My husband is asking for a heart rate monitor for Christmas (which I'll probably end up using as well) and I don't know where to begin looking for one so I'm asking for help. I don't have a lot of time to run around to stores so was hoping to buy something online if I had enough good recommendations. I went to one of the links that Cathe gives which shows Polar heart rate monitors but the website doesn't give a lot of info on them - mainly a picture and price. I know Collage sells one for $80 (Cardio Zone is the name on the chest strap) but don't know how this one compares to others. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Polar dominates the market & makes a wide range of quality products. You might want to visit a running store, high end bike store or store that caters to triathletes to become familiar w/ the various features. Before you buy, you do want to figure out what features are important to you.
I have a Polar Accurex II that has lots of unused features but it has some features I couldn't get in a lower end model (at the time). It tracks the time spent below, in, & above my training zone for review after my workout. Some new versions will download this info into a computer training log. One feature mine doesn't have is a dual display (clock & heart rate). In fact if I check the time, I stop the HRM. Most HRMs have a audible warning if one is below or above their training zone. It's a good feature but make sure it can be turned off as it can be annoying. The night light is also a good feature. I can't always read my monitor during spinning classes.
Unless you & your husband have similar training zones, you might not want to share a monitor since the process of inputting the training zone takes a bit of time. Some gyms have cardio equipment that reads Polar monitors. If there's a possibility that you will be going to a gym, then go w/ Polar.
Bike Nashbar's catalog has a table that summarizes the various models & features. Maybe the website has the table too - www.bikenashbar.com.
Trevor (a regular here) uses a HRM. He might be able to recommend a specific model.
I have the Polar M52 and love it - just got it for my birthday in September. I am guessing it costs about $140 - 150. It can be programmed for two different users, so you and your husband could use it without having to change the settings. It has a light on it and tells you the calories/fat used during your workout.
My husband got it online from a vitamin site I think. I believe that buy.com has them for a reasonable price.
Erica
Hi,
I have a CardioSport Profile. The only reason I chose the CardioSport over the Polar was that the CardioSport transmitter battery is replacable. From what I understand is that the Polar needs to be sent in for a battery replacement.
Check out www.fitmed.com. They have a nice comparison of different heart rate monitors. I haven't checked to see if their prices are good or not. But do look around on pricing after you find what you want. I found at least a $30 difference in pricing depending on where I looked to buy.
I love mine...if I were lucky enough to have a hubby that wanted to work out and use it, it certainly could! (but I love my DH just the way he is ) I bought mine on ebay and got a decent price-$130 with shipping. Mercata has had them on their site too, I wonder if prices will be a little lower after the new year as sometimes they really market fitness and diet stuff for those oft ill-fated resolutions ;-)
julie
This one is probably the low end monitor that was previously mentioned, but I love it!! I got mine at SportsMart, and it was on sale for $40.00. Not bad I thought. I kept my box and on the back they have two different web addresses. They are, www.polar.fi and www.polarusa.com Check them out, maybe they will have a good price since they're the manufacturers. Hope this helps!!!
I have a polar pacer and love it. I got it at www.roadrunnersports.com They have a pretty big selection. also, do you have sports authority near you? They have a good selection as well. Polar is a respected name in the heart motitor field and makes a good product.
Wow! It looks like I have a bit of homework to do before I buy. My husband's a real gadget freak so I know he'll want one with all the bells and whistles. The dual feature where we can both enter our information on the same monitor would be great since it seems a real luxury to buy two - especially since I do my cardio in the morning and he does his during the day or at night. We don't have any Sports Authority stores that I know of here in the Milwaukee area. The closest store is probably in Chicago. We have Fitness Works, Fitness Equipment, etc. so I'll have to make a stop there and pick some salesperson's brain. I was reading some of my fitness magazines last night and saw Timex heart monitors so I was going to check into those. However, if Polar is dominant in the market, I'd prefer to stay with a known brand. Thanks for everyone's help!
The battery on my Polar lasted 6 or 7 years which means it shouldn't be why one chooses a different make. The cost of the replacement was $13 (including return shipping) plus the cost of mailing it to Polar. The Polars can be used by swimmers which is why consumers can't replace the batteries themselves (because of the waterproof seal).
I just bought the Polar M52 and I love it!! It has all the bells and whistles and then some. I personally don't use it all, however, I share it with my husband since you can program it for 2 users. I paid $ 146 for it (incl. shipping)at www.wellquest.com, everywhere else it was between 170-199, so I thought it was a pretty good deal. It might be worth to check them out, they have a huge selection of Heart Rate Monitors at great prices.
Anyone notice skin irritation from their heart rate monitor?
With the recommendations I received for a heart rate monitor and by doing a little research on my own, I went with the Polar M52 model. Thank you everyone for your input. My husband and I both love it and it was in an odd way reassuring to know that when I thought I was working really hard, the heart rate monitor showed it. I've made some modifications like lowering my step height for some videos and doing low impact when I get really winded during MIC so I think the purchase was a good one. I always felt before that if I wasn't "going all out" like Cathe and the others on the video, that I was somehow cheating. Now I know that when my heart rate is in the upper range of my target heart range :-tired (using the Karvonen Formula which I think is more accurate for me), it's OKAY to slow down.
My only problem is that since I wore the monitor during Cardio Kicks, my skin on my chest has been irritated by the chest strap whenever I workout with the chest strap on. It could have been the knee smashes or some other move from CK that caused the strap to dig into my skin. I'm talking about the center piece that says "Polar" on it that rests right below your bra line. I also noticed more irritation after MIC. My workout bra rests right over the strap so it's probably causing some slipping to occur. Would one of those specialized bras made to fit the chest strap work better? Either that or I could try my longer bra tops (that come down to my waist) to see if I get the same thing. Just curious if anyone else has had this problem. . .
RE: Anyone notice skin irritation from their heart rate monitor?
shakeubooty--
Polar makes an exercise bra in three colors (black, white, red) that you can use with the transmitter without using the elastic strap. Check it out at http://www.heartmonitors.com/polarheartbra.htm .
Oh, darn, another reason to buy more workout gear ;-)!
RE: Anyone notice skin irritation from their heart rate monitor?
I haven't had any skin irritation with my monitor, but just noticed that you mentioned your from Milwaukee in an earlier post. I live near Waterford (Western Racine) but work in New Berlin. Just wanted to shout Hi to a neighbor.
Dawn W
A lubricant like BodyGlide or Aquaphor might help. I get Body Glide at a running specialty store. The Aquaphor is easier to find - should be at most drug stores. It's great for chapped hands which is what it's really designed to do.
RE: Anyone notice skin irritation from their heart rate monitor?
Actually I live in Waukesha so I'm pretty close to where you are. Wouldn't it be great if a group of us (any more Wisconsinites out there?) went on the Cathe Road Trip? My husband is sweet enough to let me go even though I suspect that deep down he thinks I'm a little crazy ;-)
Yes that would be great !!! I haven't mentioned the possibility of it to my husband yet, but I'm sure I could swing it. He'll think I'm nuts also. I ocassionally invite my husband to work out with me, but so far no luck. Sounds like you don't work out with your husband either, since you have different schedules. At least he works out, I would think that would make him understand perhaps a little.
Anyone hear anything about the next Cathe Road trip? Are these usually once or twice a year? I know these are tougher for Cathe now with Eric, so they may not have them as often. :-(
Dawn W
