Quote Originally Posted by bluebug32 View Post
Not familiar with the Polar HRMs. I use a Garmin Edge 350 which has lots of bells and whistles. I mainly like it for it's ability to measure grade and how much climbing I do. I don't display percent of max HR, as I usually just glance at the actual number and can tell generally how hard I'm working and in what range I'm in. It makes it easier if you know your lactate threshhold. Then you can see if you're training above or below it. I'm not religious about HR zones because they are only a jumping off point (ie:can misread on really hot day, nerves, etc.).
I use the Edge for the HR zones. Plug in the zones based on LT testing, and then you can see right where you are. It has really allowed me to push myself harder than I otherwise might have through either (1) perceived exertion or (2) looking at the HR and trying to remember exactly what the zones are. I can just look down and see I am in zone 3.5, 4.1, etc.