Thread: Heart Rate Monitors

Go for the Polar. Keeps a record for you so you can look at previous workouts. Nice when you do say 5Km every sunday or something. You can look at your previous week and see how things are improving, lower average heart rate, cal burned etc. Chest strap is easily adjustable and cleans up well.
My 2 cents.
G

I've gotten really excited reading this thread because although I've only been str8 shaving for 6 weeks or so, I have been working out seriously for 12 years so I hope I can help you.

A heart-rate monitor is a great tool for gauging the cardiovascular intensity of your workout. I use one to ensure my workout does not burn muscle for fuel.

What are you looking to get out of your HRM?

P.S. Ones fitted to stationary machines (i.e. treadmill) are inaccurate.

Originally Posted by welshwarrior

I've gotten really excited reading this thread because although I've only been str8 shaving for 6 weeks or so, I have been working out seriously for 12 years so I hope I can help you.

A heart-rate monitor is a great tool for gauging the cardiovascular intensity of your workout. I use one to ensure my workout does not burn muscle for fuel.

What are you looking to get out of your HRM?

P.S. Ones fitted to stationary machines (i.e. treadmill) are inaccurate.

Just a good, accurate reading. There are some that offer kcals burned, and all other sorts of gewgaws...I guess I was looking for the best one that offers the things I really need for an effective workout. Polar seems to be the best, as that seems to be their specialty, although I haven't checked out the Garmin...I just don't wanna spend a fortune on one...razors are keeping me destitute atm. Always something more to buy.

P.S. My great grandmother was from Wales. Married a Scotsman.

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

P.S. My great grandmother was from Wales. Married a Scotsman.

Good to know the hrm will be measuring rich blood!

My advice would be to buy the entry level Polar - the FS1. I have it and it's all you'll ever need. As you're working out it will update every few seconds with your current hr and you can set it to beep or flash (or both) when you fall outside this zone. By moving the watch toward your chest strap it will also flick to tell you the time elapsed since starting your workout and the current time.

IMO even expensive ones are not going to be a reliable method of measuring kcals burned.

Do you know how to calculate your optimal heart-rate? If you need help working it out so you can enter it into your watch when you get it let me know.

I think they are a great way of ensuring you are extracting maximum effectiveness from your session.