Review of 9 models of heart rate monitors and sports watches: which ones to choose and why

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Natalie Vesna 10/28/2020

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If you want to better monitor your overall physiological capacity, you need to closely monitor your heart rate. Experience has shown that this can best be done using a chest heart rate monitor. In our review, we will help you choose the best chest heart rate monitor.

Why a chest heart rate monitor and not a smart watch or bracelet?

A heart rate monitor is a device that measures a person’s heart rate in real time. It is used during training and is necessary for practicing various sports disciplines:

• crossfit;
• fitness;
• power training;
• martial arts;
• run;
• skis;
• other sports.

In this case, preference should be given to the chest device. There are three main reasons for this.

• The chest heart rate monitor does not interfere with exercise. For example, a smartwatch bracelet with the function of measuring heart rate and other biometric parameters of the human body can get caught on projectiles during training with free weights or cause injury during martial arts training.
• Reliability. We have already said that the gadget can get caught on sports equipment. During such engagement it may break. But this is very often an expensive thing. A device designed to be attached to the chest is much less likely to fail during training.
• More accurate readings. The watch's heart rate sensors are located on the wrist. It is far enough away from the heart that not every heartbeat can be read by the device. Chest devices are attached to the chest, that is, in close proximity to the heart muscle. This allows them to accurately and timely read all its abbreviations and not distort the information.

Chest heart rate monitors are usually cheaper than smartwatches because they do not have any additional functions such as receiving calls on a smartphone or viewing SMS messages. They are designed for one single purpose: accurate heart rate measurement.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a device? Here are a few main parameters.

• Functional. The simplest devices can only measure your pulse. More sophisticated ones can be connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone, configured through a special application, and keep statistics of your sports activities.
• Convenience. It is important that the purchased gadget is ergonomic and that it is convenient to use. Otherwise, you will experience discomfort during training and will not fully enjoy it.
• Manufacturer. Today, the market offers both devices from famous brands and nameless Chinese products. Let’s say right away that there is no big difference between them. All gadgets cope with their tasks equally well. True, in a number of cases, the “Chinese” may differ in slightly lower quality.
• Price. The optimal choice is a device in the mid-price category. On the one hand, it will not have an inflated price due to “branding” and will not require overpayment. On the other hand, you can be sure of acceptable quality and sufficient reliability.

conclusions

When choosing a heart rate monitor for home use, it is important to remember the following:

• Manufacturers offer finger, chest and wrist devices for purchase, so you should decide in advance on the most suitable option for yourself;
• You should pay attention to such indicators as the range of measurement of pulse rate and saturation, as well as the measurement error;
• Information about the weight and dimensions of the device, the availability of useful additional options, materials used and equipment will not be superfluous.

DFC W227Q

DFC W227Q is a compact, simple Chinese-made heart rate monitor without additional functions. The device is inexpensive - from 3,000 to 4,000 rubles. A distinctive feature of this model is its fairly high measurement accuracy: the statistical measurement error of the DFC W227Q is close to zero.

The DFC W227Q runs on a CR3032 battery. The gadget can be connected to a smartphone or tablet using the built-in Bluetooth module to control it via a mobile application. The application allows you to view the device readings in real time, as well as record them and store them in the cell phone’s memory. This is very convenient for trainers: they can monitor the athlete’s performance directly during his training and stop training in a timely manner in case of health risks.

The DFC W227Q is secured to the torso with an adjustable elastic strap. The adjustment is quite wide - the device is suitable for those with a torso with a diameter of 60 to 105 centimeters. This makes the DFC W227Q suitable for use by both men, women or teenagers.

Low cost and reliability made the DFC W227Q popular and provided it with good user reviews.

DFC W227Q

Garmin HRM-Tri

Garmin HRM-Tri is a more advanced device, which is also produced in China. Unlike the previous participant in our rating, it is waterproof, which allows it to be used during swimming.

In addition to heart rate, Garmin HRM-Tri measures a number of other characteristics:

• time of contact with the ground when running;
• vertical vibrations.

The device also connects to a smartphone. The ANT+ wireless protocol is used for this. However, this model does not need a smartphone to record statistics - it has its own built-in memory. It stores all reports of body performance during exercise over the past few days. You can access them using your smartphone or tablet.

Beurer

A famous company founded back in 1919. It is famous for its health products (blood monitors, electric blankets, thermometer, etc.), but today we are interested in a heart rate monitor for running on the arm. The German company has deservedly received love and trust from users around the world. Manufacturers produce exclusively high-quality and reliable products at affordable prices.

Speaking about the Beurer heart rate monitor, it can be noted that you can find out your indicators by touching the touch screen of the gadget. It is designed for running or walking. Also, with it you will know at any time the number of steps taken, fat burned and calories lost. In addition, the device is equipped with an alarm clock, stopwatch and calendar. And its water resistance allows you to exercise in the rain or in the water. Price – 4000 rub.

Pros:

• Waterproof;
• Multifunctionality;
• Accuracy of indicators.

Minuses:

• You can find out your pulse only by interrupting your workout.

SUUNTO Smart Sensor

SUUNTO is a well-known Finnish company that produces various products for athletes, tourists and travelers under its own brand. Among its products are heart rate monitors. One of them is SUUNTO Smart Sensor. It is simple, convenient and practical. SUUNTO Smart Sensor does not have any additional functions - it only measures heart rate, and does it quite accurately.

You can find out the heart rate monitor readings in two ways:

• by connecting it via Bluetooth to a proprietary mobile application developed by SUUNTO;
• by connecting the gadget via Bluetooth to a SUUNTO sports smartwatch.

SUUNTO Smart Sensor is available in several variations. They differ in the size of the chest strap. This allows the model to be used by people of different genders, ages, and builds.

SUUNTO Smart Sensor

Benefits of heart rate monitors

• Training safety. The device allows you to constantly monitor your pulse, preventing it from exceeding the maximum pulse (critical zone), as well as reducing the pulse, allowing you to maintain your heart rate in the desired zone.
• Training effectiveness. The heart rate monitor determines individual heart rate zones for training, both for fat burning and general strengthening. The calculation is based on the user’s personal parameters – age, gender, weight, physical fitness.
• Productivity. The device saves your workout information so you can view your total calorie burn.

Learn more about calculating heart rate zones →

Wahoo TICKR

The Wahoo TICKR is an inexpensive heart rate monitor that can be strapped to your chest, wrapped around your torso, or slung over your shoulder. The device is simple and does not have an excess of functions. It allows you to track three indicators of the human body:

• heart rate;
• analytics of movements made during classes;
• training intensity level.

The model does not have its own interface (it is limited to two LEDs that indicate whether the device is on or off). You can receive data from the gadget by connecting the device to a mobile phone or tablet using Bluetooth or ANT+ wireless protocols.

Wahoo TICKR

How to start running with a fitness bracelet

First of all, it is important to learn to understand which heart rate monitor to choose for running. This issue is resolved purely individually. However, there are some common tips on what characteristics a good fitness bracelet should have.

1. Stopwatch. When performing interval exercises, it is very important to maintain precise timing. Using a bracelet on your wrist makes this much more convenient.
2. Setting up zones. This is a function that monitors your load capacity and gives an alarm if necessary. For example, that you need to reduce the intensity of your workout.
3. Pedometer. A very convenient feature, useful even during normal walks. You also always know how many kilometers you have run and how much is left.
4. Calorie control. Especially necessary for those who run to lose weight. The result is visible immediately.

If you use the above tips when purchasing, you definitely won’t go wrong with your choice. All you have to do is configure the bracelet to suit your parameters, register in the application and you can start practicing. You are guaranteed to get a useful, interesting and effective workout.

REEBOK Pulse Steel RD-PUL-G0

REEBOK Pulse Steel RD-PUL-G0 is a chest-mounted heart rate monitor from a world-famous British company producing sportswear and equipment for those who play sports.

This heart rate monitor model includes a chest strap and a special electronic watch. There is no provision for connecting the device to a smartphone - all the necessary information is displayed on the display of the watch, which connects to the sensor via Bluetooth.

The REEBOK Pulse Steel RD-PUL-G0 has an alarm that goes off when the athlete's heart rate increases too much. The clock signals this.

An additional function of the REEBOK Pulse Steel RD-PUL-G0 is a stopwatch. This model has no other functions. The watch can be used without a sensor - for its intended purpose. It has a case of durable shockproof plastic, as well as water resistance of 100 atmospheres, which allows you to swim in it.

Adviсe

• Most heart rate monitors use rechargeable batteries. However, some use batteries the size of watch batteries, which sometimes require replacement.
• Not all heart rate monitors are waterproof. If you want to swim with a chest strap, choose one that is designed for water activities.
• To clean the monitor screen and heart rate sensors, gently wipe them with a soft cloth. To remove tough stains, first lightly dampen the cloth.
• Use warm soapy water to clean belts. Air dry the belts under the sun.

Polar H10 M-XXL

Polar H10 M-XXL is a professional heart rate monitor for sports with the ability to determine additional parameters of the human body. A distinctive feature of this model is its extreme convenience. If an athlete wears Polar H10 M-XXL, he simply does not notice it. The manufacturer managed to achieve such comfort thanks to an ergonomic adjustable belt made of soft and elastic polymer material.

In addition to heart rate, Polar H10 M-XXL calculates the total amount of fat consumed during training in grams.

The device does not have its own interface. You can access the information collected with its help by connecting the gadget to a mobile phone or tablet via Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless protocols.

Polar H10 M-XXL has built-in memory. This saves the athlete from the need to constantly record their performance in the smartphone’s memory and from constantly connecting the device to the mobile phone - they can exercise without connecting to a phone, and the data can be viewed after training.

Polar H10 M-XXL is considered one of the most accurate heart rate monitors. The device’s sensors read heartbeats in a timely manner, and the device’s software calculates their frequency without errors.

It should be noted that Polar H10 M-XXL has become the choice of many professional athletes and coaches.

The average price of this heart rate monitor model in Russian stores is only 7,000 rubles, which is quite a bit for a device equipped with such precise sensors.

Polar H10 M-XXL