Heart rate monitors

[Loving-life]

Happy Saturday everyone 😁🙋‍♀️🏃‍♀️.

Can anyone help with my quest in searching for a real time heart rate monitor? I have tried the MyZone one and found the device attached to the chest strap uncomfortable when exercising on machines in the gym. Plus it would not always register to phone, very annoying 😲.

Not sure if theres a different style for us ladies.

I was told it is best to go for a chest strap device instead of wrist device as it provides a more accurate reading , is this correct does anyone know?

I had a ha 3 years ago so the need for it to be a real time is priority in purchasing a device.

Thank you

[Kwenda]

Wrist based heart rate monitors are unreliable when exercising, they loose contact with the skin and any sweat does not help.

Wrist based heart monitors just check for pulses in the blood flow.

A chest strap works on the electrical pulses of the heart and is 100% accurate. The latest chest straps have a range of sensors that have to touch the skin. See the latest Garmin soft strap, you might find this would work for you. Or possibly the 4iiii model which has Bluetooth and Ant +.

Also there are bras for the ladies that accept the Garmin device and then you don't need the strap.

Well done and congratulations on keeping up with the exercises, I am a mountain biker for my exercises.

Dick

PS.. I just checked the MyZone website and they advertise a bra for their device.......

D

[Loving-life in reply to Kwenda]

Hi dick

Thanks for the info much appreciated. I just couldnt get the app on myzone to work. My pt sells them and she was mystified why it wouldnt work.... Technology and i dont get on at the best of times. I should get a job testing these products. 😄😄.

Will look at the bra options as well, good idea 👍.

I have a giant bike shop near me so will go and see if the lads there have the mentioned products this way i can bring it back if it doesnt work whilst supporting an independent business.

Have a good day

[NYA2019]

I have Fitbit Charge 3, which I purchased before my MI, but I'm not convinced about its accuracy. I'm looking to change this and the Brighton & Sussex Take Heart Group (bsthg.org.uk/home) are recommending Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitors (polar.com/uk-en). It looks like you can only purchase this monitor through the Brighton & Sussex Take Heart Group as my research appears to suggest the FT4 may be discontinued. I'm thinking, if Brighton & Sussex Take Heart Group are recommending Polar, I'm going to change to a Polar monitor of some description.

Polar offer arm straps and chest straps but personally I think a chest strap would give the best results. It may be uncomfortable the first few times you start wearing the strap, but I'm sure you will get use to it in time.

Regards

[Loving-life in reply to NYA2019]

Thank you will def look into it. Somewhere in my memory i remember having a discussion about polar products and they were being stocked less at outlets due to a move from uk to Belgium or somewhere in the EU years ago. When i had my HA polar was the go to product. Ill have a word with the group thank you for the link. Much appreciated

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

[NYA2019]

Do a search for the following post here:

Heart Rate Monitors for a Technophobe

There are 25 replies to this post and there is some good information.

Regards

[Loving-life in reply to NYA2019]

Thanks

[PMRPete]

Halfords:-

halfords.com/cycling/cyclin...

[Loving-life in reply to PMRPete]

Thank you pmrpete

[April_May]

I have a Garmin Vivosmart (or vivosport? Can’t remember!) watch and it’s actually been pretty accurate on monitoring my pulse both resting and when exercising. I regularly check it against taking my pulse manually (and once against a band) and it’s not been far off each time. I didn’t buy it for that purpose but since delenoping chest pains and palpitations it’s been pretty handy having it logging the changes.

[Kwenda in reply to April_May]

Sorry to be contrary but I have both a Garmin Vivosport and a Garmin Edge 502P with the very latest Garmin chest strap. The chest strap has proved to be totally accurate and reliable, but the wrist mounted Vivosport is only good when I am NOT exercising.

I could suppose that the difference COULD BE due to the type of exercise and the level of exertion required.

Dick

[April_May in reply to Kwenda]

Everyone is different. Different strength of pulse, depth of vessels under skin. Tightness of strap. It works well for me.

[April_May in reply to Kwenda]

I like the sound of the Garmin soft strap though, will look into that one, I don’t get on very well with chest straps normally, they make me feel really claustrophobic!

[Kwenda in reply to April_May]

Agreed, the early Garmin chest straps were constructed of a hard plastic and could be very uncomfortable. But the later chest straps are hugely improved, and I can easily wear mine all day and have done so many times on all day cycle rides in the summer.

They also have several places that must touch the skin which improves the accuracy of the readings.

Dick

[Loving-life in reply to Kwenda]

Thank you I do like the idea of a soft strap. I will investigate.

[HectorsDad]

Bucking the trend here ....

I have a Fitbit Charge 2 and it is fine on the wrist. It might loose the plot occasionally, but it’s pretty rare and only for a moment before it re-engages. I did learn early on that replacement straps keep it in the right place better and are more comfortable: cheap, readily available, stylish and quick to change.

Very few people need absolute accuracy every second of the day, and this provides plenty for recording how your heart is doing. Never any problems connecting with my iPhone although for HR I can look at the device display.

I bought this first as a cheap smart watch for picking up texts and call alerts (I’m largely deaf and don’t hear my phone) but after my recent unexpected HA I’ve realised what a great bit of kit it is.