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Heart Rate Monitor recommendations
garyroberts
Posts: 869
in General Chat
I bought a HRM polar rs200 to be precise in summer last year.
It was great, got lots of use until I decided that I didn't want to train on just heart rate anymore!
So I just got myself a Garmin forerunner 305, havent been able to use if for running yet due to fracture, but as I am allowed to do a bit of cycling I have been using it for that. Its great, I can't fault it yet (although waterproof would be nice!)
I also think running training by pace is far more productive than heart rate alone, as heart rate is governed by so many variables. But the garmin had Heart rate too! It can also be used on the bike, so instead of having a bike computer you can get this, I actually have mine fastened in the centre of my aerobars so I have a big speedo its great!
So I would recommend spending the 130 on the garmin as it will cover all your needs, and will save you in the long run from buying a separate HRM an bike computer!
It was great, got lots of use until I decided that I didn't want to train on just heart rate anymore!
So I just got myself a Garmin forerunner 305, havent been able to use if for running yet due to fracture, but as I am allowed to do a bit of cycling I have been using it for that. Its great, I can't fault it yet (although waterproof would be nice!)
I also think running training by pace is far more productive than heart rate alone, as heart rate is governed by so many variables. But the garmin had Heart rate too! It can also be used on the bike, so instead of having a bike computer you can get this, I actually have mine fastened in the centre of my aerobars so I have a big speedo its great!
So I would recommend spending the 130 on the garmin as it will cover all your needs, and will save you in the long run from buying a separate HRM an bike computer!
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After attending the TCR Show i have come to the conclusion that a heart rate monitor is a must. So the simple question is this.....what functions (other than HRM!) should i be looking for? And if you have a recommendation...what is it?
Thanks for your help!
you dont need one. i stopped using mine to allow me to push my limits harder. will use on for specific sessions and HIM races
I also echo the comments about the Garmin 305.. it's my favourite training tool for both cycling and running.. but I'm a little bit of a geek with wanting to know my stats...
Although I've only started using the heart rate monitor in the last month, I must confess I've found it really useful and it's also helped my training. I've been out for a few low ZR zones runs and I was amazed with the speeds/pace I was maintaining with low heart rates (until the hills anyway!!!) and more importantly I didn't suffer from any adverse reactions after the runs (i.e.DOMS) like I normally do when I go for a fast run.
I'm still looking into the science behind HR training like the Base period..
Scott
I would say get a HRM, use it to get a feel for your work rate, and how to push yourself, how to pace yourself etc. but do not let the HRM be your coach.
As for what make/model I reccommend Polar. I have always used Polar. Ten years ago when rowing we were given various makes for free but we always ditched them for Polar, however technology has moved on since then.
Thanks again. [:D]
i have the Garmin 305 -and as far as I'm aware it's the only multi sport HRM there is.
It's brilliant - not only for the multi sport -(you can set it up so you press start/stop every different thing you do and it later tells you exactly what you did, ie time, avg heart rate etc.)
But one of the excellent things I found was instead of BPM it shows it as % of you Max HR, which is much more useful to me!
and you can turn on the training partner, also very useful.
I've had a couple of Polar heart rate monitors, but I've used my Garmin 305 SO much more. you can also view your runs in Google Earth - good when I did the 100 mile exmoor beast - it was pretty impressive - even from Space!
Ive got a forerunner 50 that cost £26 of Amazon that is fantastic does every basic function and coupled with foot pod and cadence can do a lot more.
My advice for what its worth is buy a decent enough cheaper HRM see if you use the basic functions and if you do! in the spring/summer sale go out and buy an all singing all dancing [color="#990000"]Red Carbon one thats cooks Porridge.
Mat
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Have taken your advice and gone for the forerunner 50. I paid far to much by the sound of things (£45) but hey ho! Anyway - It doesn't come with the footpod thing......i guess that just gives cadence (for running) and estimated distance. I guess i'll do without it for now.
Thanks
As Jack has suggested above, I'm using mine just to stop myself running or biking too fast. As he says "how slow is slow?" is a difficult question for the inexperienced.
I don't know if its me catching the button (i'm guessing it is), but who cares, if its me then the bloody buttons in the wrong place, and if its stopping on its own (unlikely) then its crap!
Conclusion....
.....it works fine but i wouldn't buy it (or any other model that has the stop/start button on the right hand edge).