Should I get a heart rate monitor?

[Winter]

Hi Ladies,

I have been contemplating getting a heart rate monitor but then I really don't know why I would get one. I would like to know how many calories I have burned during a work out. I try to follow weight watchers points system and I am not sure if I need a heart rate monitor to help track exercise points.

What do you use your heart rate monitor for and what type do you have?

Thanks,
Winter

 

[Dutchie42]

I have two, one for home w/o's and one for running. I use an HRM to keep track of the time I've worked out and in which zone, the calories I've burned and when running I also like to check on the distance I've been running, the average pace and whether I managed to increase pace in the last 1 or 2K. I just love the numbers

But you should really know if you want to use one before buying one cause it would be a shame if it ends up in a drawer.

Dutchie

 

[tina72382]

Hi, Winter I have a polar A-3 hrm. I love it because I can easily keep tabs on my heart rate throughout my workout - for instance, if I want to build endurance, and try to stay in my aerobic zone, and the hrm helps me do this. mine does not have a calories burned calculator- but i heard those are not super accurate because they do not take into account body fat, etc. Only your age. Thats all I know, I hope it was helpful! -Tina

 

[lorajc]

I have a Mio Shape and love it (no chest strap needed). I use mine to make sure I keep my heartrate as high as I want it and to see my total calories burned per workout. The Mio Shape HRM tracks calories burned thru your entire workout....warm up, cool down and stretch...not just in your "training" zone.

 

[Mckmain]

Hi Winter...I started with a HRM about 12 years ago mainly for running. I quickly became addicted and satrted using it in my other workouts. I liked knowing where my heart was.......for running also I incorporated some speedwork sessions that went by your Heart Rate. Now I rarely workout without one and recently bought a Timex HRM that also has a GPS tracking system so I know how far I have run. If you want more info check out these sites www.polarusa.com and www.heartratemonitorsusa.com for good deals...http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/5.gif[/img] ...Carole

 

[truton]

I can give you a few reasons to get a HRM. I have had my Polar A5 HRM for about a year now and use it virtually every time I work out. I can't imagine life without it now. It's useful for not only for the calories burned but to check my intensity level while I'm working out. If I see my heartrate slip down too low I can kick it up a notch. It keeps me honest!

Secondly, I'm a Lifetime WW'er and found that the WW AP calculator in my case was way overestimating my effort. For example the AP calculator gives me 6 points for one hour of high intensity aerobics, where my HRM is only registering the equivalent of 3 APs. Big big difference!

After purchasing my HRM, I switched to Cathe from The Firm because I found that most of The Firm's cardio barely got me in my target range for more than a few minutes. I have a fairly low resting heart rate (between 40-50) which I think makes it difficult for me to get up into the zone and stay there. Cathe's intensity is just what I need to do that. I have since sold off or traded almost all my Firm and other videos that weren't up to snuff.

Gee I love spending someone else's money rather than my own for a change LOL!