Heart Rate Monitor Advice

**Timbuk2**

Hi everybody

I've been in the gym a while now and getting good results, but to make my workouts more effecient I am considering buying a heart rate monitor.

All I want is a heart rate monitor that displays my current heart rate and the calories I've burned (for example in a spin class).

However looking through the Argos catalogue it is not clear what the difference between each HRM is.

1. Do all heart rate monitors use wireless chest straps or only the ones that state they do?
2. If the description just states that it includes a chest strap, can it be assumed that this is a wireless chest strap?
3. On some of the descriptions, it states "compatible with most gym equipment". What does this mean? I was under the impression that heart rate monitors were completely separate from the piece of equipment being used.

Does anyone have any expierence/recommendations of any of the HRMs here?
Argos Link

Thanks in advance!

youtheman

1. Yes (I think so). I wouldn't touch one that didn't. You may be able to get one that can sense the pulse on your wrist, but I can't see how it can be reliable.
2. Yes. Assume wireless.
3. This means that you only have to wear the chest strap (the transmitter). A compatible receiver is built into the gym apparatus. So you can set a max heart beat on the treadmill, and when it reaches this limit it will automatically slow down the machine to maintain the hear beat (within a certain + or -). It can also raise or lower the incline to get the same result. At the end of your workout it will then give you a summary (time, calories, distance etc).

If I was you I would only look at 'Polar' heart rate monitors. They are the most common, and best units available.

scquinn

I highly recommend the Polar F6. Its easy to use, it tells you your heart rate, calories burned, max and avg heart rate for each session, % of fat burned, "inzone" time. It also gives you a weekly summary of total hours training, calorie burn etc. And it keeps your workouts on file so you can look back over them.

arybvtcw0eolkf

The only problem with the Polar is they need to be sent away to have their batteries changed when the batt die's.

OP once you start training with a HRM you'll never look back, good move.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for the advice!

Will probably go with a Polar one seeing as they are the best. Not sure I like the fact about having to send them away to replace the batteries. Do the batteries die down often?

The Polar F6 looks great, but I'm wondering do cheaper versions of heart rate monitors, such as the Polar FS3C display calories burned as well (the Argos description does not make this clear)

Thanks again!

Johnny Storm

I had a Polar one. Just my 2 cents but IMHO it's quite difficult to exercise and breathe freely with what amounts to a big elastic band around your chest.

smithslist

Johnny Storm wrote: »

I had a Polar one. Just my 2 cents but IMHO it's quite difficult to exercise and breathe freely with what amounts to a big elastic band around your chest.

u sure the strap is not to tight around ur chest? it shuldnt be un-comfortably wrapped around ur chest.

j@utis

I have Polar FT40. It can transfer my training results to computer what makes it easier to review them later. But the 'thingy' called 'flowlink' used to connect wrist watch to pc doesn't come with the set and you have to buy it for additional 60-70eur (it seems none of their watches come with it although their descriptions say 'PC connectivity').
Also you get used to chest strap. I even don't notice wearing it now. And the booklet says you can change battery yourself but you have to use new o-ring seals everytime you do it to ensure the watch & transmitter remain water resistant.

pavb2

Hi All

Sorry if this should be on a new thread

I've recently been given a Garmin 50 and technically find it easy to use but what should I be analysing and what targets and goals should I set or monitor to get the best out of it.

Thanks

holdfast

Just got the Suunto T4, good watch it allows you to set goals and use coach. the training effect feature adjusts to ensure you are training long enough and hard enough to hit your targets.

one bad point got HR belt that records your training aswell as an extra with it and the battery life is very short on this.

worth have a look at suunto IMO

chicken_food

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.ph...=102056&cat=52
I've got this up for sale if anyones interested. Heart rate monitors aren't part of my training, so its surplus to demands really.

scquinn

The cheststrap on the polar is adjustble so you shouldn't feel like you cant breathe. I have hear the batterys can be changed in a jewellers, not sure if thats true or not.

catch88

I tried lots of places for a polar HM (argos all sold out in Jervis). Anyone know where i can purchase a polar in Dublin other than online?

j@utis

dun loaghaire:
http://www.irishfit.eu/

arybvtcw0eolkf

catch88 wrote: »

I tried lots of places for a polar HM (argos all sold out in Jervis). Anyone know where i can purchase a polar in Dublin other than online?

Just to let you know.

I'm using the CardioSport HR monitor almost daily and love it.

It can be purchased in Dublin and doesn't need to be sent away for a battery replacement.



In over 20 yrs training its probably the best bit of kit I've purchased. But regardless of the make, if you want to take your cardio to another level I'd recommend a HR monitor whole heartedly.

.

Theresalwaysone

http://www.wiggle.co.uk lads, best and cheapest place to buy HRMs.

**Timbuk2**

Mairt,
that CardioSport GT2 HRM looks excellent, but I'm not sure I'd be able to buy it in Dundalk

eclectichoney

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

http://www.wiggle.co.uk lads, best and cheapest place to buy HRMs.

+1 wiggle are great for stuff like that. Free delivery which is pretty fast too and with the low sterling it's probably a good time to buy one!

catch88

Does the Polar F6 come with the transmitter belt?

eclectichoney

catch88 wrote: »

Does the Polar F6 come with the transmitter belt?

Yep

666bxg

I'm a beginner in using HRMs but I've just bought a wireless HRM from LIDL for €16.99

It's fairly basic showing HR / zone / max etc. For a beginner I think it suits my needs very well. And by the way, it works flawlessly with my gym equipment.

Its water resistant and the battery can be changed easily and bought from any store.

cheers

arybvtcw0eolkf

666bxg wrote: »

I'm a beginner in using HRMs but I've just bought a wireless HRM from LIDL for €16.99

It's fairly basic showing HR / zone / max etc. For a beginner I think it suits my needs very well. And by the way, it works flawlessly with my gym equipment.

Its water resistant and the battery can be changed easily and bought from any store.

cheers

I've a mate in work who bought the Lidl HRM about two years ago, he use's it daily without any trouble.

.

catch88

So i got the F6 and its great but one thing i don't understand is the fat percentage reading i.e

My workout file says i burnt:

649 CAL
30% Fat

over 1 hr 4 mins.

What does the fat percentage thing mean? Because earlier i tested the F6 for the first time when i brought my dog out for a stroll where my heart rate was considerably lower and it said :

101 CAL
60% Fat

54 mins

How is it that the fat percentage is higher for a walk? What does the fat percentage thing even mean?

Any advice would be appreciated.

j@utis

it says how many % of your burnt calories came from fat. the higher intesity workout the less calories will come from fat because it's harder/takes longer for the body to obtain the energy from fat.
and I must say 649kcal in 64mins with 30% of kcal from fat is kinda impressive comperring to mine for example 587kcal in 61mins 18% from fat why is it so!?!?!

catch88

j@utis wrote: »

it says how many % of your burnt calories came from fat. the higher intesity workout the less calories will come from fat because it's harder/takes longer for the body to obtain the energy from fat.
and I must say 649kcal in 64mins with 30% of kcal from fat is kinda impressive comperring to mine for example 587kcal in 61mins 18% from fat why is it so!?!?!

Gosh i dont know

Ive only been going to the gym for 4 weeks.

To be honest i was very surprised at how many calories my h.r. was telling me that i was burning when i was just using some of the weight machines. Had i just gone by the gym equip data and obviously having no data for the weights i would have burned 350 kcals.

Im 27 and 8.75 stones.

Maybe the h.r is wrong? i hope not cos i wouldnt know how to change it since i entered all of my body data correctly as far as i know.