Want to get a heart rate monitor and would like recommendations..

[cobbler]

I think I am in need of a heart rate monitor for my training. I am finding myself getting winded enough during my runs that when I end (and sometimes during the run) I am unable spit out a word for a good couple minutes.

So I am thinking I am pushing myself too hard (even though I feel like I am moving at a sloth pace - go figure) and think it might be time to start to guage what the heck is going on

I would like something that is durable, reliable, and just plain works!

Thanks

 

[johde]

I don't know what your budget is, but while your looking, you may want to look into a Garmin. The 305 is about $100 and includes a HRM. I have one that I really like.

 

[mommylo]

Garmin 305 is what I have too!

 

[poohs4me]

It depends what else you want it to do. I started with a basic Polar one that JUST did heart rate. It was great for what I needed!!! I was new to exercise and just wanted to make sure I was not killing myself. Kinda figured that was a good idea.

I started running outdoors and then wanted one to tell me heart rate, distance and speed and ended up with another Polar one. Now I wish I would have gotten one that had intervals and since I am doing Galloway's run/walk something that beeped or vibrated at me.

 

[Suited Deuces]

I got a Garmin 405 (refurbished) on Amazon for about $160. GREAT STUFF.

And very encouraging. I was trying to run too fast.....the GPS taught me what rate what what and what heart rate it produced. I makes the runs more interesting and I feel I am learning more. WELL worth the money....I even track walks (w/o heart rates) and realized I take some LONG walks.

Heart rate and GPS.....save money and get em both......they are great.

 

[cobbler]

Quick question about the 305. This thing looks HUGE! I have read it is bulky & this isn't a big deal, however, my wrist is only 6" in circumference. Will this fit on me?

Is there another ideal place I can wear it? I go out with a waterbelt on runs longer than 3 miles so would it be something I could put around that? Although that does lead to the problem of having to try to see the screen for heart rate feedback.

Help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ludari]

I have the Garmin 305 which I use for running and bicycling.

 

[johde]

Yes, the 305 is big. I'm good size so I don't notice it. Out of the box it comes with 2 wrist bands one for larger wrists and one for smaller wrists. I also heard of several people swapping it for a velcro watch band that's more comfortable.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I have a 305, and my wrist is only 5" in circumference. It does seem huge, but once I put it on and start running I never really notice it. DH has the velcro band for his, but I don't like that because it gets really, really wet when he sweats and holds the moisture for a long time.

I love my 305 - never run without it!

Jackie

 

[fashionista311]

I think you need to think about what purpose you want the watch to serve. If you are just concerned about heart rate - I would think about a basic polar heart rate monitor. Polar does a better job at accurate heart rate than garmin, and their soft strap is much more comfortable.

If you are concerned about pace and heart rate - I do think garmin is the best bet. They are better at determining pace than polar...and their models are much more reliable than the Polar models that can track pace from what i've heard (I've never owned one)

I personally have both a Polar heart rate monitor (I have the ft7) and a Garmin (610) I use my Polar for spin class and indoor gym machines..and runs when I either don't want to know my pace (aka very hot runs when I just want to keep my heart rate down) or when I forget to charge my Garmin. I use my Garmin when I run outdoors. Both serve different purposes to me...but it just depends on what you are looking for!

 

[cobbler]

I have the Nike+ GPS so the GPS feature of a Garmin isn't all that important to me. Unless I feel like being anal and comparing what the Nike+ spits out vs the Garmin. However I am satisfied with the Nike+ since it has the GPS feature and I'm sure it is close enough. At least it is giving me the rough idea.

I am more concerned with the heart rate at this point but I guess having the GPS feature would be nice with the Garmin so I can see that at such and such pace I am overdoing it so I can find a good pace I need to set and maintain.

Wow, that was just helpful huh? HA HA!!

Ok, given that clear as mud description of what I'm looking for which might be better?

 

[fashionista311]

Do you mean the nike+ app for the iphone? I use it with my garmin (if I try to listen to music via the ipod app the music keeps restarting and skipping but seems to work fine when I use the nike app...so wierd) For my shorter runs it's somewhat accurate (off anywhere from .01-.20 usually) but the longer the run the worst it gets...on my 16 miler this weekend the app said I ran 17.6 miles!

I admit I get lazy wearing my heart strap for shorter runs because its just another thing to deal with when I'm half asleep in the am...but heart rate should trump pace in terms of training. One day you can easily run a 9:30 min/mile, the next day a 11 min/mile can feel like a slogfest.

You could always start with one watch...and then if you decide you want another, the holidays are right around the corner

 

[RunRookie]

I use a Polar RS200 and really love it. It is the predecessor to the RS300 but it pretty much does the same thing. I have not used a Garmin.

The Polar does a great job as a HRM. I set my heart rate zones after an assessment and pretty much trust the watch to let me know when I am moving outside of Zones 2 & 3. It also has stopwatch and lap timing features. I also have an S1 Footpod which works great at measuring pace, speed, and distance in terms of average, max, and 'current' stats.

During runs, I can keep track of my pacing and heart rate on one display. I can also choose to track all my stats on a lap by lap basis by just pressing one button to indicate the beginning of the next lap.

ANother cool feature is the ability to upload all the data from my runs onto polarpersonaltrainer.com (free service) where I can analyze all the data, generate graphs and reports of my workouts, and look at pacing/speed/distance on a lap-by-lap basis. This is really helpful!

I bought my watch and footpod on Amazon at a real good price so regardless of what you decide to buy, shop around first. There are so many different watches, you really need to know how you are going to use it in order to decide what watch meets your needs. It is easy to buy 'more watch than you need'. I did not buy a GPS watch because the footpod is simple to use, very light, and pretty accurate. The main difference with the GPS watch is some can 'map your route' on a web site. This was not all that important to me.

 

[John VN]

Another 305 owner who prefers a GPS because of the accuracy and the ability to use it when bicycling. DW started with a foot pod watch and found it to be lacking the accuracy my GPS has so she upgraded to a GPS.

If one uses the Galloway Method wouldn't the change in stride length between running and walking be enough to reflect in the overall distance when doing a half or full marathon?

 

[RunRookie]

That is a good question. I do not run-walk so I can't really say. But I have not experienced a lack of accuracy if the footpad is correctly calibrated to the person and the battery is good.

If I did biking or more swimming, I would probably upgrade to a GPS watch that is waterproof. But for now, I am just focusing on my running and XT.