Which hr monitor do i want?

[amytug 996]

Where do I start? I would like to know how many calories I've burned as well as heart rate. Whatcha got? Love it?

[It's all new 453]

I have one by New Balance that I got at Target - that was a mistake! I've heard Polar is a better choice but I'm not sure which model is the best.

[Tabitha184 21]

I have a polar ft4. I love it. Tells how many calories I have burned and my heart rate. It was $90, I have had it for a year and it still works great. I had a friend that bought a cheap one and it didn't work for very long

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I have a polar and I also have a Garmin which is both a HR monitor and a GPS device. Honestly, you can't go wrong with a Polar. The more features they have the more they are going to cost. If all you want is HR and calories burned, you don't need the most expensive. I personally like the simpler ones with less useless information (plus I'm a cheapskate).

The biggest problem I see with people and their HR monitors is they don't know how to put on the chest strap. If your skin is dry it's not going to work properly. Once you break a sweat they work fine. They make a gel specifically for these things, you apply it to the sensors on the chest strap and that helps it pick up your heart's signal. You can also just spit on the sensors to get them wet right before you put it on. Sounds gross but the saliva will keep it wet long enough for you to start sweating. If you simply wet it with Water, it may or may not stay wet long enough...depends on how hot you get. The gel works well but it's not necessary. It's basically KY so you could use that instead I would think.

[abetterme4.2 268]

I agree with butter. It depends on your needs. A basic HR monitor will suit you find for calories in vs calories out. The ones with a best strap will give you a more accurate reading.

I prefer Polar and use the FT60. They just released this years model so it is considerably less than it was.

Hope this helps.

[Marbear 41]

I have used a Polar FT60 for years and still love it. Durable (truly - I'm hard on watches and this one just keeps going!) and waterproof; I wear it in swimming and showering. Regarding the chest strap, I run the sensor pad thingies under Water before putting them on and it works fine for me. My watch has my weight, height, and VO2 max entered, but you can just do height/weight and still get accurate feedback. I like the Polar website; you upload your info and track if you want, or set up programs and/or goals for yourself. I love having my workout info so measured, it helps me structure my workouts and see improvement. While I'm working out I can set the watch to show my HR, calories burned, time, etc. Some days I put it on calories to help me push through a crappy workout, "Ugh this sucks, my everything hurts, holy crap 50 more calories and I'll be on an even number! Go go go...!"

[amytug 996]

Thanks everyone! Indefinitely had a list of polars, including the ft4 in my Amazon wish list, an dim gonna go with that as a starter. I can't wait to play with it!!!! And I love the pink and copper color, can't decide.

Edit: maybe the ft4f which is only a couple more would be better. I don't swim, but it's Water resistant. I will run in the rain if necessary.

Well poop: I want it to tell the time too. Perhaps the white ft40f would be better. It's REALLY cute. Would anyone want to take a minute to tell me the main differences between the ft60 and the ft40f?

[Lighter&Faster 1]

I just got an Omron on Amazon that was $34 plus shipping. This was based upon the recommendation of Dr. Wolkodoff, (www.energyzone.org), after I did a VO2 profile recently. He said as long as it is basic, I could follow along with my zones on all the machines from the result of my VO2 Max test.

I have not had the time to post about the VO2 max test, but was really insightful to determine how I should train aerobically.

As a result, I am now doing two interval days and two aerobic days as my Anaerobic Threshold was low, and Dr. Wolkodoff said elevating this will allow me to burn more calories in my cardiozone. I did the test of a recumbent elliptical, as my hips won't fit on a regular bike yet. Apparently he did a study about Bariatric patients and VO2 and found the recumbent elliptical was a very good way to test these things as most of us don't fit well on a regular bike. If you are close to Denver, and want to improve your aerobic training and take the guesswork out of it, I highly suggest this test.

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

Where do I start? I would like to know how many calories I've burned as well as heart rate. Whatcha got? Love it?

Gotta make a pitch for mine:

http://www.polar.com..._with_Bluetooth

Paired with my Galaxy Note 2 and http://www.digifit.com/overview/

I get lots of stats related to my workout in realtime and afterwards. I sync it, and it uploads to DigitFit's website where it stores my workout info. DigiFit also talks to myfitnesspal and other apps.

My first Polar was an A5 I got in 2005 which I don't believe is made anymore. The ones you mentioned have far more features and are more expensive.