Heart Rate Monitor Reviews

Polar Heart Rate Monitors

The Polar corporate website lists more than 30 heart rate monitor models, ranging from the basic Polar FS1 (with a recommended retail price of $69.59) to the Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D ($709.95) - which combines heart rate monitoring and power output measurement for cyclists.

Prevention magazine tested a range of heart rate monitors and presented a chart (pdf file) of its seven favorites. One was the Polar M61 (left), about which it said:

The chest strap is the most flexible and adjustable; it fit snugly even on small-size testers.

Best Splurge - This monitor ranked highest for accuracy and fit.

Runners World tested seven heart rate monitors (no longer online) costing less than $150. One was the Polar FS2. It said:

Superlight (1.6 oz.) with extra-large digits, the FS2 is easy to read when racing or just working out. A single button keeps clutter to a minimum; you scroll through features-time, target heart-rate zones, stopwatch, and maximum and average heart rate-by pressing the button right, left, or center. It also saves past workouts. The one hitch: It's easy to mis-hit the button if running at full gallop or in gloves.

Answering a reader’s question, Outside magazine wrote:

There are lots of excellent heart-rate monitors out there, one of which is Polar's A3 ($80). This unit allows you to set target zones and receive a beep warning when you're in or out of them, in addition to basic time/heart functions…Or, you can spend a ton of money and get something like Polar's S520 ($280), which provides a link to your PC so you can set up a personal training log.

Men’s Fitness in June-July 2005 wrote:

We stopped keeping a diary at 12 years old--when our sister caught us reading it and took it back. But the people at Polar heart-rate monitors have come up with the best reason yet to confide your personal info to an inanimate object: the Polar F11. Not only does it provide accurate heart-rate readings in a fashionable watch and adjustable transmitter belt, it can actually design for you a personalized cardio program and log your progress in its special "diary" feature. Just enter your fitness goal and how much time you have to work out, and the F11 will tell you exactly when, how often, and how hard you need to work to achieve it. Wear it just once, and it will know your body better than you do.

The About website reviewed the Polar S410:

The Polar S410 heart rate monitor gives you all the info you want and the means to store it and analyze it. Toss the old calculations - this monitor measures your VO2Max, calculates your maximum heart rate and your calorie expenditure. Then you can program your own five favorite workouts with training zones, timers and recovery. You can view your heart rate as a percentage of maximum - no more math in your head when working out! Then download it all to your computer with the included sonic link and software. Because of all of these features, you have to spend some time to learn to use them. But when you do, you have a powerful tool for getting the most out of your workouts.

It also reviewed the Polar A5:

The Polar A5 heart rate monitor adds calorie expenditure and a walk fitness test to the functions of A3.  In addition to showing the heart rate and elapsed time, it displays where you are in your chosen heart rate zone and you can choose to see that number and your heart rate as a percentage of your age-based maximum heart rate.   You can also see calories expended.  When finished exercising, it shows your average heart rate and elapsed exercise time, time in zone, calories, and BMI. Track your overall fitness level with the walking fitness test.  For around $100 US, this is a great tool to own.

And the Polar A3:

The Polar A3 heart rate monitor is a step up from the basic A1.  In addition to showing the heart rate and elapsed time, it displays where you are in your chosen heart rate zone and you can choose to see that number and your heart rate as a percentage of your age-based maximum heart rate. You can also set an alarm to beep when you drop below or go above your chosen zone.  When finished exercising, it shows your average heart rate and elapsed exercise time.  If you don't want fancier features such as calories burned, timers, etc., this is a great buy and good to put on your wish list. 

* Get the Latest Prices on Polar Heart Rate Monitors.

February 27^th, 2006
Updated: November 9th, 2007 
 

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