Heart rate monitors - totally lost

[Offthegrid]

My new trainer asked me if I had a heart rate monitor, and I don't. I'm thinking this would be a good Christmas gift to myself.

But, I don't understand them at ALL! I don't understand if the watch comes with the strap; I look at the pictures and don't understand how the strap works; I don't understand how on earth the strap would fit me now and if I do buy it then it would be too small later. And I don't understand where the heck a big gal puts the strap with regards to bra. (I wear Enell, and it's a well ... big bra.) *sigh*

And because I want to do tris, are there kinds you can wear in the water? Are there units that aren't too bulky that measure running distance?

[han-grrl]

Heart rate monitors come with a watch and a chest strap. there are some models that are just the watch and you put your thumb on it and it measures your pulse that way. the chest strap ones are better for continuous measurement, but some people find the chest straps uncomfortable.

the basic HR monitors will ONLY show HR in the display and not time. then there are some that have all sorts of features including down loading info to PC's. the more features the HRM has, the more $$. (and the more bulky the watch part)

the strap goes under the boobs along the heart line.

i don't know about swimming with them, someone else will have to answer that one...

hope that helps!

hannah

[Bikingmomof3]

The HR monitor should have an adjustable strap. I know mine is very adjustable. Many come in different sizes. I put mine on and the put my exercise bra over my strap. HTH

[Deborajen]

They also come in wireless or non-wireless (ie., wire between the watch and the chest strap). The ones with a wire are supposed to be more accurate. The wireless ones are kind of handy, though, because the chest strap signal can be picked up not only by your watch but also by gym equipment, an HRM on a cyclometer, etc. (Of course, if other people around you are wearing wireless monitors, you can end up picking up each other's signals.--)

The chest strap is an elastic band that you can feed back and forth for a single or double thickness/length, so you won't have any trouble with fit.

Mine is said to be waterproof and can be worn swimming, but I can't say for sure because I've never tried it in the water.

Most of the models that measure distance have a fairly bulky display, as far as I know. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about the Garmins. From what I've heard, the distance function works pretty well in the country but not as well in the city where there is more interference.--

Deb

[Grog]

I have a Polar F4 and it is waterproof to about 10 meters I think. I've swam with it a lot with no issues. I don't like wearing the strap with a swimsuit though, but I did with the sports top during my first (and only so far) tri. (I wouldn't wear it for racing again though.) It fits well under the sports bras, but I have very little boobage. I know some better-endowed users have experienced chafing but that can probably be solved easily.

Some models are 'coded' so you don't 'catch' other people's heart rates or other interferences. As someone said, the more features, the more dollars. I like mine to stay simple: it takes HR, time, records max and average, can deal with zones although I don't use that feature much. Enough for me. As for measuring distance when running, I used RouteScout or gmap-pedometer...

[Bad JuJu]

I have two Polars: one that I've had for ages with the usual wrist watch and a pretty basic display; and another one that I recently got with a display that mounts on my handlebars for cycling--the CS200. Both of them work pretty much as advertised, though the CS200 was a pain to set up. But once the setup was done, it's been working great.

The CS200 works as a bike computer as well as a heart rate monitor, which is why I chose it. I needed a new computer, so I thought it was best to combine the functions, though that might not appeal to everyone. I don't wear the chest strap all the time, like when I'm doing Saturday club rides--then, I'm just doing whatever I have to to keep up. But when I'm riding alone, the HRM keeps me focused--otherwise, I tend to just twiddle along, la-de-da, smell the roses, etc.

Those straps are eminently adjustable--they're meant to fit a very wide range of people, so you shouldn't have an issue with it fitting now but not later.

[luv'nAustin]

I also use a Polar watch and often wear it when I swim. The chest strap is no bother in the water, in fact, I often wear a jog bra under my suit too so that I can get out of the water, throw on my shoes, and start my run right from the pool. When the water is cold the bra helps to keep me warmer!

The strap is adjustable and fits me as well as my husband and he outweights me by at least 50 pounds.

The cardio equipment at my exercise club does pick up my heart rate from my strap and displays it for me on the machine. I like the fact that I can so easily keep my eye on the number without any worry of sweaty hands or wear I grasp the handle. It keeps me motivated and makes it easy to vary the intensity of my workouts...helps to keep me from getting bored.

I also use the Polar watch made for biking and I leave that one mounted on the handlebars and only remove it to change batteries. However, I must admit that I'm an information junkie and at Christmas my husband bought me a garmin for my bike too. That one shows more information, but I've been having some trouble with the unit holding a battery charge and I find that I still depend on my trusty Polar.

I would recommend that you try to stick with the same system both for running and biking as the strap from my polar will not work with the garmin and who wants to wear two straps, especially when racing.

[7rider]

I have a Polar that is 6 y.o. and works great, although the chest strap is getting stretched out and loosing elasticity. It fits under a sports bra and, as many have noted, is very adjustable. I find the chest strap from my Garmin 305, however, to be slightly more comfortable and more reliable (but that could be because my Polar strap is stretched out and not contacting well).
When I was swimming, I used my Polar all the time. The only thing they recommend is that you don't hit the buttons on the watch unit while you are in/under water. So, I'd start the file before I started swimming and would be standing in the shallow end when I ended the file. No problems.

[Offthegrid]

Could someone recommend a basic model for me? One that that measures current heart rate, max and min. and calories burned without the bells and whistles? I'm looking at this polar Web site, and I just feel completely overwhelmed. I think I can go without the distance measurement -- if I know I do about 4 mph, then I already know how far I've walked.

Cost isn't so much a factor for me than ease of use.

[Tri Girl]

Here's my opinion for what it's worth:
My DH has a basic Polar, but I like my Nike Women's Imara HR monitor/watch better. I really like it because I also wear it as my everyday watch. It's stylish and has lots of functions (chronograph, calories burned- which is based off of numbers about your age and weight that you put in-, interval timer, avg. HR, % HR, and alarm function). When I workout, I just put on the HR strap and hit the button and change my watch from time to chronograph. It cost $90, and for me that was great. Because I wear it all day, everyday, it's more than paid for itself. I wear it in the water and it does fine!

[Offthegrid]

Hmm ... I'm leery of getting a woman's HRM because I'm scared it wouldn't fit.

[melissam]

Could someone recommend a basic model for me? One that that measures current heart rate, max and min. and calories burned without the bells and whistles? I'm looking at this polar Web site, and I just feel completely overwhelmed. I think I can go without the distance measurement -- if I know I do about 4 mph, then I already know how far I've walked.

Cost isn't so much a factor for me than ease of use.

I have a Polar F4 that almost fits the bill. I can't remember if it does minimum heart rate, but it does give you current heart rate, max, average, and calories burned.

-- Melissa

[Bikingmomof3]

Ditto on the Polar F4. I wear/wore mine in the water. I am certain I would like others just as well, if not better, but this is the one that fit my budget.

If you are worried about the size, check out Polar's site.
http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/POLAR/F4.html

The chest strap comes in several sizes.
x-small 18-27 inches
small 23-47 inches
medium 25-54 inches
large 27-63 inches
Note: Measure just below the pectorial muscles or breasts