Polar Heart Rate Monitor
- Thread starter dr.mel_PT
- Start date
syzygy314
Cathlete
As long as you don't need any fancy functions, the F4 is perfect! I have the F6 which is the same as the F4 except that I can download my workouts to the free Polar website and track my workouts. I love it! It's easy to use and it was reasonably priced! I also had a $10 gift card from Dick's, so I got it a little cheaper.
upnorthchick
Cathlete
ITA! Polar F4 works great! I've had mine for over 4 years and I love it. No problems with it whatsoever! If you want to track on the computer go with the F6. Good luck with your purchase!
jamiehorn20
Active Member
Just wanted to add that I have the F6 and I love it. It does come with a chest strap.
upnorthchick
Cathlete
Yep, both models come with a chest strap.
icumom
Cathlete
Oh my favorite topic!!!!Love my gadgets! I did research for days - such fun...BUT, I was all about the Polar 4...well, ok, close to payday, I was all over the 6,but then I looked at the timex - and it has INDIGLO! So I can check out my heart rate while teaching hot yoga (in the cold fall, we keep the lights dim and I just HAVE to know my HR!)...and I can check the time at night to see how long I have to sleep...
I've had it 2 weeks and LOVE it! It is simple - hr, calories, hi and low heart rates...if you're in the zone...and it was 50 bucks or so! Check em out on amazon...
I went to the Y the past couple days and the machines pick up the monitor too! So I don't have to look at my watch, and they correlated perfectly...a bit unsettling to have one's heart talk to the treadmill - and I wonder if they talk behind my back....
I've had it 2 weeks and LOVE it! It is simple - hr, calories, hi and low heart rates...if you're in the zone...and it was 50 bucks or so! Check em out on amazon...
I went to the Y the past couple days and the machines pick up the monitor too! So I don't have to look at my watch, and they correlated perfectly...a bit unsettling to have one's heart talk to the treadmill - and I wonder if they talk behind my back....
sancho
Cathlete
I just got an F6 and it's great for what you want (the F4 probably is also, I wanted some computer capability). Mine was $109 at Dick's Sporting goods but I had a $25 off $100 coupon so I got it for $85. I've seen it online for around $99. You can use Sports Authority coupons at Dicks and there was one on the paper this weekend, so there is probably one online also.
dr.mel_PT
Cathlete
GreenEyedLefty
Cathlete
"I went to the Y the past couple days and the machines pick up the monitor too! So I don't have to look at my watch, and they correlated perfectly...a bit unsettling to have one's heart talk to the treadmill - and I wonder if they talk behind my back...."
ICUmom, this is so funny, my (apparently ancient) Polar A4 is also picked up telemetrically by the machines at my local Y. However, I think my HRM tracks my calorie burn more accurately since it knows my age, weight and gender.
ICUmom, this is so funny, my (apparently ancient) Polar A4 is also picked up telemetrically by the machines at my local Y. However, I think my HRM tracks my calorie burn more accurately since it knows my age, weight and gender.
jamiehorn20
Active Member
Just FYI, http://www.woot.com has a heart rate monitor on sale today for $25! I don't know anything about this brand, but it appears to have nice functionality.
RunninTeach
Cathlete
I have a Polar F6, but I am thinking of going to a strap-free version. This one seemed to get good reviews on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Impact-Sports-Strapless-Monitor-Calorimeter/dp/B0019ZDIOK/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IG83UZWXQ4QDR&colid=26XXYYZJM6MBD
http://www.amazon.com/Impact-Sports-Strapless-Monitor-Calorimeter/dp/B0019ZDIOK/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IG83UZWXQ4QDR&colid=26XXYYZJM6MBD
FitGirl-ATX
Cathlete
Just thought I'd chime in on this post:
As a fitness professional, I've owned several Polar HRM's over the years. I use them faithfully in my indoor cycling classes. They've been an invaluable tool for maximizing my training time.
Polar certainly has a vast product line, and I personally think that they are a reputable, high quality brand. I will admit that I do get overwhelmed when I look at their current website; if I weren't an existing customer, I wouldn't know where to start and would probably look at other brands. For basic fitness & group exercise classes, I recommend the Polar F4 or F6 since they monitor & display your heart rate, offer tracking, and allow you to set your own heart rate limits. No matter what brand or model you decide upon, I definitely recommend getting a HRM that allows you to set your own heart rate limits and one that eliminates cross-talk (i.e. picking up the heart rate of someone close by who also has a HRM). I have owned the Polar M52, A5, and F6 models; the M52 was my favorite, but they don't make it any more. The A5 was too basic for me and didn't have some of the features that I wanted. I like the F6 because it has the Polarlink upload feature, has a comprehensive diary feature, and has the ability to manually set your heart rate limits. There are aspects of the F6 that I find annoying, but for me it's a pretty comprehensive tool.
As for determining your own heart rate training zones:
Aside from doing a true fitness test, I recommend determining you own heart rate zones using the Karvonean Formula. There are several on-line calculators these days that will calculate your heart rate training zones for you, given only your age & true resting heart rate. you can determine your true resting heart rate by counting your pulse for 1 minute when you wake up in the morning, before getting out of bed or stirring around. you could even wear your HRM to bed and check the pulse when you wake up. take the average over 3 days and you have your starting true resting heart rate. You'll want to re-establish your baseline every 3-4 months, because as your fitness level improves, your resting heart rate should decrease.
Here is a decent Karvonean calculator that will do all the math for you: http://www.briancalkins.com/HeartRate.htm
If anyone is interested in learning more about the science behind the Karvonean formula, just PM me. **edited: actually, i remember that i posted about the heart rate training topic a few years ago that has the information that i am offering to PM - http://www.thecathenation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206945 **
Oh, more more thing about HRM's:
Make sure you know how to replace the watch battery. Polar HRMs have to go out to the distribution center to have the battery replaced. Replacing the battery yourself voids the warranty and will likely destroy the watch (I speak from personal experience). One of my user guides explicitly stated that the watch has to be sent back to polar for replacement, and that if you use a standard watch battery, the watch won't work. It is true - lol. The good thing is that 1) it does take a long time for the battery to die (took mine about 3 years, using frequently) and 2) the price of battery replacement has decreased drastically. Replacement for mine cost about $18, including shipping & tax.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope it is helpful in some way!
Enjoy your search for a HRM!!
As a fitness professional, I've owned several Polar HRM's over the years. I use them faithfully in my indoor cycling classes. They've been an invaluable tool for maximizing my training time.
Polar certainly has a vast product line, and I personally think that they are a reputable, high quality brand. I will admit that I do get overwhelmed when I look at their current website; if I weren't an existing customer, I wouldn't know where to start and would probably look at other brands. For basic fitness & group exercise classes, I recommend the Polar F4 or F6 since they monitor & display your heart rate, offer tracking, and allow you to set your own heart rate limits. No matter what brand or model you decide upon, I definitely recommend getting a HRM that allows you to set your own heart rate limits and one that eliminates cross-talk (i.e. picking up the heart rate of someone close by who also has a HRM). I have owned the Polar M52, A5, and F6 models; the M52 was my favorite, but they don't make it any more. The A5 was too basic for me and didn't have some of the features that I wanted. I like the F6 because it has the Polarlink upload feature, has a comprehensive diary feature, and has the ability to manually set your heart rate limits. There are aspects of the F6 that I find annoying, but for me it's a pretty comprehensive tool.
As for determining your own heart rate training zones:
Aside from doing a true fitness test, I recommend determining you own heart rate zones using the Karvonean Formula. There are several on-line calculators these days that will calculate your heart rate training zones for you, given only your age & true resting heart rate. you can determine your true resting heart rate by counting your pulse for 1 minute when you wake up in the morning, before getting out of bed or stirring around. you could even wear your HRM to bed and check the pulse when you wake up. take the average over 3 days and you have your starting true resting heart rate. You'll want to re-establish your baseline every 3-4 months, because as your fitness level improves, your resting heart rate should decrease.
Here is a decent Karvonean calculator that will do all the math for you: http://www.briancalkins.com/HeartRate.htm
If anyone is interested in learning more about the science behind the Karvonean formula, just PM me. **edited: actually, i remember that i posted about the heart rate training topic a few years ago that has the information that i am offering to PM - http://www.thecathenation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206945 **
Oh, more more thing about HRM's:
Make sure you know how to replace the watch battery. Polar HRMs have to go out to the distribution center to have the battery replaced. Replacing the battery yourself voids the warranty and will likely destroy the watch (I speak from personal experience). One of my user guides explicitly stated that the watch has to be sent back to polar for replacement, and that if you use a standard watch battery, the watch won't work. It is true - lol. The good thing is that 1) it does take a long time for the battery to die (took mine about 3 years, using frequently) and 2) the price of battery replacement has decreased drastically. Replacement for mine cost about $18, including shipping & tax.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope it is helpful in some way!
Enjoy your search for a HRM!!
Last edited:
dr.mel_PT
Cathlete
Thanks for all your advice, ladies!! I really appreciate it
I'm going for the Polar F6. I have a gift card to the Sports Authority but it doesn't look like it comes with the chest band, but you have to buy that separately for $50?? Am I missing something? http://www.sportsauthority.com/prod...p=1179624&sr=1&origkw=polar&parentPage=family
I'm going for the Polar F6. I have a gift card to the Sports Authority but it doesn't look like it comes with the chest band, but you have to buy that separately for $50?? Am I missing something? http://www.sportsauthority.com/prod...p=1179624&sr=1&origkw=polar&parentPage=family
upnorthchick
Cathlete
Thanks for all your advice, ladies!! I really appreciate it
I'm going for the Polar F6. I have a gift card to the Sports Authority but it doesn't look like it comes with the chest band, but you have to buy that separately for $50?? Am I missing something? http://www.sportsauthority.com/prod...p=1179624&sr=1&origkw=polar&parentPage=family
I'm so excited for your new purchase!! I like the pink!!
The chest strap (aka transmitter) should come with the watch. If you click on the box with "Features" (in the same box with Product Info) and scroll all the way down the list, you will see that it comes with a Polar T31 Coded Transmitter.
HTH!!
cab128
Cathlete
I use my Polar F11 every day. It motivates me to work harder and longer during my workouts.
Another good place to shop for HRM's is http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com
They have good prices, free shipping and always have discount codes. The current code is dec2009 (20% off).
Another good place to shop for HRM's is http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com
They have good prices, free shipping and always have discount codes. The current code is dec2009 (20% off).
dr.mel_PT
Cathlete
I'm so excited for your new purchase!! I like the pink!!
The chest strap (aka transmitter) should come with the watch. If you click on the box with "Features" (in the same box with Product Info) and scroll all the way down the list, you will see that it comes with a Polar T31 Coded Transmitter.
HTH!!
Duh I totally missed the features tab!! Thanks Lisa!!!!
kathy123
Member
Cab128: Thanks! I just used your link and promo code and ordered Polar F6. Total cost was $76.45! Free shipping, and no tax!
Thanks again,
Kathy