heart rate monitors

cdanko

cdanko

Active Member
My spin instructor says we should all be using heart rate monitors. Wondering how many of you guys use these? From what she was telling us, it makes a lot of sense to make training more effective. Has it helped those of you who use these? Thanks
 
I used a heart rate monitor and loved it! I let my sister barrow it a while ago and she lost it x( It is a really great tool and it helps you train effectively based on your goals, like if you are focused on steady state in an aerobic or fat burning zone or for interval training. Definitely worth the investment!

Missy
 
I have used one for about 10-12 years. I find it very effective with my running. I do speed workouts based on my heart rate so I'd hate not having one. It helped so much in my first marathon knowing not to push too hard in the beginning which will kill you in the end if you start out too fast...:)...Carole
 
I've been using a HRM for several months, and now I can't imagine working out without one! It really helps me stay on track in my workouts, and I can continuously adjust my level of effort to stay in a target zone. I can also be sure I'm really pushing myself during interval training. It's a fabulous gadget! :)
 
Hey ladies! Gooood morning!:D I was wondering where you could get a really good heart rate monitor. Plus...is it like a watch or something your strap around your chest or what? I'm thinking about getting one, just not sure how these HR monitors work. Thanks everyone!:)
 
I love my Polar HR monitor. I download my readings onto a computer Calandar via infrared technology along with my daily exercises. It gives me a reading of each of my HR zones, how many calories I burned and also calculates weekly readings (so I can compare weeks). I can also compare the exercises on graphs and charts. My watch is over 3 years old (polar i650), but the capabilities are endless and polar continues to send me undated software when available (great company). It does make me work harder and more effectively. It also shows me which exercises and workouts are real burners.

For me, it's been a great investment.

Robin;-)
 
Totally hooked on mine and couldn't live without it. When the battery dies, I go crazy without it for a few days. It really helps you to vary your aerobic intensity, i.e., make sure you work hard enough on an Imax DVD and when you're doing a recovery workout, you can make sure you keep your heartrate lower if that's what your aiming for. I know sometimes I think I'm actually working out harder than I am. That's when a HRM really comes in handy.
 
I LOVE my Polar a5! Can't go wrong with Polar, I have yet to hear a foul word and you won't from me! I bought mine from www.heartratemonitorsusa.com and had great service. Also, I shopped around and they had the best prices.

It is so helpful to have during a race because like Carol said, it helps keep your excitement from getting the best of you.
 
Yes, I have a Polar and I wear for all my workouts. I spin and YES, it does help because you will know when you are in your aerobic zone or anaerobic zone, so it does make sense to have one.

Linda
 
I loved mine. I've worn out the battery and had to send it back for them to replace it. I want it back!!! But it will take a few weeks (counting the 2 weeks it sat on my table waiting for me to put it in the mail).

I use it primarily with my running, I find running without it boring and difficult. When I'm wearing it, I race against myself and keep my target HR in mind, so I feel like I'm being effective.
 
Lanie- it's both. You wear a chest strap that monitors the heart rate and the strap beams the data to the wristwatch part. They have super fancy ones and simple ones, prices varying accordingly.
 
I use a very basic HR monitor right now, and I would like to get one with more features that is easy to use. I have been looking at the Polar HR monitors and I like the "S" and "AXN" series..does anyone have the Polar F6 or F11?

I like the idea of downloading the information on my computer and looking at my workouts. I also like the interval trainer feature so I can do HIIT without having to look at my watch.


:)
 
The chest strap on the HM I bought didn't fit real snug so my hear rate wouldn't show up. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem? I hate to let the thing go to waste, but I can't seem to get it to work.

Ashley
 
Just an FYI--
I have a Polar S610 and when the battery was low I called Polar about making sure I will filling out the form correctly to send it in(you can download it)and the guy asked me when did I buy it--evidently my "warranty" had run out so he told me that I could just as well find a watch place close to home to change the battery(they have other location info on their website also), which I did and it works fine. I haven't had to get the monitoring chest strap changed yet though, I'll have to go thru them to do that I guess.

I don't use all the features, I'm more interested in the calories burned and the min/max settings type info, though I COULD download the info,(which is a great feature), but I don't use it. I always seem to buy the toys with all the bells and whistles just in case I want to use them.

Happy shopping!

Mary
 
Ashley, is it adjustable? My band is in 2 parts, the hard rubber part that has the transmitter in it and then the elastic chest strap that you can adjust....you might contact the company for help...:)...Carole
 
Ashley--
The Polar I bought came with a "medium" size strap, I had to order a small, which I wouldn't say I'm "small", but even shortening the medium wasn't as snug as I wanted. I would see if they have a smaller size unless there's a way for you to shorten it and sew it smaller yourself.
I wasn't sure I would be able to do that without it "rubbing" when I ran in some way, so I just ordered a new one.

Hope this helps.

Mary
 
My Christmas list has an S210 on it. I looked at them a few months ago and wrote it down. I've got my fingers crossed!!

Hmm. I wish I had read this before I sent it to Polar, thanks Mary!! I didn't authorize them to spend much money on the battery- I told them just to send it back to me instead and I'd get a new monitor. The one I have doesn't even measure calories it's so old! But very useful nonetheless.

Bells and whistles are fabulous whether you use them or not. :D
 
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