HR monitor?

[Mom2four85]

I'm starting to exercise again and I don't think my treadmill monitor is right since it's 10 years old; it was 30 pts off my bp/hr monitor which is a ReliOn and measures pretty close to my dr's.

I know I've seen others use monitors during exercise, can you please give me some names/models of good ones?

thanks =)

[tom_h]

You can get them for under 80 bucks on places like Amazon.  Again, it's levels of sophistication.

[Mom2four85]

Thanks Tom; I've been looking...WOW they're expensive aren't they? $200-$500 for them gave me sticker shock hehehe

Anyone know if a Bowflex Fit Trainer http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/bowflex-fittrainer.html  is any good?  I like that it has a Pedometer functions of Steps, Distance, Speed and Calories and is about $50.

[tom_h]

I used a Polar back when I skated competitively.  They make several different kinds which offer levels of features.

[Mom2four85]

yup I really need a monitor not just rely on my fingers or my ancient treadmill one lol

ugh I'll find it.. pretty sure it was a Polar - still searching for the thread, I think Itdood mentioned his was a polar...

now if I can just get a brain monitor to measure my brain activity LOL which seems not to be there when I need it.

[curmudgen]

The most reliable heart rate monitor is free....
Find your carotid artery in your neck and take reading for 15 seconds X4...

[bbxx]

OH goodness Lisa--I guess you do need a monitor!

[is_something_wrong]

Exactly. I'm not too good at that ;)

[Mom2four85]

I just need something to watch my rate as I exercise...I think someone has a Polar monitor ?...hopefully they will see this and answer.

I have to have something accurate so I can watch; since I know my ICD is set @220bpm to shock me :P and getting off the treadmill to hook up my bp/hr monitor is a pain.  If I can see my HR is at a decent rate it will help me walk longer and know when to increase time or intensity.

I don't care what my hr is unless I'm hitting that 200+ mark; I'm too tired to become obsessed, plus I HAD to do something I'm tired of being sick and tired and my body rejecting me! LOL

[bbxx]

Is something--do as I say not as I do? lol I am only teasing--dont get offended.

[is_something_wrong]

Lisa, it's great that you start exercising! (no offense, lol, I always hate writing that)

I recommend (from my experience alone, of course) NOT to use any bp/hr monitors, as those devices can make you obsessed and actually increase the heart rate. Using common sense is often good enough, listen to your body and forget the heart rate.

I guess such devices don't pick up ventricular tachycardia anyway, the pulse pressure should be too low for them to register. If I use a monitor and happen to have a PAC, it's not picked up and I guess runs aren't picked up either.