Heart Rate Monitor Recommendation

After the post that shares about fitness and training with a HR monitor, I've received requests from several friends and team mates of mine to recommend some that works.

I'll recommend some below, from the cheapest to the most expensive. I sorted it this way because the functions are all tried and tested by myself or by some of my close fiends and the main concern raised to me regarding which one to buy is the cost. It is still a misconception that people still think HR monitors are rich men's toys... There're some really affordable and reliable ones.

I think reliability is of very huge concern here because its numbers we're dealing with as guidance to our training.. why spend on something cheaper but doesn't give you anything correctly in return?

Also, the below are just SOME very few recommendations... there're a whole world of other products out there... as mentioned above, they're some i've tried and my friends have tried... so do some research if you find this post not convincing (its not supposed to feel convincing in the first place...:P)! :)

-------------------------

Polar F series (Fitness Series)

Model: Polar FT1
Price: $89
Features Worth Mentioning:
- Basic HR monitor that displays your HR! Simple!
-Zone lock alarm to keep you in zone!

Model: Polar F4M/F4F
Price: $103
Features Worth Mentioning:
- Basic HR Monitor that displays your HR.
- F4F is female (red) version and the F4M is Male (black) version. Good for husband and wife~ :P
-Zone lock alarm to keep you in zone!

Polar RS series (Runner Series)

Model: RS100
Price: $130.94
Features Worth Mentioning:
- Zone lock alarm. Meaning if you set it to be at Zone 2 (70%-80% MHR), it'll beep when you're slacking (below of zone) or working too hard (over the zone)
- This is also the cheapest Polar model that has a lap function.
- You can also buy the uplink tool at $82.90 to store your workout data into a website provided by polar.

Model: RS300
Price: $187.05
Features Worth Mentioning:
- It is about the same as RS100, except it is compatible with a few other gadgets such as a GPS receiver and Foot Pod.
- You can search for the RS300SD which comes with the foot pod or RS300X that comes with the GPS as it is priced differently but cheaper to buy that way.
- Can plan interval training

Model: RS800
Price: $617 (without GPS/ bike stuffs)
Features Worth Mentioning:
- It is the highest end of Polar HR Monitor.
- All of RS300 features + it can be used as a bike speedometer with cadence sensor and speed sensor. It also is compatible with a GPS. Have Built in altimeter, thermometer.

Garmin

Model: Garmin Forerunner 205 / 305 / 310XT
Price: $252.52 / $336.68 / $505.04
Features:
- They are about the same watches and the features are Crazy Lots. It is better if you visit the links above by clicking on the model and read it yourself.
- All with Built in GPS sensor. Highly reliable, tried and tested in trail running in SG and Desaru and other malaysia rides by my friends.
- A course feature, meaning if you track one race or workout and store it in the watch, the next time you do the same course/race again, you can "race" with yourself with the watch telling you your pace compared to the previous time done!

Note: GPS sensors are good for cross training or multi sports training such as kayaking or even mountain running to track your distance travelled. You can also map out the details in google map. :)

If you're looking for a basic HR monitor to improve your lifestyle, get FT1 for just below 90 bucks. Seriously, the payback to your health can be thousand times more than its cost (underestimating if you think about the injuries that can plague you if you over train).

If you have the money to splurge, I believe Garmin Forerunner 310XT is the best buy thus far given it has a really strong and reliable GPS BUILT-IN the watch. For the polar ones you have to carry a small piece of GPS receiver, some say its bulky and heavy but I find it is okay as it weighs only 300g?... If you can do a triathlon or walk up the stairs with your body of over 60kg then what is 300grams? Choose as you deem fit.:)

If you're keen on RS800CX with GPS feature, get it from me for $550. I am not using it anymore and it is kind of collecting dust. Buy it in SG and it'll cost more than $800.

There are other HR monitors available, brands are namely Timex, Sigma... Not very sure about the rest but Sigma products I've tried before and find them rather unreliable and the builds are not sturdy enough (Maybe I'm too rough).

The above are just basic review, go to the links and read up, they have extensive reviews and product feature listing. Go google the product review too... they're very well used and well reviewed in the internet already. :)

Disclaimer: I am not paid to do this. Merely providing information for you guys.

Cheers
KK