Heart Rate Monitors

[MikeB18]

Having been underweight most of my life and struggling with it as I have got older and more active, I have decided it's time to do something about it as I plan to cycle a lot more and just become a healthier and fitter person and live a normal day to day life without the effects I have been having. I will be seeing a dietician in the new year and have been advised to monitor my heart rate and Calories.

My question to you is what bit of kit would you recommend that will allow me to do this accurately? I ideally would like a watch style monitor for my regular day to day activities such as work, walking to the shop, walking the dog etc and then a chest strap monitor for cycling and running.

I understand the most accurate monitors are the chest straps but it's not possible for me to wear one all day every day especially at work.

I am happy to use 2 different brands of products as long as I can link the results in some way. I am currently using myfitnesspal and strava so it would be good if I can connect the monitors to them but I know that's not always the case

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated and hope to hear some feedback soon

 

[Crandoggler]

Fitbit?

 

[Oldfentiger]

I have a TomTom Multisport Cardio. I can't vouch for accuracy but the results are always consistent.
Syncs to smartphone using Bluetooth - TomTom Mysports app, then uploads to Srava automatically.

 

[Citius]

and have been advised to monitor my heart rate

Who advised you to do that? Unless you have a diagnosed heart or related health condition, there is no need and no particular benefit.

 

[MikeB18]

Who advised you to do that?

My GP, I don't wish to go any further into my health problems

 

[Citius]

My GP, I don't wish to go any further into my health problems

Did your GP mention what the point of monitoring your HR was?

 

[midliferider]

My GP, I don't wish to go any further into my health problems

Perhaps you should ask him for one.
If your GP's professional opinion is that it is important to monitor your heart rate because of your health, I would expect your GP to provide the equipment as well.

 

[MikeB18]

my question was about equipment not my health or my GP so please if you can't answer the question I've asked, quite simply don't reply to my post

 

[Jody]

Cheap bluetooth hrm and then use polar beat app. You can also link the hrm to Strava. If you have both apps running it will give you quite a bit of data. You can pick a cheap BT hrm up for about 15 to 20 quid.

 

[Citius]

my question was about equipment not my health or my GP

I think the point that myself and midliferider are both trying to make is that if your GP is recommending that you monitor your HR, then it ought to be as a result of a medical intervention, not by asking some random people on the internet.

 

[midlife]

Maybe ask your GP for Holter ambulatory cardiac monitoring if you both want to do it accurately?

Shaun

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

My GP, I don't wish to go any further into my health problems

Your post on another forum you say "I would like to monitor my hr" Either you were told by a doctor or you weren't

Besides that, wearing an hrm isn't going to tell you anything usefull, it simply can't...

 

[cyberknight]

I think others are more concerned that you may have a condition that needs monitoring and as said the doc should provide you with one if so , there are heart conditions that can be monitored and others like my irregular heart rhythm that dont show up unless you have an ECG .As long as your happy with your doctors advice and are happy with the suggestions provided on here its up to you whether you are comfortable with revealing personal information on your health to random internet loonies
.

 

[Stephenite]

Garmin products and the Garmin Connect app/website link seamlessly with MFP and strava.
I have an older version Vivosmart on all the time (no gps but can syncs with a chest strap), and a Forerunner 910XT for specific activities.
If you only plan to cycle you might consider something from the Garmin Edge range.

 

[HeroesFitness]

Having been underweight most of my life and struggling with it as I have got older and more active, I have decided it's time to do something about it as I plan to cycle a lot more and just become a healthier and fitter person and live a normal day to day life without the effects I have been having. I will be seeing a dietician in the new year and have been advised to monitor my heart rate and Calories.

My question to you is what bit of kit would you recommend that will allow me to do this accurately? I ideally would like a watch style monitor for my regular day to day activities such as work, walking to the shop, walking the dog etc and then a chest strap monitor for cycling and running.

I understand the most accurate monitors are the chest straps but it's not possible for me to wear one all day every day especially at work.

I am happy to use 2 different brands of products as long as I can link the results in some way. I am currently using myfitnesspal and strava so it would be good if I can connect the monitors to them but I know that's not always the case

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated and hope to hear some feedback soon

I would use a Polar Monitor with chest strap during exercise and if you have an I-Phone or Android then for general use they have a fitness app where you can monitor your heartrate, if not just try amazon for heartrate monitors and take a look at the reviews.

Happy New Year :-)