Heart Rate Monitors?

[luna moth]

Just looking for a recommendation. I've never had one before, don't really know how they work or what to look for etc. I just want to make sure I don't go over 140bpm. That's really all I need it for.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

[Mother Goose]

Just grab a basic Polar Heart Monitor. They're great. I think mine is a T13 or something - very basic - it was thrown in when we bought our treadmill. It tracks how long you've exercised for, calculates the average heart rate, and also has the ranges so you can make sure you're between two values ie if you want to make sure your heart rate is between 100 and 150 beats per minute. I love it. Have a look on Ebay. I have thought about getting one to calculate calories and distance as well but can't justify it at the moment.

HTH

MG

[luna moth]

So how do they work? How will it know what my heart rate is? Does it go off your pulse, or just guesstimates, or what? What I'm worried about is that it turns out like a pedometer. Some of them are great, but others will rack you up 4 steps just for pulling your pants down.

[Bathsheba]

I'll be watching this thread... would like one to monitor my resting heart rate. I have a thyroid condition which major symptom is a fast resting HR.

[Mother Goose]

You wear a strap around your chest just under your bra line. The front is a plastic (only about 10cm long) and the rest is extendable elastic. It is actually pretty comfy. The plastic bit has sensors on it which picks up your heart beat. You wear a watch that, when turned on to the correct setting, reads your pulse. Really quiet simple. And it is very accurate. The equip at the gym I go to also picks up my HR when I wear my belt thing... Soooo, no weighing down of pants

HTH

MG

[luna moth]

So can I just buy one of the hundreds available on ebay? Or should I go somewhere else?