Heart Rate Watch, Anyone Use it?

toddmclain02 · 07-31-2007, 09:19 AM

I'm looking into possibly buying a heart rate watch but its about 120 dollars. Are these worth it? Anyone use one and there opinion on the watch. Thanks...

monb00 · 07-31-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddmclain02

I'm looking into possibly buying a heart rate watch but its about 120 dollars. Are these worth it? Anyone use one and there opinion on the watch. Thanks...

I bought the Bodylink system from timex which includes a HRM I dont really monitor my HR to see what zone Im in but I use it as a tool to ensure Im working hard enough I also use it when Im racing along with the speed and distance system so that I can later monitor my performance

X222Z4 · 07-31-2007, 09:38 AM

I bought one and it is terrible. you have to stop your exercise and put your thumb on this little sensor on the watch and wait for a minute. i didnt like doing that so don't use it anymore.

navyfotbal · 07-31-2007, 09:57 AM

some of the more expensive ones work pretty well, its just that for some reason many of them double your heart rate-so if it said 300 hr and you were still alive and breathing you would know it meant 150-some of them also need the sensor to be moist so licking your finger every few minutes to make sure it isn't dry can be a pain...

Hotmoltenlava · 07-31-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X222Z4

I bought one and it is terrible. you have to stop your exercise and put your thumb on this little sensor on the watch and wait for a minute. i didnt like doing that so don't use it anymore.

I have the same kind. When I first bought it, I hated it. I wanted to just be able to look down and see the heart rate. Once I started using it a while, I got used to it. You definitely don't have to stop exercising. Simply raise the hand with the watch, put your thumb and index on the two sensors for a few seconds. Then you can look down and see your heart rate. Little awkward at first, but doesn't require much coordination. I have had mine for over a year and love it. I use it every time I work out. I keep track of how hard I am pushing myself, when I need to speed up and when I need to slow down. I wouldn't want to work out without it now. It is the only real way to know how your body is reacting to what you are doing. To OP, it would definitely be a good investment. I wouldn't want one with the strap around my chest. The one I bought is made by Reebok and was about $50 at the time, bought off the internet.

Have a good one.

Feny · 07-31-2007, 10:06 AM

i have a polar f6 and i actually really really like it... it monitiors hr and calories burned, and has a pretty cool log that you can look at and measure time in the gym etc...

i bought mine for 109, and imo its pretty necessary if your trying to cut... especially if i ever did a morning fasted walk... dont want your hr too high...

if i had to buy it again, i would do it... but if you don't care that much about that kinda thing, then dont buy it... i motivates me in the gym tho...

Edit: note that the Polar F6 has a strap that goes around your chest.... and a watch to monitor progress

AND... it will send your hr to cardio machines so you don't have to hold on to the grips!!!!

toddmclain02 · 07-31-2007, 10:21 AM

I was just reading reviews about the F6. Where do I learn about what my heart rate should be for a morning jog on a fasted stomach? Thanks for the opinions fellas...

Hotmoltenlava · 07-31-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddmclain02

I was just reading reviews about the F6. Where do I learn about what my heart rate should be for a morning jog on a fasted stomach? Thanks for the opinions fellas...

Completely depends on the speed you are running. At 6mph (10 min mile, which is a medium jog) on the treadmill, I am at about 145-50 hb\s for the first few miles. Miles 3 to 5, I am around 160 hb\s. After 5 miles, I get into the 170 range. I don't hit 180 until about mile 10. If you haven't run much, it may be higher for you. Resting, I have a pulse of 110 over 70, which I am told is excellent. A heart rate monitor is an excellent way to improve cardio. You'll understand your body much better.

Have a good one.

Feny · 07-31-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddmclain02

I was just reading reviews about the F6. Where do I learn about what my heart rate should be for a morning jog on a fasted stomach? Thanks for the opinions fellas...

on a fasted stomach, i DO NOT exceed 130 bpm... and for no longer than 25 minutes... anything more will lead to too much muscle catabolism...
so to do this it may require a jog to get things goin, and then switch between walk and jog to pick things back up...

any more questions?

EazyE15 · 07-31-2007, 11:19 AM

I have a Timex one. Its awesome except the calorie feature which imo is wrong. It has FM transmission so its more accurate. My old one would just stop working half way through a workout, and it overestimated my HR so i would be at 170bpm while walking at 4.5mph.
The Timex is great though, i do my cardio between 145-180 depending on what im using.

Sirtitan · 07-31-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddmclain02

I'm looking into possibly buying a heart rate watch but its about 120 dollars. Are these worth it? Anyone use one and there opinion on the watch. Thanks...

I use the Nike Triax C8. It cost me just under $100 on ebay. It works quite well. Like someone mentioned earlier, you need to moisten the chest sensor before use and it will function properly.