Thanks for the input yesterday on monitors. I bought a polar f4 today and gave it a spin. I walked for an hour hovering just under 70% max HR and burned 584 cals!!!! I never would have thought brisk walking would be THAT many calories!! WOW! Talk about motivating

It is motivating! I love, love, love my F6. I look down and see that number and it makes me want to keep on moving!!

Mark me down as LOVIN' my f6. What I really love is when the elliptical calorie count says 550 calories and my f6 says 600!!!

i love mine too but mine says I burn less than the machines

Is everything set correctly? Your age, weight, etc? Have you updated it lately? Do you do the "own zone" setting? That's a real bummer. I actually hit my calorie burn goal, according to my hrm, way before the machine says I do. I listen to the hrm. Sorry.

My HRM always shows less calories burned than the machine does. I trust it more than what the machine says.

how much do they cost and where do you get them?

I bought mine online from Amazon. You can look at polar's at www.polarusa.com

this is most interesting.


what is a good brand people recommend?

For the polar's does the HRM come with the chest strap or do you have to buy them separate? Could someone link one I'm having trouble finding both of them together :P

The polar F6 comes with the strap!

Here you go Justin:

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Monitors-Exercise-Fitness/b/ref=sc_bm_br_3407731_10_mo_8?ie=UTF8&node=3407971&no=3407731&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Is it just me about the HRM? I think it would make me more obsessive then I already feel I am getting with this site!! I dunno if I want to get one or not. I definitely don't want a strap around my chest while I am working out --- does anyone have one that works as effectively without that??

My F11 does that too. I just train longer now... lol

I think but am not 100% the Polar F4 is strapless

i read that with the polar you have to send it off to get the battery changed. has anyone had to do this? how much does it cost?

i have the highgear pulsewear duo which has been working great, but has recently started acting quirky. Let me know if you guys know of another reputable brand that lets you change the batteries yourself?

i love my poar - thin i have the F6 - with chest strap.

the watch battery you can change yourself, but you may mess up the waterproff seal. the chest strap you have to send back top polar. think that is pretty expensive. it is just a tad cheaper than buying a new one!

however, i have had mine for a while (gojng on 1.5 years) and have not had to change either yet - and i use it almost daily. i thinkt he chest strap is supossed to last at least 3 years...and the watch battery usually goes first.

LOVE my polar watch - it is definitely more reliable than the machines! and i like the self fit test. i take it every now and again and it is nice to see how i improve (based on the max/min calculation changes each time!)

The F4 has a strap too. I was weary about it but I honestly don't feel it. And Justin, the straps come with. I've upgraded to an F6 and totally worth it!

oh oh oh!! I just bought the F4 Yesterday online.. so am waiting for it!! but do you really trust what it says? is it reliable?

ok this sucks i want one but cant afford it right now bugger might have to check out tm (nz ebay type thing) might get lucky and pick it up cheap as mmmm

unless someone is upgrading and wants to send me their old one