Can you recommend a heart rate monitor for me please?

LegacyUser

I would like one that is similar to the polar f6/f11 range or whatever you guys think would be suitable for me. I just want to know my target zone and calories etc. Just something basic for the gym ya know? Polar do not seem to have a great reputation on boards(well their newer models anyway) so I was wondering do you know of any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks guys....

LegacyUser

Having a bit more of a think about it, speed and distance would be a handy feature to have on it too but ya know yourself, it is not essential...any ideas?

LegacyUser

bump!

Kinetic^

Instead of creating a new thread I'm going to hijack this one and go ask for a reply to the OP's question.

cousin_borat

Get the Oregon Scientific HRM they have in Arnotts. Cheap and provides all the functionality you'd need. I bought one last year.

Kinetic^

cousin_borat wrote:

Get the Oregon Scientific HRM they have in Arnotts. Cheap and provides all the functionality you'd need. I bought one last year.

Thanks m8.

zAbbo

I've a Polar F5, and its very handy for the gym, as the heart rate shows up on all the Precor Cardio machines. Although I think Polar's recent models are not of the same high quality of their older models.

Aedh Baclamh

What functions are on the Oregon one?

cousin_borat

You create a profile based on age, weight sex. This calculates your heart rate range's for moderate or high intensity exercise.

When youre running you can see your heart rate and you can also set a vibration alert to go off when your heart rate is too high or too low. Thats all you need.

Aedh Baclamh

Okay, I thought it might calculate speed and distance. What would I be looking at for something along those lines?

cousin_borat

To be honest in most cases a speed reading is an unnecessary feature.

One of the main reasons of using a HRM when running is that you keep your heart rate in or around the correct rate for the type of training session you're performing.

This negates the need for a speed reading on the monitor, since you're guaging your running pace by your heart rate. You speed up and slow down according to your reading.

As for distance most people have a set distance they jog or run, or they run on a track so they have a pretty good idea. Again not really a necessary feature on a HRM for the majority of persons.

Aedh Baclamh

Good point actually. Might invest in this Oregon one. Do you use a HRM yourself? Find it has improved your running?

cousin_borat

I use the Oregon for running. Found it great, taught me to listen to my body. Was able to run much further because I was able to pace myself correctly sticking to the correct Heart rate range.

Aedh Baclamh

Cool, which model was that?

Aedh Baclamh

What's the point in the Smart Trainer mode when you can just use the stopwatch function and still get all the stats?

rubadub

How much is the one in arnotts. There are cheap ones on ebay would they be any use at all? I like the vibration warning idea rather than having to keep looking.

PowerHouseDan

I have a Heart Rate Monitor for sale in the fs general if anyone is interested

Johnny Storm

FWIW I got a Polar one that has a heart sensor that goes on a big elastic band around your chest and is wirlessly connected to the watch.
This doesnt work for me at all. I find it very uncomfortable to do aerobic exercise with a poxy big huge elastic band constricting my lungs. If you put it on loosely it falls off.
Your mileage may vary.

cousin_borat

Aedh Baclamh wrote:

What's the point in the Smart Trainer mode when you can just use the stopwatch function and still get all the stats?

Smart Trainer mode?

Aedh Baclamh

Yeah, do you not have that on your one?

cousin_borat

Sorry, I looked it up and it does.
Thats the one. They have them in Arnotts.
http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/oregon_scientific.html#hr308