As much as I've been trying to talk myself out of wanting a sports watch or fitness tracker, I keep going back to wanting one... I currently use the NRC app on my iPhone together with the iHealth app (or whatever its called) - and they don't work for heart rate training, for example.
I've read that for HRT a chest belt is best. There are also some that don't require a watch-like thing, which is somewhat appealing to me as I haven't worn a watch in ages. Then again, it just measures heart rate and such while you're wearing the belt, which I'd probably won't do all day.
I've been eyeing a Garmin Forerunner 45 or 55 or a Polar Pacer, though I'd prefer not spending more than 200€. Both Garmin and Polar have "pure" chest belts, like the Garmin HRM-Pro...
So, any thoughts and/or recommendations? 🤔
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ChannelRunner2
Graduate10
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I have a Garmin Forerunner 220 which is years old but is still dependable and tells me what I need, ie basic stats. I don’t wear a heart monitor.
Lots of runners here seems to have the 45 model and love it so hopefully some of them will be here to advise you. If you want a really thorough review of the Garmin models then this is your goto website.
I have a Garmin 45, I also have a Polar pacer with chest strap .
The polar is many years old but I certainly consider the chest strap readings to be accurate.
But I have never worn it for running .
I prefer to judge my HR by perceived effort, but I guess it depends on what your objectives are .
You mention HRT so I would say if you are wanting to get into something like MAF training then a chest strap may give you the accuracy you are looking for
I have ran a few times with 2 Garmin's (older and newer models) and had heart strap connected to one of them. The one with the strap was a tad quicker in its response times. So now I only wear the strap for races or very long runs. But I wouldn't be too pushed if I forgot to bring it with me either to be honest.
I have a Forerunner 35. It is a good watch and monitors heart rate on your wrist. It is pretty accurate and I wear it as an everyday watch. The Forerunner 45 is the next model up. You can get good deals on a 45 as it has been upped by the 55.
Thank you all for your input! Currently, I am leaning toward a Forerunner 45. Unless it also does the dishes, I don't really need anything more fancy 🙃. I won't buy a chest belt, though, as they seem unnecessary for my purposes. For now at least...
And I get judging by perceived effort! I am hoping that I can use the watch to help me with that as I am telling myself that my judging is off. Though maybe that's just an excuse to buy a gadget 🤣
I've just this minute, opened my birthday present from my husband and it is the Forerunner 45... I researched a lot, a heck of a lot, before asking for this update to my old one... and took advice from the good and the great. inspirational runners on the forums too.
It looks super, is going to take me a while to set up , but I am thinking it will be just the job.
Eons ago, I had a Polar thingie with chest strap (I don't recall if it was more than a HR monitor...). If I recall correctly, I wore it with a special sports bra, so if didn't budge... (and, yes, I wish I had kept it, though it probably wouldn't work anymore anyways...)
I have a Garmin Forerunner 45 which I have only had for about a month. It seems to be a good watch for runners. I could not stand a chest belt for monitoring heart rate which ruled out a number of other watches but this Garmin seems to be good.
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Which fitness watch to buy? 
Recommend a GPS watch
Lost the Plot
Garmin 235
