Thread: Heart Rate Monitors

I've just gotten back into my workout routine after a long layoff due to a damaged knee, and want to maximize the benefits and results. I've heard from a few of my fitter friends that heart rate monitors (like the Polar f11) are great items to have. Just wondering if any of you on here have experience with them, and which model/brand you'd recommend. I have a Mio HRM without the chest strap, and it sucks. You actually have to stop and press/hold a button to get your heart rate. So, I definitely want one with the chest strap. I'm starting off slow, about 2 miles a day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I use a polar and my wife uses the Timex - we both run, and find them to be great - you can gauge your workout and start target training in specific aerobic zones rather than always be either anerobic or not working hard enough. But yeah, I'd go with Polar or Timex.

Mark

I have a couple of cheap ones and they are a great motivational toy.
Especially in winter on treadmills and bikes.

I suppose if I was more "scientific" I could get more out of it but mostly I prefer to treat it as a fun toy.

-Bob

The real toy geeks like the garmin 405 , I use cheapo polars.

I also use a Polar (unsure of the model)
and like it very much.

John

I use to work out with weights fairly seriously, but now, I'm doing the rowing machine thing. Very good workouts. My machine has a heart rate monitor --- but I don't use it. I found in the past that if I monitor my workouts too much then it's not as fun and sometimes I see lesser results --- don't know why --- so I don't use them although I know they are recommended and usable to the pros.

Justin

I also am thinking about adding one but there are other things I want too so it keeps getting pushed to the back burner.

In the meantime I use my fingers to my throat and the second hand of my watch. count for 6 seconds and muliply by ten is accurate enough for when I was an EMT, its good enough now that I just want to hit my target heart rate.

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

I use to work out with weights fairly seriously, but now, I'm doing the rowing machine thing. Very good workouts. My machine has a heart rate monitor --- but I don't use it. I found in the past that if I monitor my workouts too much then it's not as fun and sometimes I see lesser results --- don't know why --- so I don't use them although I know they are recommended and usable to the pros.

Justin

I always thought a rowing machine that came with a nice LCD screen that showed a video loop of the galley rowing scene from "Ben Hur" (with the guy beating cadence with the hammers) would be a hoot..."How did you do today? Oh, I got up to to battle speed, but am working to get to ramming speed!"

I have a polar. It works great. I just have the basic model, because all I need to know is my heart rate.

Haven't tried that many brands, just 3 different brands, I've been using Polar for the last 10 years, go for the Polar model that suits your needs.

I have a Suunto T6. Love it. More info than I need but is great to see the graphs and training effect.