I’m considering buying a heart rate monitor in celebration of my half way point. I have such a difficult time finding my pulse.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Favorites? Or any to avoid?

Thanks.

What a great idea for a half-way point reward!

I bought a Polar F6 back in December and have really enjoyed using it.  I’m kind of a numbers nerd (and gadget fiend, too!) so I really like having all the stats.

Here is a link to the Polar website: http://www.polarusa.com/

I also found this website that has a side-by-side comparison of all of the Polar models: http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/POLAR/Compare.html

Hope this helps!

Judy

I just got an F6 myself earlier this week and its very nice - I like it a lot.

I have the MIO Shape Heart Rate Monitor Watch.  You can wear it all day as a watch and don’t have to wear a chest strap to get your pulse rate.  $49 on Amazon

Thanks for the recommendation guys!

I also asked my daughter-in-law what kind she has. When we helped them move last summer, she wore it to make sure she didn’t work too hard. She told me she got it free when they joined the gym, and I could have it if I wanted! So next time they visit, they’re going to bring it to me. I don’t know what kind it is, but I know it beeps if you go over your target zone, and the price is right! If it doesn’t work out, I’ll definitely check into the Polar F6 and the MIO. Thanks.

Is that part of the attraction thing Scott keeps talking about? Extend yourself, and the universe supplies.

Bree

I hadn’t thought of that Bree, but yeah, definitely the Law of Attraction at work…

Of course, I, being frugal and cheap (!) knew she had one, and probably after almost a year, she may well be done with it, took my chances, and got lucky! 

Of course, I, being frugal and cheap (!) knew she had one, and probably after almost a year, she may well be done with it, took my chances, and got lucky!

I think ‘Luck’ is just another name given to the ‘Law of Attraction’ mostly by skeptical people (sure good things happen, but that’s just luck and out of my control).  Are you sure you didn’t create your luck by being the person you are (kind, caring, committed to your family, dedicated to improving your health, etc.), taking action by asking about the heart monitor, and being willing to receive.

What Luck!!! I’d definitely go with a free one if possible. I don’t wear mine all the time because I chose to wear a different watch the rest of the time and can’t be bothered with switching back in forth (like switching purses, something I just don’t have time for). I still like the MIO and feel like it was worth it.  There are extra features besides the heart rate monitor that I don’t use, so I’d probably pick a cheaper one if I were to buy one again.

Priscilla, how accurate is your watch? I really want to get one that doesn’t require the chest strap but I want it to count calories and be accurate. I’m picky, and Mother’s Day is coming up and I’m feeling like being spoiled.

Bree

The MIO is quite accurate. Its definitely as accurate as read out on the workout equipment at the gym (the numbers match up) and it was accurate when I took my pulse manually at the same time. I like to wear it when I’m out walking to make sure I push myself hard enough. My main criterion for selection of this watch was no chest strap.  Actually, I got the petite model because my wrist is small, so check out the different options. I ordered it on Amazon because their price was the best.

There are many questions on the forum about pulse watches and there is a lot of pulse watches on the market.

Here is my favorite:
The Polar F11 is the best pulse watch for fitness. It has everything. I measures calorie and fat percentage usage during workout, makes fitness programs out of you own goals (with time needed to decrease weight), tells you when you are not working out correctly by an alarm, motivates you, reminds you when it’s time to work out, measures you’re oxygen usage and gives you a monthly fitness grade, uploads you’re work outs to a web site for personal tracking and analysis of you’re fitness development (not OSX unfortunately). If you put in some more cash you even get the Polar F55, that actually keeps track of you’re strength training and measures you’re body to tell you how much you should rest.

Here is all there is to know about it:
http://www.polarusa.com/
http://www.polarusa.com/products/fseries/f11.asp?cat=consumer

The high end F55:
http://www.polarusa.com/products/fseries/f55.asp?cat=consumer

... and there’s Polar watches specially designed for running, cycling and outdoor sports (that actually meassure speed and altitude). Ok?

I’m planning on buying one too.  I think it would be really handy to have a pedometer/HRM in one.  Anyone know if these even exist?

I’m planning on buying one too.  I think it would be really handy to have a pedometer/HRM in one.  Anyone know if these even exist?

I haven’t heard of a monitor that includes a step counter ..

here’s a pretty good article about feature’s/functions for a heatrate monitor:

http://heartzones.com/_pdf/How_to_Choose_A_HRM_Oct2005SE.pdf

At least if you have to clip on the pedometer and then wear a HR monitor watch, it doesn’t look as geeky as I’ve been in the past!  I had a timex gps system before they came with a HR monitor that would record.  I still wanted to get the data from my long (15 miles - 20 miles) walks, so I’d wear my polar watch on one writst, and the timex gpx receiver on the other ... LOL ... just a bit geeky, but I at least got all the info I needed and walked the correct distance.

Ada