Heart Rate Monitors

[equus123]

i have a Nike Imara, $99. does all the simple things i need to see.

-current HR (bpm or % max)
-timer
-data (after you stop the timer. shows time, calories burned, avg HR)

if you're looking for general fitness (vs. training for racing) then a general max HR could be used. since you probably won't need to have HR specific intervals that dance the line between aerobic and anaerobic that you would need to know exactly then you can calculate your max (220 - <AGE>) and use those zones. if you're trying to lose weight you'll probably be very familiar with zone 2.

[VeloVT]

I have the Timex Bodylink system and the Nike Imara. I received the Imara as a (very thoughtful) gift; while it's better looking than pretty much any other hrm on the market, I really don't understand how Nike thinks it can get by with charging $99 for something without a stopwatch -- oh, it has a "timer", but not a stopwatch, so you can't take splits, you can only start and stop. Since I use it primarily for running, this is a fatal flaw for me.

The Bodylink system is pricey because it includes a GPS unit (which is officially THE greatest training toy ever), but Timex makes basic hrms for around $80. The chest strap is more comfortable than the Nike chest strap in my opinion. I've always had good luck with Timex sports watches, they're super easy to use/program and a good value.

All of this said, I'm having trouble finding motivation to actually use my hrm, since the few times I have used it my PRE is radically misaligned with my hrm &#37;s. I recently did a 12-mile run averaging just under 8:00/mile. I ran the second half faster than the first, so while I was definitely putting in a good effort, I must have been under my lactate threshhold (I would say my PRE was around a 6-7) -- according to the hrm, I was at 90% of max for pretty much the whole run -- from everything I've read about hr zones, you're just not supposed to be able to sustain that level of exertion for that long, and it's supposed to REALLY HURT, not just be moderately hard work. My hr max on my hrm is set at 216, (not sure if this is right but it's the highest I was able to attain during a hill-sprint session), so I don't think the problem is that I have my max set too low... So hrms/the whole hr zone thing are a bit of an enigma to me right now.

Sorry for the digression. Didn't mean to hijack. If you aren't interested in downloading data, basic Timex hrms are great imo. The Timexes that can download are expensive, and I've read that the Timex PC software leaves a lot to be desired. Everyone seems to love Polar software, so if data is important to you that might be a better option.

Good luck!!!