Advice? Need Heart Rate Monitor--My Nutritionist Recommended it--Which One Is Best???

I lose VERY slow- and a Nutritionist/Dietitian/RN recommended I use a hrm to help me add efficient cardio...

My daughters may help me with it for a Christmas gift, but I need to know what would be good for me.

I LOVE number crunching! Being able to view my progress on my computer or a web site would be fun, the 'bullets' I've heard a little about, sound very motivating, alarms that remind/or fuss at you sound fun... but I need 'affordable', and not too fancy in that it isn't features I'd not really use???

Definitely the strap type, I think, but a good quality/features? Any opinions you could share with me?

Thanks for any help!

FS1 by polar- gices heart rate and average heart rate for the workout. Also time function so you can wear ir as a watch. Has chest strap. runs about $50

F4 by polar- next step up, same basic functions but includes calories burned based on your user settings. runs about $80-90

Thanks, 9chrissie!

I may add you as a buddy- I've been enjoying reading your advice in other threads! I appreciate your time answering mine.

I've got a mio, same functions, but I think the low end one starts around $30

im partial to polar. ive used polar hrm's for years and been happy. i started with the polar fs1 but moved up quickly because the recording options were too limited and it picked up alot of distortion on the road from traffic lights etc. i needed something that recorded high and low for three different zones and has cycling features with decent sheilding. another consideration is the crosstalk and distortion from other electronic devices and hrm's. generally the more you spend the less distortion. this is important especially for group workouts. you should check out polars site and then google reviews on the individual model numbers.

 

 

* bump *

Happy to help! Blaisjp makes a good point about the interference you may pick up from other hrm's. This is a problem sometimes in crowded gyms. You can get around this problem by buying a "coded" monitor. I believe the polar F6 would be their cheapest coded model. (same basic functions as F4 plus the coded plus I think an uplink to computer.) Most people that I train get the FS1 or F4, higher end models will actually program workouts for you...but so will www.polarpersonaltrainer.com for free! 

I have the polar f6 and would not work out without it! Well worth the $100 it costs!!

I have a polarF11 and have used it for years.  I also use it with the polar persona fitness website.  The F11 also offers a fitness test that recalculates your fitness level and calorie burns based on besides the usually age, weight height sex etc but the results of your VO2 level.  It also has "pograms" or routines to shoot for it tells how long you should work out in a zone based on your goals.  It was about $150.

Also don't bother with a hrm that doesn't do the constant monitoring - so you need the chest strap - the ones where you put your fingers on the watch only record your current heart rate at that moment and can't calculate accurately a calorie burn.

 

Thanks! I've wondered about the VO2 level...

I don't want any 'guess-work' or 'estimation', for I'm apparently lower in calorie burning than regular figuring would expect-- which is why I was speaking to a Nutritionist and being told to get a hrm, lol!

I agree with Marianne, I have an mio shape watch with the finger hrm.  I can't get a reading when I'm running in the cold plus than i have to take my gloves off.  there have been times I've had to stop moving to get a reading.  The accuracy isn't that good either.  I have a chest strap on my elliptical and the 2 have been off by almost 150 calories over a 60 min. workout, I plan on investing in a chest strap hrm too once I start doing more outdoor running.

Thanks!

I'd felt the finger idea could be awkward- probably due to my inaccurate treadmill sensor; you have to touch it while walking on the mill, and it gives wild, constantly changing readings. My fingers are not accurate with some stuff, apparently!!!

Hi!  See these recent posts for info:

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/7006 3.html

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/7021 2.html

Thanks!

I'd missed one!