Heart rate monitor

[SuzieQ]

I've been lurking at this site for a couple of months and thought I would see what kind of advise I could get on buying a new heart rate monitor. I'm thinking about the Polar A3. I don't need anything with alot of bells and whistles. I would like something that would let me know when I'm below or above my range. Also, I need something with a large display so I can see it without my reading glasses.

What do you ladies think?

[newfsmith]

I have a Polar HRM that gives alarms for out of range rates that are determined by your personal data. I've found it very tedious to program and my gloves tended to de-program it. Further more, once it lost it's program it wouldn't display your HR or average HR. This made it of limited utility. My advice is to stick to the most basic model that just gives you your heart rate, and maybe your ave HR and does it consistently. You can calculate your range yourself, then just mount the monitor where you can see it and ride accordingly. Alternatively, talk to yourself while you ride, or sing. When you start to be unable to talk smoothly you are moving out of your aerobic range; based on your actual condition, not your theoretical condition.

[ayermail2]

newfsmith - thanks for the tip on talking / singing...I will try that!

(not interested in a HRM....I tend to focus too much as it is on the electronic gadget I already have...with just the speed/distance computer...)

[momatibm]

Both my husband and I have A3's -- we are pleased with both of them -- easy to use -- hope this helps.

[Dogmama]

I also have a Polar and like it. My only complaint is that sometimes it gives me wild readings - usually in the beginning when maybe I'm not sweating enough to make good contact...? It is also sensitive to high utility wires and other peoples' monitors - tends to make it wacky.

That may just be a problem with HRM's in general. Anybody else have this experience?

Kim

[ayermail2]

just had to chuckle -- saw your slogan on a bumper sticker the other day and thought of you!!

[momatibm]

Just a little note -- the directions for our heart monitors told us to wet the chest piece prior to use. Maybe that is the reason for your strange readings.

[IronHorse213]

I recenty bought a Polar A5 and found it easy to program and use.

It provides feedback on HR, Calories used, HR-out of range, minutes in zone, minutes working out and BMI.

The workout summary at the end was really helpful and I expect the self-test feature will be too as I test occassionally to see how my fitness is improving.

The receiver/watch is comfortable and looks nice (I'm a woman and hate big clunky watches). I'd recommend this model and Polar in general to anyone.

bye!

[Irulan]

Originally posted by momatibm
Just a little note -- the directions for our heart monitors told us to wet the chest piece prior to use. Maybe that is the reason for your strange readings.

my instructions say to use saliva and not water... something about the chemical content....
Irulan

[Dogmama]

I do use saliva - but I think it dries up too fast. Everything dries fast in Arizona! When I have a good sweat worked up it seems to be OK, unless I'm in spinning class and it starts to talk to the heart rate monitor next to me...."hey baby, whaddya doing after class?..."

[Terry]

Oh too funny!

I use water from the tap and never have a problem with my monitor. (I live in Phoenix, so I too know all about the dry air/dehydration). I've never heard of using "spit" for good chemisty/monitor reading. Umm...have to try it in spin today; out here, we're in the middle of our winter rains and the rock shifts on the trail here can be trecherous (hence, spinning on a weekend). I'll have to wait to try spit in our desert air. I would agree that spit would dry out fast in the desert; faster than you can spit!
Terry

[Irulan]

my instructions just said to use saliva to get the contact going *until* you started to sweat. Specifically said do not use water. I'll get the book out later and qutoe it.

Irulan

[Veronica]

Mine just says to moisten it (Polar S610) I usually use warm water and have had no trouble with pick up in the year and a half I have been using it.


Veronica

[Irulan]

not trying to prove anything right or wrong here.... I was just following directions in my manual:

" to ensure a proper heart rate display, the chest transmitter must be moistened and properly adjusted. Wet the back of the ruber pads with saliva or ECG conductive gel. Do not use water, moisturizing cream or sun tan oils as these are insulators that will interfere with the heart rate signal"

" in dry and cold climates it may take a few minutes of use for the electrodes to soften and a layer of perspiration to form between the contact and the skin for good performance. Moistening with saliva of ECG gel can speed up the process."

[Terry]

Oh! I didn't mean to imply that using salvia was right or wrong;
just never heard of it...

I reread the directions on my monitor (I recently purchased a Timex Ironman Tirathlon) and all it said was "moisture MUST be applied to pads". I looked all through the book and there was no mention of saliva as a base. Go figure.

I "fought" too much with the Polar...I never really got the hang of it. The Timex was mentioned in one of the cycling catalogues so I thought I'd give it a try; so far, so good. I like it and can recommend it. I would like to mention, however, that it is a larger piece than the Polar and, for some, may feel clunky.
Terry