Heart Monitor

[Miranda]

"No", you do not need a HRM to train, BUT, they are wonderful tools if you can work out the $. A couple $ saving ideas for you besides what is already mentioned...

You could post a "wanted" ad here on TE for one; as people seem to upgrade all the time--that might give you a good basic mid-range HRM at a much lower price. If you belong to a gym, maybe there is a place you could post this same type of ad? I'm a certified Spinning intructor at my gym and a fellow instructor is a Polar HRM dealer. I think she gives discount sometimes to those she knows etc.

I personally use a couple things. I own a pink version of the Polar F6 (about $100). Besides the HR, looking at the total calories burned is very motivating for me.

Now that I own a Garmin bici pc I use that system outside. I started with the solid chest strap that came with my unit. Then recently upgraded to a soft chest strap version. This way all my stats, including HR, are intergraded with my ride stats in Garmin.

Besides calories burned (which used to boil down to DQ blizzards for me lol), I found when I officially started training for something, the HR figure became much more important. I've learned even more about the diff HR zones and how to work them with endurance training, i.e. ramping up my miles.

I still do compare with my perceived exertion signs, and a manual HR check of my finger-tips at body pulse. Always good to double check technology once in a while imo.

Lastly, what's been said about them being accurate--there is some truth to that. Most HRM are set with stock numbers on the calculation of 220 - your age = max HR... then % effort x this #.

This basic math calculation is a "guide". If you are beginner exerciser with a lot of # to lose etc., your max might be lower that average, read: less fit. If you are a seasoned athlete... then your max # will more than likely be higher... as you are "fitter than average". Which, btw, there is a way to manually re-set those numbers in the monitor to YOU accordingly--& over time as you progress.

Hope that helps some!