Heart beats per minute monitor?

hamster

Is there such an item on the market that you could wear while training or running and look at a small (tiny) display that shows what your pulse is?

Something like a strap that you put around your chest while running and you could occasionally look at the rate to see whether you are pushing yourself or not?

Anyone know?

daveirl

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tunney

If you are getting a Heart Rate Monitor the best bet is, as Dave said, to get a Polar. State of the art, reliable, and well really simply the best. They have models for all needs and the best link to look at is probably www.polar.fi (might as well look at the proper site dave ) Spend a little extra and get one that you won't "grow out" of. (Damn I will I got the S610 and not the S210)

Genghis

Polar are undoubtedly the best HRMs you can buy. Not only do they have sophisticated recording and statistics options (that can sync with your pc to create a training log), they also work seamlessly with most gym equipment, making the stats on those machines more relevant also.

I have seen them for sale in some Champion Sports, Elverys and in my Gym (where I'd expect them to be most expensive.

However, you pay for what you get; and I wish I could afford a Polar! There are cheaper versions available - Maplins sell one for around €50, and I have seen a cheaper one in some sports shop in town for less than that. They might be an option IF you just want to try them out, perhaps using them once a week to 'calibrate' your training from time to time. I can testify that they are NOT intended for 'everyday' training / or if you prioritise absolutely accurate readings.

BTW, if it is running you are into, there is a 'Timex Bodylink' which combines a HRM, GPRS-powered 'Speed and Distance' monitor, a data recording device, etc. See the following link .

tunney

Best place to buy Polars is either Arnotts or Cyclways. Don't buy in any of the normal "honest we are a sports shop" sports shops.

As for the Timex unit that Genghis mentioned, as the proud owner of a Polar S210 and a Timex Bodylink system I'd have to whole heartedly recommend both Yip couldn't tell someone which to get as both are amazing. However from a purely HRM point of view the Polar unit is superior. I tend to use the timex unit on runs where distance and pace is an issue and the polar on runs where HR is an issue and on interval sessions. On the bikes I use the Polar for my 10 ten mile cycles to and from work cause I have a speedo on my commuter, but at the weekend I use the Timex as I don't have a speedo on my good bike.

What I am really looking forward to is when I get my hands on the Data Recorder for the Timex Bodylink, being able to graph HR against Pace will be great for running.

Anyways time to end this rant - both the Timex and Polar are great. But if you are primarily a runner get the Timex, if you are primarily a cyclist get a Polar S720i and if you haven't get money to burn get a lower end Polar for about e120 in Cycleways/Arnotts.

daveirl

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tunney

Mah. Dave where have you been check out www.timex.com/bodylink It does everything that the one you posted does and alot more (And I have one:))

daveirl

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tunney

dave, really sorry to break it to ya but that IS the old version of the Bodylink. The Bodylink is the replacement for that one. I nearly bought one at start of the summer until I found out that the new version was coming out. Also the one you posted is NOT compatabile with HR data, where Timex confuse people here is that the old watch is compatable with the Data recorder from the new system. In short that watch is obselete The new one is everything the old one was and more, and its done better

As for accuracy, yeah its pretty accurate, it can lose the signal from time to time but generally is because you're running under a bridge or something.

daveirl

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