Hey, what type of HR Monitors do you use (if any)?
I have one that I use for my own workouts, it's a Reebok that I got on sale a couple years ago. However, it doesn't give a constant readout, you have to push these two sensors on it and it takes a few seconds to read out (and sometimes it can be a pain in the neck :)).
I want to get one that gives a constant read-out for clients so that they know exactly where they are at any given time.
I am trying to decide between one w/ a chest strap and one w/o.
If the strapless work well then I'd rather go that route rather than having to use a strap on a client.
The Polar's seem best, though costly. But I figure this is an important piece of equipment so if I have to spend a bit more for something like this I will.
I definitely will do as Douglas Brooks suggests and use RPE and then find out what there HR is compared to the RPE so I'll be able to see their progress.
depends on what you are wanting out of it..if you are just monitoring your heart rate you can go with the FS1 or 2 for fairly cheap but if you want more from it then the price jumps to around $300 and you can get just about whatever you can think of. I have a great book on using heart rate monitors, I think it is in my book list...yep here it is cut and pasted lol
-Joe Friel "Total Heart Rate Training: Customize and Maximize Your Workout Using a Heart Rate Monitor" also the author of the Triathlete Training Bible(If you want to understand exactly what to do with a heart rate monitor this is the book-HINT it is not just for seeing your average HR during a workout)
this book will change the way you think about HR monitors, but it is too advanced for most people to even use...non the less I suggest you read it if you purchase the FS3 or above it is very enlightening for endurance training if that is what you are into..biking, marathons, swimming, triathlon etc otherwise just stick with the FS1 or FS2 they have basic HR, time working out, ave HR, max HR. and regular time. If you don't plan on using it for a watch at all get the FS1 the FS2 has an alarm for like $20 more lol and it has more buttons, the FS1 only has 1 button which at times is a pain in the butt. If you want an actual stop watch or timer that is in the higher models. Have you gone to the Polar site? http://www.polarusa.com/us-en there are a lot to choose from so take a peak if you haven't.
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If a person wants something that they have never had, they have to do something that they have never done. - Shawn Fears, CPT
depends on what you are wanting out of it..if you are just monitoring your heart rate you can go with the FS1 or 2 for fairly cheap but if you want more from it then the price jumps to around $300 and you can get just about whatever you can think of. I have a great book on using heart rate monitors, I think it is in my book list...yep here it is cut and pasted lol
-Joe Friel "Total Heart Rate Training: Customize and Maximize Your Workout Using a Heart Rate Monitor" also the author of the Triathlete Training Bible(If you want to understand exactly what to do with a heart rate monitor this is the book-HINT it is not just for seeing your average HR during a workout)
this book will change the way you think about HR monitors, but it is too advanced for most people to even use...non the less I suggest you read it if you purchase the FS3 or above it is very enlightening for endurance training if that is what you are into..biking, marathons, swimming, triathlon etc otherwise just stick with the FS1 or FS2 they have basic HR, time working out, ave HR, max HR. and regular time. If you don't plan on using it for a watch at all get the FS1 the FS2 has an alarm for like $20 more lol and it has more buttons, the FS1 only has 1 button which at times is a pain in the butt. If you want an actual stop watch or timer that is in the higher models. Have you gone to the Polar site? http://www.polarusa.com/us-en there are a lot to choose from so take a peak if you haven't.
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for all the info, I REALLY appreciate it!
I bought a pretty nice stop watch with a nice big and clear read-out. I figured it would just be easier to have that hanging around my neck as needed rather than having to use the HR monitor for that purpose.
Mostly, I just want a HR montior that gives a constant readout (my Reebok HR Monitor is a pain because you have to push on two buttons in front and then wait for your HR, not very convenient esp. for using w/ a client).
I'll look at the Polar site and then go pick one up at one of the sporting goods stores when I buy my aerobic step.
