. After listening to the last 6-7 podcasts she has really grown on me. She is so informative and I've learned so much from listening to her.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I was leaning towards one of the Polar models but sending it back every time the battery needs changing will get expensive. I will definitely be getting one with a chest strap as I want it to read my heart rate the entire time, not put two fingers on a "watch" type and then get my heart rate.

You guys are awesome! I will let you know what I choose!

Thanks again!

 

[MonkeyPants]

Thank you! I was trying to remember where I read it but I didn't post or subscribe to the thread. I watch Biggest Loser a lot and I've never been a huge fan of Jillian's. After listening to the last 6-7 podcasts she has really grown on me. She is so informative and I've learned so much from listening to her.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I was leaning towards one of the Polar models but sending it back every time the battery needs changing will get expensive. I will definitely be getting one with a chest strap as I want it to read my heart rate the entire time, not put two fingers on a "watch" type and then get my heart rate.

You guys are awesome! I will let you know what I choose!

Thanks again!

no prob, I also wasnt a huge fan of jillian's when I first saw her on the show. She seemed very mean, but over the last couple of years I notice she really does care about the people she trains, but she wont put up with any crap. She just asks people to take responsibility for what they 1st did to themselves and 2nd take responsibility for changing themselves. She's said many times, she cant want it for you and she cant do it for you. You have to want and you have to do the hard work. I think it would be fun/scary to have a session with her...none stop yelling at you of course but I am sure it would be an incredible work out.

as far as monitors go, I want to get one as well, but wish they had constant hr monitor that used your radial pulse, I dont know that I could stand the feel of a chest strap, that would drive me crazy.

 

[TiggersPal]

I have a polar heart rate monitor and I've been using it for years. Actually it broke and I found a place on-line that fixed it for 19.95 - which is great! I highly recommend it!