Which do you use?

Strap on chest or wristwatch type?

My heart rate monitor is a chest strap that transmits all the information to a watch type device where I can track everything. So I guess my answer is both?

since I didn't get any earlier replies I ordered the Omron. It was rated good. I had a polar before and it was okay. The omron is $31 with the chest strap and it beeps when you go out of your range. Didn't need a calorie counter or any other bells and whistles. Just wanted to make sure Im in range without having to stop.

Thank you CherryPie99 for replying.

Hope you like yours! Mine is a Polar that DH got me for Xmas. It is pretty fancy and measures calories and heart rate zones and all kinds of things. DH didn't get it but it can have an add-on foot thing that measures miles for you. I don't need it now because I use the treadmill, but it would be nice for when I move outside as the weather gets better. The problem is, you strap it to your shoelaces and I wear the Vibram barefoot sneaks with no laces, - so I guess I'm SOL.

Mine also beeps when you go out of the optimum range.

I have a Suunto for indoors (treadmill mostly) and a Garmin 110 for outdoors distance running. Both have chest straps. Expensive I know but I use them all the time so I figured it would be worth it. I hate buying cheap stuff that breaks or doesn't work right after only a few weeks. I had a Mio that stopped working after about a month.

I have no experience with Omron except as a blood pressure monitor - has worked fine for 6 years.

Just looked up your Suunto. Very nice. Very pretty. I had a Garmin for walking. It was great but I couldn't keep it for some reason. Can't remember why I didn't keep it.

I think if I were more into mileage and calories I would have chosen a better product.

Hope this one will give me what I need for now, better than nothing.

How long have you been running Alenna

tytbody, I've been running since the early 1980's but I only started using a heart-rate monitor about 3 years ago.

I started when I was in the Army where they require a 2-mile run test, and have increased mileage over the years, although I walk more now than I run. I did the Four Day Marches Nijmegen (or Vierdaagse) in 1999 which was the hardest overall distance I've done (25 miles per day for 4 days). I always wanted to do just 1 ultra-marathon, but now that I'm in my 50s I may have to stick to lesser mileage. On the other hand, when I ran in the Marine Corps Marathon 4 years ago there were some 80+ yr-olds who finished (and a couple of 60+ yr-olds ahead of me ) so age is not an excuse I guess.

lol. No.not at all. It's just what each body can tolerate and enjoy. It's like the women that were kettlebelling or lifting before delievery. We just have to keep searching for what makes us happy no matter what our age. It's a number and all we can do is do it, what ever that is in our range.

If I liked running, I'd do it. but I don't ;( I don't even want to try to like it. I like watching but I'll root for you on the side lines. I'm 56.