Heart Rate Monitors?

[judegirl]

I don't yet have a heart rate monitor, and it seems like a majority of the Cathe-ites here use them regularly. How necessary are they? Is using the "perceived exertion scale" good enough? What are some good (and preferably inexpensive - my Cathe purchases have my wallet screaming!) monitors that you can recommend, and where is a good place to find them?

Thanks!

 

[swayzepetsitting]

I don't think that a heart rate monitor is necessary for most people, but it is helpful. I just ordered the polar f11 hrm so that I can see how many calories I am actually burning during a workout. I ordered it from amazon for about $150. I will let you know how it works when I get it.

I know that you are just aching for more ways to spend your money , so I would suggest getting some shoes for indoor training, if you don't already have some. I just bought a pair of ryka shoes and they make such a difference with the step workouts. I am much lighter on my feet now, even with the step at 8".

 

[judegirl]

Yeah, I keep hearing about those Ryka shoes. Where can I find them? Does anyone know if Nordstrom might carry them? I have ridiculous size 11 feet, so finding shoes is kind of tough. Right now I've been wearing Nike cross-trainers, but I wear through shoes in 6 months or so with the amount of walking and stepping I do, so I'm sure I'll be in the market again sometime soon.

 

[steppin]

I have a polar rs200 with heart monitor and it is wonderful. I can download all my info into polartraining.com It's the best purchase I've made. $130.00 from lifetime fitness.:7

 

[fox2star]

I have the Polar F6 which I got at a Dick's Sporting Goods store for around $79. I love my HRM and never workout without it! If calorie count is what you are interested in, the F6 is perfect! The higher up models have a lot of bells & whistles that I know I would never use, that's why I got the F6. It has a lot of features too, but calories is what I use all the time.

Regarding the Ryka's, make sure if you can to get the Enlight II's..( not Enlight I). There is a woman who sells them on Ebay periodically that I heard through this site is very reliable.. unfortunetly I cannot remember her name!