Heart Rate Monitor

**Cheekychops** · 28-11-2007 13:35

Does anyone have one.... does it work.... is it worth getting one?

**nickalex** · 28-11-2007 16:12

I don't have one, I kinda want one but it's a pretty big expense with what I already spend on trying to lose weight.
I'm calorie counting and really the monitor would be a godsend as it would tell me exactly how many calories I am burning. It's all guesstimates at the moment and even though I under estimate it's still really not good enough, the variables between individuals are huge even at the same weight.
As far as I know the polar ones are excellent and very accurate, I haven't really researched any others. The polar are great for fitness tracking as well as weightloss. Maybe a good christmas present

**Lastcenturymum** · 28-11-2007 16:17

Depends what you want one for. My hubby has one and I use it for some specific training on a stationary bike. The Polar ones are the best and you can download your data to a computer and track stuff - like everything - they are expensive though, so maybe check on some fitness chatsites about them and decide why you want one and what benefit you would get from it. The really exxy ones have a footpod so you can track your distance and stuff as you run, but it takes a lot to set them up accurately

We tend to use it to train in certain zones like 70% max heart rate or slower sessions to keep it at a certain spot

Nikalex - knowing how many calories you are burning is ok, but remember its a case of calories in vs calories expended and you dont have to have a HRM to know that - as long as you do a good 30 mins cardio a day you are burning calaories - check out caloriesperhour website and you can work it out easily enough

**babylover111** · 01-12-2007 21:10

I've got the polar one and it's fantastic, it's great to be told the exact amount of calories burnt according to your heart rate. It took a lot of guts to spend that much money on it but I've definitely used it enough to make it worth it.

About the 30 minute walk, it's much more accurate to have a heart rate monitor because when I put my weight in on the treadmill it says I burn about 200 calories but in reality my fitness level is higher than average and I only burn around 110.

**nickalex** · 02-12-2007 04:41

See that's what I worry about babylover. Just the fact that your body adapts to exercise and you do become fitter. So someone who doesn't exercise but weighs the same as me would have to expend more energy if they tried to do the things that I do IYKWIM. Mind you my body composition these days would also be alot different to someone at the same weight who doesn't exercise. So I guess I live in hope that my increased muscle tissue means that I am still burning more over all.
I know with calorie counting which is my main form of "diet" it is pretty important to have a pretty exact idea of calories burnt especially if you intend on eating them back. I am seriously considering the monitor over purchasing another 10 pack of pts. Which model have you got Babylover.

**shanz** · 02-12-2007 06:18

i have a basic polar one, got it on sale from sportsmens warehouse. it is great. it was $90 originally.
It doesnt have all the bells and whistles, but it does what i want it for.
I am very happy with it.

**babylover111** · 02-12-2007 06:43

Originally Posted by nickalex

See that's what I worry about babylover. Just the fact that your body adapts to exercise and you do become fitter. So someone who doesn't exercise but weighs the same as me would have to expend more energy if they tried to do the things that I do IYKWIM. Mind you my body composition these days would also be alot different to someone at the same weight who doesn't exercise. So I guess I live in hope that my increased muscle tissue means that I am still burning more over all.
I know with calorie counting which is my main form of "diet" it is pretty important to have a pretty exact idea of calories burnt especially if you intend on eating them back. I am seriously considering the monitor over purchasing another 10 pack of pts. Which model have you got Babylover.

That's exactly right! And if you've built up muscle mass you also have a higher metabolism which comes into play overall as well and probably evens it out. It's also really good knowing if you're hitting your max and comparing which type of cardio gets your heart beating more because even though some seem harder it's not always burning more.

That's a tough decision if you should choose the PT or the monitor, motivation from PT is priceless and it's nice having someone focus soley on you but then again the monitor is for life and I'm pretty sure it has a lifelong guarantee. I decided that if I'm going to spend money on it I might as well get the best one so I ended up spending $350 on the top pink one

it worked out well though because my sister started using it too and now she's paying me half because she realises how much of an expense it is!

Is there any chance a couple of people could put money together and get it for christmas for you?

I forgot to add that it records my calories burnt thoroughout the week and gives me a summary and I can put it up on my computer too, it's worth having a look on ebay as well they have quite a few on there and you might get lucky!

**nickalex** · 02-12-2007 15:10

Babylover the pt package costs $300 for 10 visits or $35 for a single visit. If I was to buy the heart rate monitor I would still be able to fund a pt at least once a fortnight, I just wouldn't be able to buy them at the cheaper rate. Always easier to find a smaller amount then the big whack.Will have to start checking out ebay, also can't really afford it till the new year so may get a good deal in the stocktake sales when I also replace my runners.

**little bean** · 02-12-2007 18:06

I have one but I don't use it much. To be honest, I think it's all about getting out there and exercising, combined with sensible eating.

I have started going for a walk up and down hills with my pram for an hour or two a day. Gotta do some good!

**nickalex** · 02-12-2007 18:16

Little bean it is true that doing something is better than nothing and every bit counts. If I was new to exercise I probably wouldn't get the use out of it. However I go to the gym 6 days a week and work really hard. A heart rate monitor would be an invaluable motivating tool for when workouts become stale. I just think you reach acertain level and you need new goals to strive for especially if your main motivation for exercise is weightloss. Once you lose the weight you need to aim for somethiung different and those things are harder to quantify without tools IMO.