Heart Rate Monitors?

[surgtech1956]

Do you use a heart rate monitor? Are they necessary? Whats a good entry level heart rate monitor to start off with?

[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)

[surgtech1956]

Thanks Pink, I'm going to check out the F4, I too am a lover of gadgets(+electronics)..

[TrekTheKaty]

Love my HR monitor. They are necessary to get an idea if you are exercising too hard or not hard enough. (When running, my HR was always too high--cycling too low. I have to do hill workouts on my bike to get it up). After a few weeks, you will be able to tell your exertion without it. I still use it to see if I can pick up speed with a lower heart rate. I have a Garmin Forerunner with GPS and heart rate monitor.

[pinkbikes]

Love my HR monitor. They are necessary to get an idea if you are exercising too hard or not hard enough. (When running, my HR was always too high--cycling too low. I have to do hill workouts on my bike to get it up). After a few weeks, you will be able to tell your exertion without it. I still use it to see if I can pick up speed with a lower heart rate. I have a Garmin Forerunner with GPS and heart rate monitor.

It's funny how you do get to a point quite quickly where you can tell your exertion without it. I used to have the alarms on for the top and bottom of range to give me a prod to either slow down or speed up. After a month or two I turned them off because I could tell and I had gotten into the habit of exercising at the right intensity!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the Polar F6 because I needed a new watch and DH was convinced I didn't ride as hard as I felt so why not get a HRM? Still I haven't really figured it all out but I do know I ride in the right zone for weight loss but am anerobic when running. Yet I never lost weight cycling and did lose a boatload running. Like I said, still trying to "listen to my heart" but Polar seems like a good brand without dropping a ton of money.