Polar heart rate monitors - anybody use one?

[Cohiba Stevie]

Im getting in to cycling and have sprung for a decent hybrid bicycle to get me started, mostly for losing some weight around the waist and to better my general fitness. If i make headway and enjoy it I will look to getting a road bike in the future.

Ive also got a polar heart rate monitor on the recommendation of some running/cycling friends. Im told it can be great to monitor calories burned and make sure im not over or under exercising...

Does anybody use one?

Any feedback with pros and cons would be much appreciated.

Thanks folks!

[Cohiba007]

I use one and won't ride without it now. It lets you know what "zone" you are in because it does you no good to over exercise. You will love it.

Im getting in to cycling and have sprung for a decent hybrid bicycle to get me started, mostly for losing some weight around the waist and to better my general fitness. If i make headway and enjoy it I will look to getting a road bike in the future.

Ive also got a polar heart rate monitor on the recommendation of some running/cycling friends. Im told it can be great to monitor calories burned and make sure im not over or under exercising...

Does anybody use one?

Any feedback with pros and cons would be much appreciated.

Thanks folks!

[gersonmorelli]

Same here, I've been using heart rate monitor for quite some time for running and now cycling. I'm currently using the Garmin Forerunner 610 which is also great to track distance, speed, cadence (with a small accessorie in the bike), etc. I highly recommend it.

[GernBlansten]

Yeah, I use a Polar. It's an older model. If I were getting a new one, it would have the both the HRM and GPS features. It would be awesome to be able to see pace, distance and upload my route(s). A trainer taught me how to manage my time in particular zones and that helped me drop some weight. It's also very gratifying and motivating to look down after a workout, bike or run and see that you killed, say, 1000 calories.

You'll enjoy it, to be sure!

[CanuckSARTech]

Well worth it, for the advantages to your workouts (use one during various times for workouts at work). A bit annoying at first, takes a bit to get used to wearing the chest band. But great addition in the long run, IMO.

[Phillycyclocross]

Any heart rate monitor is a good idea when doing any sort of aerobic excersise. First find out your max heart rate (not an enjoyable task) and then you can figure out your HR zones. Just going out on a bike and riding won't do nearly as much as doing zone workouts. You can ride all day in zone 1/2 and never lose any weight or gain fitness. I stopped using a HR monitor after 5 years just because I know now what zone I'm in instinctively. But I lived by it for the first few years. Worth every Penny.

Polar is good quality but most HR monitors will do. If you really get into cycling check out Garmin's line of computers and HR monitors. Adds many new levels to your ride/workout.

Enjoy!

[Ghabanos]

I'm a fatty. But when I out of a job and worked out daily. I swear by it.

Love it. Worth every penny.

[sighuber]

I use a Garmin along with a GPS watch. I find being able to track heart rate during workouts to be very helpful, especially when on the upwar phase of gaining fitness. In the beginning, you'll find you will be able to up the pace every couple of weeks and still maintain your target heart rate. I also like being able to download the data after each workout and track the progress. The chest band is not comfortable but for me the data feedback is worth it.

[edlye]

If you're into cycling then polar has a range of sensors under the CS line that are pretty good (gives speed and cadence).

[gigabyte056]

used to have the Garmin 405cx, great little thing with a built in GPS so you know how much you're covering and elevation etc.

had an issue with battery time since they only last for about 8 hours between charges when in exercise mode, now moved to a better version.

still a Garmin but now the 910XT which lasts for 20+ hours and can detect when I am switching from running to cycling and swimming.

Had a Polar once, if it is just to cover heart rate it is OK, but the issue with their HRM belt is annoying, the versions I had require a new monitor when the battery dies after 18 months, no way of replacing it...

I would make sure you can replace the battery at least.

[bigfunkyg]

I have the Polar Nike + System. I run 2 - 3 times a week in the moring on my Eliptical machine, so unfortunately the Nike + system doesn't monitor my distance and calories burned very well. The heart rate monitor works great. I'm gearing up to try some actual running in the fall.

Garrett