Heart Rate Monitors

Hi Im wondering if anyone out there has researched/looked into the best but cheapest. Ive looked and Im not spending over 25 ish does that sound right? Can I find one that has a stop watch and heart rate monitor in one and isnt too much? Just the basics? Let me know please, thanks!

I am not sure what is the best or the cheapest, but if you are going to spend money on a HRM make sure you get one with a chest strap otherwise it won't be accurate. I have the Polar F6, but the Polar F4 comes highly recommended as well.

I've never seen a decent HRM for under $25. I highly recommend the Polar brand. I went with one of the top end, F11, but F6 is very popular and F4.

I just posted this on another thread yesterday....

I've been using a Sigma PC-15 (approx £30) for the past 3 months which gives you readings in terms of time spent in different heartrate % zones and beeps when you move out of them, it's great for tailoring your workout ie...HIIT or just sustained cardio and also gives you a total for the number of calories burned off. 

It comes with a chest strap which is quite comfy under a sports bra and also displays readouts on most gym machines automatically too, but can affect the ones next to it so make sure you have an empty one either side of you or other people get puzzled!

However sometimes when the contact of the strap against the chest is lost (usually when sretching) it doesn't give a signal or readout but will pick up where it left off when it the contact is made again.

I got a bit fed up of having to continually look at it to see if it was working and recently splashed out on a Vivago Personal Wellness Manager (£100 on offer!) as it takes sensor readings directly from the wrist and does not have a chest strap/transmitter belt.  However, I am using it for the first time today so will have to see how I get on with it!