Exercise! Love it or hate it, let's motivate each other to just DO IT!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-28-2009, 11:10 PM   #1  
Working my way back
Thread Starter
 
corazonas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tx
Posts: 729

S/C/G: 185/150

Height: 5'5

Default Do you have a heart rate monitor?

I decided I need to get one. I have never had one but know how they work and what they are for... etc.

I was just wondering who has one.... what's a good brand? what's a good price range? any specific features you look for? i almost picked one up today but decided to get some feedback from you guys first. i don't want to get one that's too fancy for my needs (basic HRM with ability to accurately track cals burned) but don't want to get a cheapo that's a waste of money either.

suggestions? thanks!
corazonas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 12:07 AM   #2  
Junior Member
 
safyre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SW TX
Posts: 26

S/C/G: 200/TICKER/160

Height: 5'7

Default

I got a Polar F4 a couple weeks ago and I LOVE it. The one thing it doesn't have is a back light so you can read the watch in the dark. The F6 has that option along with a few other small improvements.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a Polar
They run from $80-$150
safyre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 01:54 PM   #3  
Senior Member
 
sws19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 549

S/C/G: HW 176/SW 163/CW ticker/GW 120

Height: 5'4"

Default

i just got the polar f4 about a month ago. so far i really like it. it has changed the way i work out because now i target a certain heart rate rather than a speed. this is supposed to help increase overall fitness level, but it's too early for me to say whether it's working.
for some reason whenever i start out, the heart rate is a bit screwy, but it evens out after about 5 or 10 mins. dunno why this is.
sws19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 05:13 PM   #4  
No longer super size!!!
 
grneyedmustang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,371

S/C/G: 282/ticker/190

Height: 6' 0"

Default

I just bought a Timex from amazon.com. I'll chime in once it arrives and I've used it a few times.
grneyedmustang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 06:51 PM   #5  
Senior Member
 
MariaMaria's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,350

Default

Guess I'll be the first to chime in with "no, I don't."

I can judge level of effort by how I feel (able to speak full paragraphs? able to speak a word or two? hang on, must catch my breath to answer?), and since I run on streets/trails/etc. (i.e., not treadmill) I have a built-in objective measure of what I'm doing. (Alternative answer, I'm a bit of a Luddite and I feel like a watch and an iPod are enough technology for me to require.)
MariaMaria is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 08:24 PM   #6  
Crazy runner
 
Fat Pants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,063

S/C/G: 213/131/maintaining

Height: 5'4.5"

Default

Add me to the Polar fans. I have the F4 but will soon be upgrading to the F6 - it has a function that doesn't allow "cross talk" between other HRM's, so you'll always be getting your own data. I have loved my F4 every step of the way... it's so worth it!
Fat Pants is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 11:08 PM   #7  
Working my way back
Thread Starter
 
corazonas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tx
Posts: 729

S/C/G: 185/150

Height: 5'5

Default

thatnks so much for the feedback! i found the one i had that was about 50 bucks (cant remember the brand this sec) and i dont know if it's reading accurately or not. it has a sensor button that gives you your HR thru your finger and tracks your cals burned by the number. i tried to stay in my normal range my whole run today (about 35 mins at a rate about 170- i checked a lot) and it said i burned 500 something cals. is there ANY way that's true?? i think i'm going to invest in a relatively expensive one because this just doesn't seem right.....
corazonas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 11:50 PM   #8  
Melissa
 
Bikini Ready's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 373

Height: 5'9''

Default

I have the Polar F6 and it rocks! I find it to be very accurate and LOVE the fact that it gives a weekly total and logs each workout/weekly total so you can go to past weeks and compare. You can also set a heart rate zone and it starts beeping at you if you slack off, it's like a nagging trainer. I can workout on my own and judge intensity on my own but the watch helps raise the bar and keeps me accountable. The battery even lasts over a year. The ONLY downside was getting used to wearing the strap under my sports bra... but I got over that in a day or two. It's pink too!
Bikini Ready is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2009, 12:13 AM   #9  
Senior Member
 
MariaMaria's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,350

Default

Quote:
(about 35 mins at a rate about 170- i checked a lot) and it said i burned 500 something cals. is there ANY way that's true??
At your weight 500 calories is about 5 miles, give or take.
MariaMaria is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2009, 01:03 AM   #10  
Senior Member
 
Windchime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,088

Height: 5'11"

Default

How do these things work? I looked at the Polar home page and they look like a watch, but do you also still have to wear a strap around your chest?
Windchime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2009, 08:51 AM   #11  
Crazy runner
 
Fat Pants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,063

S/C/G: 213/131/maintaining

Height: 5'4.5"

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windchime View Post
How do these things work? I looked at the Polar home page and they look like a watch, but do you also still have to wear a strap around your chest?
Yep, the strap around your chest transmits your heart rate to the watch. It's not bothersome at all and I don't even notice it's there.
Fat Pants is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2009, 09:00 AM   #12  
Senior Member
 
willow650's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 1,088

S/C/G: 200/168/165

Height: 5'8"

Default

I have a Reebok one with a chest strap. I got it when i was taking spin class and I use it almost every time I exercise. I love it.
willow650 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2009, 10:16 AM   #13  
Working my way back
Thread Starter
 
corazonas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tx
Posts: 729

S/C/G: 185/150

Height: 5'5

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MariaMaria View Post
At your weight 500 calories is about 5 miles, give or take.
hm yeah, there's no WAY i ran 5 miles. more like 2... looks like i'm going SHOPPING haha
corazonas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2009, 02:58 PM   #14  
Eat Less Move More
 
CruiseCAT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Desert of California
Posts: 951

S/C/G: 186/164/125

Height: 5'3"

Default

Thanks for starting this topic. I too am looking for a good HRM now that I am running. I have found a couple decent ones on e-bay. I think I am going to get the Polar F6.
CruiseCAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2009, 03:03 PM   #15  
Senior Member
 
Thighs Be Gone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,629

S/C/G: HW/232 SW 215/ CW 133/GW 120's

Height: 5.7 and 1/2

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MariaMaria View Post
Guess I'll be the first to chime in with "no, I don't."

I can judge level of effort by how I feel (able to speak full paragraphs? able to speak a word or two? hang on, must catch my breath to answer?), and since I run on streets/trails/etc. (i.e., not treadmill) I have a built-in objective measure of what I'm doing. (Alternative answer, I'm a bit of a Luddite and I feel like a watch and an iPod are enough technology for me to require.)


Yep, me too on this.
Thighs Be Gone is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:20 AM.


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.