I ran a test on my HRM.

[Longhorn]

My elliptical trainer has a heart rate monitor -- you grasp the handles over the metal plates to check it. I've been wondering how accurate it is when I remembered that I have another HRM -- the kind where you wear a band around your chest and a watch-like receiver on your wrist. So I put it on and checked both while exercising. I couldn't believe how identical the readings were! They would even change almost exactly at the same time as my rate went up or down!

So last summer when my HR went well over 220 when I was climbing a major hill on my bike, I now know it was likely an accurate reading and not some kind of electrical interference.

I've been exercising at about 75 percent with intervals up to 85 to 90 percent. That's supposed to keep me in the "fat-burning" range. There's an HRM program on the elliptical that I've been using -- I set the desired wattage and desired HR and the elliptical automatically adjusts the wattage up or down to maintain the HR. I've been noticing that the wattage has increased by ten points much of the time. I take this as a sign that I'm improving and it takes more resistance to keep my HR up. :woohoo:

[crispini]

1. I've been thinking about getting one of those thingys.

Got any recommendations on makes and models and good features to get?

[Longhorn]

2. Mine was really cheap

like $40. I got it at Nashbar, a bike supply site: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=5400&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

At the end of a workout, it summarizes total time, highest, average, and lowest HR. Some allow you to download the data to a computer for further analysis. I'm sure there are other features because some run up to a couple of hundred dollars! I didn't need any of that.

What I found out is that I was often overdoing it when I exercised, which wasn't doing me much good, plus it was so uncomfortable that I began to dread it. Now that I'm in the proper zone, I'm much more comfortable and getting better results. It was definitely worth it to me for that information.

[crispini]

3. Oooo! Gadget time!

Of course I have to have the one with the computer on it! One more thing to play with! :bounce:

What do you think of this one? It says it's "for the smaller athelete" and I do have teeny tiny wrists. I should probably go and look at these in the store cause most men's watches wouldn't fit me in million years.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47901906&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=736046-723019&ext_cat=undefined

[Longhorn]

7. That looks cool!

Just so you know, the holes in my wrist strap begin about an inch from the edge of the HR face so that it could actually fit on a child's wrist, let alone a small adult. :)

[Obamanaut]

4. Is this a worthwhile device?

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1139240281/ref=sr_2_1/601-0884705-2780963?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00006WNS1

If you don't go to the link, it's a cardio pulse rate monitor, used with fingertip pressure rather than a chest strap, I know nothing about any of these, but don't want to bother with chest sensors. I've been checking my pulse with a watch second hand.

[crispini]

5. Interesting, I saw some of the watches

had fingertip pressure if you didn't want to use the wristband, so this isn't the only device that is using that measurement. I noticed the reviewer found it accurate, but you might want to hear some more from other users-- maybe check the Amazon.com website? I have heard mixed reviews about the accuracy of Tanita scales and bodyfat measurements.

That said, I wouldn't want to interrupt my workout to stop and measure my heartbeat. Sounds annoying to me. But everyone is different.

[Longhorn]

8. Great idea!

I have no idea how well it works but Target is usually pretty good about accepting returns. I think I'd get it at the store because Target usually charges way too much for shipping/handling. My only concern would be whether I could continue to train on the elliptical or ride my bike, etc., while checking my pulse. Glancing at my wrist is usually easy, though sometimes the watch is turned in the wrong direction and I can't let go of the handlebars to look at it for some reason.

My elliptical had an attachment where you attach the monitor to your earlobe. It never worked very well for me and then I lost it. Fortunately, it also has the hand grips.

The price is sure right! Good luck!

[GOPisEvil]

6. Those things kept from exercising too hard and out of the zone.

Now I know how many steps per minute on the respective resistances I should go to maintain proper heart rate.

[Longhorn]

9. Same here!

It's good to know what the right zone feels like. I was going at it way too hard in the past.