Hi, looking for help on a decent heart rate monitor under $50 please.

You'll probably have to spend > $50 to get a good HRM.

Get one with a chest strap for the best accuracy. The wrist kind or the ones that you just touch with your finger aren't as accurate.

Polar seems to be a popular brand, but they are close to $80-$100.

I have a Polar hrm and really like it, it retailed for over $100 though. But I do see some of the models come up on Craigslist around here in the $50-60 range so that might be worth looking into at least. I agree about getting a chest strap, definitely a must have, even if you have to wait a bit longer to afford it!

Thanks guys!

I am actually purchasing one from Target today: the New Balance N4 Pearl. It comes with a chest strap and I've read lots of great reviews on it. It's at Target for $69.99.

Emme, thank you! I am actually going there tonight so I am going to check it out. This may be it!

If you end up getting it and need help programming it, let me know. The directions aren't that great, but I figured it out after a while.

I have the most basic polar model. I think I paid about $40 for it 3-4 years ago and it's still going. It has a chest strap, tells me my hr, the average hr of my workout and not much else. But this is all I really need.

It makes a HUGE difference in my running. I really struggle with pacing myself so the HRM helps me to not go out too fast.

Thanks Emme! I didn't get it yet because I had last minute bill to pay. Scarlett, I am hearing that Polars are real popular.