heart rate monitor

Sunidaze

So I'm thinking I should get one.  For some reason, I am feeling compelled to do so.  That said...why?  I have heard people say that using one has actually improved their workouts among other things...but why?  Convince me why I should have one.

cheesecakerunner

I LOVE mine (a Polar f4)! I got it when I started using MFP and it has helped me be more accurate in eating back my exercise calories. Now that I'm pregnant, I also like using it to monitor my heart rate and know when to slow down (I can be kind of stubborn when it comes to listening to my body).

Sunidaze

I was actually looking at the Polar website earlier today - DH's new hobby is training for triathlons/iron man competitions and he was wanting a Garmin GPS enabled watch (forerunner) and nixed that due to needed bathroom renos, however, if he hasn't gotten one anyway by Christmas, this is going to be his gift and I was compared options from both sites.  

 

tasiaceleste

They're fun toys!  I love my forerunner.  I think it's a 4.0 but I'd have to look. 

 

The best use for them, IMO, is learning how to keep your heart rate down during endurance runs. I never run with mine anymore (unless I'm out on a trail-- I like the GPS for that).  I found that getting rid of gadgets improved the quality of my runs quite a bit. 

Sunidaze

tasiaceleste:

They're fun toys!  I love my forerunner.  I think it's a 4.0 but I'd have to look. 

 

The best use for them, IMO, is learning how to keep your heart rate down during endurance runs. I never run with mine anymore (unless I'm out on a trail-- I like the GPS for that).  I found that getting rid of gadgets improved the quality of my runs quite a bit. 

I should tell my husband this!  Seriously...since he got into the 'let's train for triathlon' kick he is wanting to buy every gadget under the sun to 'improve' his performance!  And don't even get me started on the bigger items he wants (body suit for swimming, the bikes, etc.).

I am not a runner (although I am going to make one last attempt soon) but in addition to the usual cardio machines in the gym, I have been taking spin classes for years (and finally found one I love at the Y) as well as I plan to try a bootcamp class this next session.

Janell's Nest

I'm obsessed with mine.  I have two, one for just general fitness and it was my first one (Polar FT7), now I'm outside way more and like to know my distances more than anything along with pace, so I have the Garmin 405cx for that.  I love that I don't have to do map my run or that stuff anymore the GPS tells me that.  I also like it as a gauge of my overall burn because the machines at the gym are more than 30% off on calorie burn.

babydancer83

I do love my Polar Ft4! I used it before my pregnancy, and love it now- I tend to push myself in activities and really have to pay attention now to my monitor. I want to make sure I don't over do it!

I love knowing how many calories I burned, and it tracks each workout for you.