Heart Rate Monitors?

[pinkbikes]

I use one whenever I exercise. I got it because it was a gadget (love gadgets) but it made it quite clear to me that I was spending all my time exercising in heart rate zones that weren't helpful. I ran too hard and walked to slowly for my goal at the time, which was weight loss.

I started with a Polar F4, which is basic but has pretty much what I needed. If I could wish for just one more feature it would be a "pause" function. I still use ithe F4 (a pretty red one) whenever I run or swim or walk. But when I ride I have a Garmin Edge 705 GPS and I use its HRM. Now THAT is a gadget.

Mostly I use the HRM to make sure I am spending a decent duration in the right heart range(s) for the type of session I'm doing and to keep track of how many calories I'm burning (that constant fight with my weight). It is also handy to track your progress over time in terms of how your heart rate may reduce for a particular ride, or for measuring how quickly you return to resting heart rate.

FWIW I would not get a HRM that doesn't have a chest strap - I think the ones where you stick your fingers on it now and again are not really worth the effort. (Just my two cents worth)