Heart Rate Monitor opinions?

A

azcatz

Member
Hi all--

I mostly lurk, but am tiptoeing out to ask about HR monitors. Do you use one? Which do you like best? I'm thinking of the Polar F6, but the reviews I read suggest the F11. I'm not sure if I need all the bells and whistles of the F11 (in addition to the higher price!).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Julie
 
Hi, Julie! :)

You are in the same boat I was when I made my purchase. My decision came down to vanity...I wanted the PINK model, so I chose the F6 model.

I only use my monitor for keeping tabs on my calorie burn and to make sure I am working up to my target hr when I exercise. So, the F6 works perfectly for me.

I found this link to compare the F6 to the F11 and the F4...
http://www.polarusa.com/consumer/weightmgt/products.asp
Click on the "Compare Weight Management Models".

I hope it helps you!
xoxo, Denise :)
 
Julie...I have had many HR monitors over the years as I like knowing what my heart is doing. I recently purchased the F6 and I really like the features. Especially the Sonic Link where you can transfer your workouts to the Polar Personal Trainer site, and then you can see all the workouts in the week. I can even add my running workouts as I use a different watch for those....:)
 
I think your choice boils down to what exact features do you want or need, and what your budget will allow. I have the F6, it fits my current needs. Sometimes, though, when out biking or walking, I wish I had a Garmin ... but that'll have to wait as it is truly a want at this time.

Have fun with whichever one you get!

Deb
 
Hi! I waivered for a long time, but finally purchased the pink F6 last week when I saw free overnight shipping special. I absolutely love it so far and, like the previous poster, wanted pink :) It keeps you pushing in workouts and also tells you where to potentially slow down. I'd recommend one, and I've only had this model.


HTH
Jane
 
I use a Garmin Forerunner 305 for my workouts. I love this thing. I also do outside stuff (ride horses) and this works great for that, too. If you're willing to spend the $$ on the Polar F11, totally check out the Garmin FR 305. You can pick it up for about $155 after a $50 mail-in-rebate.

I use it for interval training on the treadmill, too, to keep track of my intervals. Once a week, I do interval training based on HR. I warm up nicely, then run at 6 mph until my HR reaches 170 (about 90% max for me). I then recover at a walk until my HR drops to 127. I repeat that 9 times, do a cool down and a Stretch Max segment. I set the intervals up on the Forerunner before I ever start and it beeps at me when to change my speed so I don't have to keep an eye on the clock or even my HR. Extremely handy. Then I can download the information to my computer and compare my HR from week to week to see how I'm improving.

Either way, I just don't workout without my heart rate monitor. I can't allow my HR to go too high for too long or I have to deal with respiratory problems, so it's really important for me to monitor my HR and control my workouts.

April
 
Not sure about the particular Polar HRM models you mentioned, but several of them have not had user-replaceable batteries which was a major consideration for me.

I have a Nike Imara HRM with the same features as a mid-range Polar HRM. Love it! Been using it for 2.5yr and haven't replaced a battery yet-but they ARE user-replaceable.
 
Thanks everyone--

I went ahead and ordered the Polar F6 (in the lovely shade of Pink, of course :))

I'm looking forward to trying it out and seeing if I'm working as hard as I think I am!

Thanks again,

Julie
 
I have been seriously thinking of getting the Polar F6 model too. But, after reading some posts I am concerned about not being able to replace the battery myself which i guess means you have to send it somewhere? please post when you get a minute about whether or not you can take the watch to a battery store to have it replaced or if you have to send it to the company. That would be a total bummer.

Thanks in advance for the info and I hope you like the watch!


T.

:)
 
Julie, I've had many polar HRMs over the years and the simplest ones are my favorites. Unless you really want to spend a lot of time reading manuals, and unless you have 3 hands, the simple models do the job much better, in my opinion. Of course, I'm assuming that you actually want to monitor your heart rate. I know some people buy them to "count" calories but I have no interest in that. (The treadmills at the gym give me that info, and it's good enough for me.) I find that the more complicated the HRM, the harder it is to find out what your heart rate is. I now have an FS1 and I love it!
 
Hey T--

I got my F6 and it does say to send it back to the company for battery replacement. It says that if you don't, they don't guarantee the waterproofing/resistancy. I've read, though, about other folks taking it to the jeweler/watch repair and having the batteries done there. So, I think it CAN be done and probably would work out just fine--just have to be aware that it will void the warranty regarding water resistancy.

Julie

(p.s. I'm still playing with my new toy, but I'm thinking I like it)
 
I started with the F6 and loved it. I bought the F11 last year and loved it even more. Either is very good, but I like all the bells and whistles of the F11(it calls me elite when I do the fitness test, wahoo).
 
Is the one you are talking about also a Polar? I'm pretty stupid when it comes to electronics - that's why I married my husband!! hahaha if I can get a good heart rate monitor and not pay $110 for it I would rather do that!!
Thanks!
T.
 
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