Tech + Gadgets

Heart Rate Monitor – Watch

This is a piece of equipment crucial to P90X and to making sure you lose weight.  I had never really gotten into using a heart rate monitor before, but to be honest with you, if you do not have one then YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE.  The market is saturated with heart monitors, so to pick the right one is a pretty daunting task.  I spent number of hours researching the type of monitor that would be right for me.  And when I thought I had found the right one, I bought it, took it for a test spin, and returned it for another.  This cycle occurred a few times before I found the one I liked.

I finally went with the Sportline S7 for a number of reasons listed below.  It’s not a very cool looking watch…but to get a cool-looking heart rate monitor watch you’d be dishing out $300…and, being the I first time user of a heart rate monitor I didn’t know if I was ready for that investment.  Either way, the Sportline S7 does the job, and does it well, for under $35.

PRODUCT NOTES:

• No extra chest strap or additional monitoring device needed.
• Feels good on the wrist
• Simple one button heart rate checker (though you do have to hold the button down for a bit to get the reading).
• Works even while sweating – this can be an issue with these type of watches but the  Sportline S7 does a very good job.

Heart Rate Monitor – Chest Strap

Once you’re ready to invest in a more expensive piece of equipment – start to check out the more advanced heart rate monitor watches. Though they can record information like route, time, elevation, and heart rate…most of them need extra external devices to actually measure these results. So, do your research and see which watch will work best for you…if you feel like this is the route for you.

You see, you don’t have to buy a watch (I went with the MotoACTV for a number of reasons) if you don’t want to. The Wahoo Blue HR Heart Rate Monitor works with a number of watches and your iPhone4s or iPhone5. I personally like this option for the times my watch isn’t charged or I just don’t feel like wearing a watch…but I do highly recommend where the watch on runs…but more on this on a later date.

PRODUCT NOTES:

• Bluetooth compatible!
• Works great with the iPhone5 and the MotoACTV.
• Comes with a free iPhone App to keep track of workouts.
• Does not lose connectivity while running under power lines.
• Comfortable fit on chest.
• Does not waste batter while not in use – if the strap in not attached to monitor the device turns off…so you don’t have to remember to turn of the device which can save a lot of battery.
• Batteries – everyday-easy-to-find watch batteries.
• Easy to clean.

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