Heart rate monitor?

I have a Sportline watch that is pretty darned accurate, no chest strap necessary. I think it was under $40.

RMX

 

Hey, you can't go wrong with just about any Polar. Even the low-end ones use the same sensor and receiver as the high-end ones. The only difference between them are the features that it sounds like you won't use -- thresholds, calorie counters, PC-hookups and tracking, etc.

IMO, heart-rate monitors are *THE single best way to improve your fitness.* I ended up doing a triathalon after getting hooked on mine -- You can actually see and hear your fitness improving every few days! Seriously. If you go with another brand, I'd reco you stick with a chest-strap. It's more accurate and will keep you from going too high or from training below where you need to be.

 

Chest strap recommended. If you are using it for cycling, make sure it is coded. Some of the cheaper off brand ones will not be. But something from Suunoto or Polar will be fine. It is a great learning tool.

 

I believe that'd be Suunto

I like the Suunto better myself, but I'm on the opposite end of the product range with the t6c after a polar S710i. Much better PC software imo and design considerations, a bit buggy every now and then.

 

A heart rate monitor is a fantastic tool. I highly recommend everyone who exercises to wear one.

I have an Ironman with the chest strap. It works quite well and has many features that I have never used, however when looking for one I found that some don't even tell the time. Silly, in my opinion to wear a watch that doesn't tell the time, especially if you workout outdoors where clocks don't exist.

My must have features are:
- Heart rate (duh!)
- Time
- Chronograph to time your workout lengths

If you're an outdoor runner, there are some fabulous heart rate monitors that also log your route, so when you arrive home, you plug it into your computer and the GPS draws out where you ran, etc. Quite neat, but totally useless if only working out indoors. These are also quite pricey compared to my Ironman.

Visit any sporting goods store as they carry a wide selection of brands

 

You're talking about the Garmin 305 that has the gps built in so it can give you pace and distance as well as elevation I believe. In addition Garmin has just come out with the 310xt with extended battery life up to 17 hrs for ironman races and it's supposably waterproof as well for swimming.

However back on track for the op, can't really go wrong with a polar.

 

If you're looking for a heart rate monitor and are interested in GPS functionality, I'd recommend Garmin's watches as well. I have a Garmin 305, and it works great with the HRM, and the GPS is nice because I can run new routes without having to plan my route beforehand. The 310xt is basically the 305 but with waterproof functionality for triathletes who want to use the watch during the swim portion (and I think slightly longer battery life).

The 305 is admittedly not the prettiest watch in the world, they tried to fix that with the 405 but I have heard complaints that the 405's touch screen bezel is problematic when sweat gets on the display (the 305 has physical buttons). Some people prefer the 305 to the 405, and I doubt that one would want to wear the 405 on a daily basis anyway. Since the 305 is the oldest out of the bunch, it's the cheapest, and I think it can be had nowadays for $150 or so.

I think the Garmin 50 also comes with a Heart Rate Monitor and is around $50 or so. If you want to add distance functionality to that watch, I think you can buy a footpod to go along with it. Hope this helps.

 

another vote for the garmin forerunner 305...i have one and its pretty solid. i just saw them at best buy the other day on sale for i think $149 marked down from $179

for my road bike i have the garmin edge 705 that has color gps, hrm and cadence

 

you can also take the data and use this site (theres other ones too)

http://www.mapmyrun.com/

 

I use a Polar but I find all the features to be mostly unnecessary. Some will love having their calorie counters and thresholds set with GPS and other things but, for most people, just training in your general "zones" is enough.

That said, I hate when I'm "over-wired" when I run. With a watch, visor, sunnies, HRM, iPod and earbuds, it gets a bit much. The purity of exercising outdoors can be lost. Then again, if you're training seriously, this stuff can be important.

Buy and use accordingly!

 

I've used Polar for about 10 years and have very little problems. I just changed over to Garmin because I changed computers on my bike. So I like the Garmin better, less false spikes...so far.

 

So I picked up a Polar yesterday and used it this morning. I need to play with it a bit, but I was pretty impressed intra and post workout. The chest strap was comfy and I felt it kept great track of my heart rate. I got a basic one, some of the higher end Polars interface with the internet so you can really monitor your progress.

 

I use a simple Suunto T1c, picked it up semi cheap at REI. The chest strap is comfortable, and I like the combo analog & digital display (I record the duration, cals burned, max hr the old fashioned way).

http://www.suuntocampaigns.com/tseries/

Works for me. Cheers, JB

 

Bumpity bump. Just picked up a spin bike, I love it......now I need a HR monitor. I'm going to swing by my local MEC (Cdn version of REI) tonight. 1 question...what does coded mean?

 

Coded means - when you are in a pack of other bikes, you won't pick up their data, and thus, avoiding cross-talk. If you are just spinning indoors, it probably doesn't matter much.

Recently picked up a Garmin 500 with cadence and HRM. Working on tracking those numbers and being consistent, pushing the limits. Lots to learn from the data!

 

Purchased a Suunto HR monitor, M series. I like it, easy to use, and has all must have features. Would recommend it.

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