Anyone use a heart rate monitor?

[frettish]

The "grip" monitors on the treadmills/ellipipticals are a joke. Taking it manually is a pain in the ass.

Looking for something cheap and effective.

I'd rather not have to tie something around my chest if I don't have to. (I would think that the back of a watch or the watch band could have the sensor on itself, as the wrist is a fairly sensitive place to pick up a heart rate, no? But all the HR monitors I am checking out come with the wireless chest strap!)

Any suggestions?

[Q mystic]

Originally Posted by frettish

The "grip" monitors on the treadmills/ellipipticals are a joke. Taking it manually is a pain in the ass.

Looking for something cheap and effective.

I'd rather not have to tie something around my chest if I don't have to. (I would think that the back of a watch or the watch band could have the sensor on itself, as the wrist is a fairly sensitive place to pick up a heart rate, no? But all the HR monitors I am checking out come with the wireless chest strap!)

Any suggestions?

The chest strap is the one I have but they now have wrist watches where you place your fore/middle fingers on it(face) and it will tell your hr. My girlfriend has one and it is nice to use.

[Kozak Sambo]

Yes, I think Ironman watches have a heart rate monito feature.

[Revok]

Chest straps aren't that bad, you don't even notice it after wearing it a little while and it doesn't restrict your breathing or anything.

Personally I wouldn't spend an arm and a leg on a monitor. In time you get to be able to fairly accurately guage your heart rate based on perceived effort. It is a very useful tool for cardio, but is only necessary for a brief time IMO.

[frettish]

Originally Posted by Q mystic

The chest strap is the one I have but they now have wrist watches where you place your fore/middle fingers on it(face) and it will tell your hr. My girlfriend has one and it is nice to use.

You should use yours and your girl's at the same time and see if they give you the exact same BPM.

Also, anyone see the "new" monitors that have GPS? It tracks your speed, distance, etc all from GPS and you can plug it in to your computer and it gives lays out your entire workout with graphs and all. An extravagance, for sure, but still cool none the less.

[Q mystic]

Originally Posted by frettish

You should use yours and your girl's at the same time and see if they give you the exact same BPM.

Also, anyone see the "new" monitors that have GPS? It tracks your speed, distance, etc all from GPS and you can plug it in to your computer and it gives lays out your entire workout with graphs and all. An extravagance, for sure, but still cool none the less.

I make her wear the strap when having sex sos I know shes not lying. j/k

[frettish]

haha, no, i just meant for accuracy's sake!

[Sub Master88]

I just bout a wrist strap one and I'm going to use it tomarrow.

[james_m_white]

Originally Posted by Q mystic

I make her wear the strap when having sex sos I know shes not lying. j/k

LOL. Awesome.

[SherTiger1]

Old thread, but did anyone ever try one out?

Just curious of the accuracy compared to a chest strap... Also, I'm referring to the HR monitors that strap around your wrist but are primarily monitors, as opposed to a fancy watch with HR function.