Heart Monitors - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

thingstodo · 01-24-2005, 04:18 PM

So I finfally got a heart monitor for spin class. It's a Polar M61 and does the things I need. Too bad I don't ride outside as much or I would have been able to accessorize a biking monitor nicely with some extra bucks!

My question, besides starting discussion on these things, is how do you keep the straps clean and dry? Some days I work out around lunch, which means I have to rinse the strap and then leave it in my bag, in the car, all wet until I get home in the evening.

Val_1 · 01-25-2005, 08:04 PM

I don't clean my strap anywhere near as often as I should. Maybe once a week or once every two weeks I wipe it down with mild soap/water solution then dry (I wouldn't submerge it). Sweat itself is actually pretty clean (as compared to other things), so I don't think it's a big deal to not clean it everyday. But, others might have other opinions.

limey · 01-27-2005, 06:03 AM

Ditto, fo Val_1. I don't clean my strap often at all. It's only me wearing it and as long as I don't put it near my mouth or eyes I don't think it will do much harm.

dman2 · 02-12-2005, 08:51 AM

I am glad someone mentioned heart rate monitors. How accurate is the Polar M61? Most importantly, how much did it set you back? I have looked and the lowest cost Polar was about $100. I was skeptical of purchasing it because I was not sure how
accurate it would be. Does it do anything other than show your heart rate?

Val_1 · 02-13-2005, 09:53 AM

I got a cheaper Polar for about $50 at Sears. I figured I didn't need anything fancy to start with. It shows heart rate, elapsed time, and gives you an average heart rate at the end of your work out. It seems to be pretty accurate, but it doesn't measure well until your rate gets up there a bit (around 100bpm), so it won't measure your heart rate if your just sitting on the couch; which is fine, cause that's not what you're using it for.

Leo · 02-14-2005, 11:26 PM

I have a similar experience to Val - OK once you get going but gives some odd read outs while warming up. Once I hit over 100 I think mine's pretty accurate. It shows around 120 when I'm starting to feel warm, then I notice that it shows the rate going up the quicker I run and doesn't give any crazy feedback. Usually run between 140-180 range, sometimes a bit easier, sometimes a bit harder for shorter spurts, depending on what type of run I'm doing. The rate seems to feedback around what I'd expect it to.

thingstodo · 02-16-2005, 04:42 PM

I got the M61 because it allows you to do a resting fitness test. It also allows you to determine your range on any particular day based on a 5-minute series of increased activity and then put that range into the monitor.

Some of the other things I like are:

-soft strap on the better models
-the elapsed workout time
-being able to see that or the clock at the same time you are working out
-the amount of time you were in your zone (also let's you set your zone and then alarms when you are above or below)
-little marks for every ten minutes in your zone
-recaps everything from yor last workout

It does well measuring a resting heartbeat all the way up. I even checked at the drug store with their blood pressure machines and several times at the Dr.'s office. I really like this one. However, I'm sure the basic models are fine if you just want to see what your active rate it.

I found it as low as $139 with free shipping on line but took a few $150 price matches from the internet to a local store and they matched the $150 price. It lists for $179 on the Polar site recently but was reduced to $159? plus shipping.

01-24-2005, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Heart Monitors So I finfally got a heart monitor for spin class. It's a Polar M61 and does the things I need. Too bad I don't ride outside as much or I would have been able to accessorize a biking monitor nicely with some extra bucks! My question, besides starting discussion on these things, is how do you keep the straps clean and dry? Some days I work out around lunch, which means I have to rinse the strap and then leave it in my bag, in the car, all wet until I get home in the evening. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

01-25-2005, 08:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Val_1 Addict Location: In a State of Denial	I don't clean my strap anywhere near as often as I should. Maybe once a week or once every two weeks I wipe it down with mild soap/water solution then dry (I wouldn't submerge it). Sweat itself is actually pretty clean (as compared to other things), so I don't think it's a big deal to not clean it everyday. But, others might have other opinions. __________________ I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -Frank Sinatra

02-12-2005, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	I am glad someone mentioned heart rate monitors. How accurate is the Polar M61? Most importantly, how much did it set you back? I have looked and the lowest cost Polar was about $100. I was skeptical of purchasing it because I was not sure how accurate it would be. Does it do anything other than show your heart rate? __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

02-13-2005, 09:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Val_1 Addict Location: In a State of Denial	I got a cheaper Polar for about $50 at Sears. I figured I didn't need anything fancy to start with. It shows heart rate, elapsed time, and gives you an average heart rate at the end of your work out. It seems to be pretty accurate, but it doesn't measure well until your rate gets up there a bit (around 100bpm), so it won't measure your heart rate if your just sitting on the couch; which is fine, cause that's not what you're using it for. __________________ I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -Frank Sinatra

02-16-2005, 04:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I got the M61 because it allows you to do a resting fitness test. It also allows you to determine your range on any particular day based on a 5-minute series of increased activity and then put that range into the monitor. Some of the other things I like are: -soft strap on the better models -the elapsed workout time -being able to see that or the clock at the same time you are working out -the amount of time you were in your zone (also let's you set your zone and then alarms when you are above or below) -little marks for every ten minutes in your zone -recaps everything from yor last workout It does well measuring a resting heartbeat all the way up. I even checked at the drug store with their blood pressure machines and several times at the Dr.'s office. I really like this one. However, I'm sure the basic models are fine if you just want to see what your active rate it. I found it as low as $139 with free shipping on line but took a few $150 price matches from the internet to a local store and they matched the $150 price. It lists for $179 on the Polar site recently but was reduced to $159? plus shipping. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

01-27-2005, 06:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
limey Insane Location: not there	Ditto, fo Val_1. I don't clean my strap often at all. It's only me wearing it and as long as I don't put it near my mouth or eyes I don't think it will do much harm.

02-14-2005, 11:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Leo Tilted	I have a similar experience to Val - OK once you get going but gives some odd read outs while warming up. Once I hit over 100 I think mine's pretty accurate. It shows around 120 when I'm starting to feel warm, then I notice that it shows the rate going up the quicker I run and doesn't give any crazy feedback. Usually run between 140-180 range, sometimes a bit easier, sometimes a bit harder for shorter spurts, depending on what type of run I'm doing. The rate seems to feedback around what I'd expect it to.