the Best Heart Rate Monitor? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Aaron]

I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation on a good heart rate monitor to use with some clients. I have an old polar but it is better suited for slimmer people. I need input on comfort, reliability, and price.

Thanks in advance!!!

[simmo961]

Going off at a slight tangent I am currently using the Samsung F110 mobile phone. I get the client to wear the chest strap heart rate monitor and I keep hold of the phone, I explain what is is and I can keep tabs on their heart rate. It seems to work well.

[Christina]

I have only used 2 heart rate monitors: Polar and the one that came with my Garmin. I would think the Polar would work just fine. You can buy adjustable straps if you are concerned about the strap not fitting.

Christina

[mikeperryfitness]

The two leading makes of heart rate monitors are polar and cardio sport.
I have a few of each and use them regularly with my clients.

I prefer the usability of the polar however I like the fact that you can change the battery yourself in the chest straps supplied by cardio sport.

As for which is best it comes down to individual preference.

the straps are pretty much the same, it comes down to the watch and the amount of features you want. I only use the most basic with my clients as I do all of the calculations myself.

[C Lenart]

Hi Folks:

I recently purchased the Impact Sports ePulse Heart Rate Monitor Watch and Calorimeter by Impact Sports Technologies. The main advantage of this device is that it is a Chest-strap-free heart rate monitor and calorimeter that wears around the forearm and delivers the benefits of heart rate monitoring without an uncomfortable chest strap.

I've been in the Fitness Biz for about two years now and I never really liked the idea of a chest strap nor applying the gooey stuff on the chest strap when doing a heart rate measurement.

Maybe it's just me, but I like gadgets that make my life easier. I bought a Littmann 3000 Electronic Stethoscope with Ambient Noise Reduction about a year ago because I do a lot of blood pressure measurements. This device costs more than a regular scope but it will give you much quicker more accurate readings even if there's a lot of noise in the room.

Anyway, you can check out the ePulse Heart Rate Monitor Watch at Amazon. Here are the some of the good and bad reviews. I'm not endorsing this product but you can read the reviews and form your own opinions.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product...owViewpoints=1

Curt
ACSM- Health & Fitness Specialist