Road Cycling - What features do I need in a heart rate monitor?

On Sunday, I completed certification class for teaching indoor cycling. We used heart rate monitors quite a bit. Now I want to buy one for myself. I am a recreational roadie, but I do like structured training rides. I doubt if I'll ever be racing, but I want to become the best rider I can be. With that in mind, what features do I NEED in a heart rate monitor? If possible I would like to keep the price under about US$100.

Thanks,

Rich

other than the basics of exercise time and current hear rate reading, you may want to make sure that it tells you how long you've been in a certain heart rate zone, which is where the real benefit of heart rate monitor training lies.

however, that feature may cost you slightly more than $100.

If you're going to be teaching, at the very least, get a continuous read heart rate monitor- a basic one will cost you about $35.

If you want a monitor that will average out your heart rate during your ride and display it at the end of your ride, plus at the same time, give a continuous read, there are a number of heart rate monitors out there. There are heart rate monitors that will also allow you to set your high heart rate and lower heart rate zones too.

It's difficult to say what you're looking for without knowing what you want. If you go to www.heartzone.com and click on the monitor button, it will pull up a lot of different monitors out there, and you can do a comparison on the different heart rate monitors. Maybe you could even buy one there too.

I'm surprised your certification didn't go through the different types of heart rate monitors out there.... then again, I mis-speak. I'm not really surprised. Most of them talk about heart rate training, but then don't help you to find out where you can get them, much less tell you how to work the advanced features on the majority of the ones they would recommend. :(

Congrats on your certification. Which one did you go for?

Koffee

As a P.S., a lot of the monitors out there are under $100 and will give you advanced features. Just keep in mind, the more features you want, the more it's gonna cost you, that's all...

Koffee

Whoops, as a P.P.S., you will DEFINITELY need a stopwatch and a clock on your watch too- the clock will be for the classes you teach where they don't have a clock in the room, or the clock is behind you and you don't want to constantly turning around and looking up to get the time so you can end your classes on time. The stopwatch will be for your interval training and to structure the class workouts better.

Koffee

in addition, althought i have two of them (which work great), POLAR HRMs don't allow you to change batteries on your watch or chest transmitter. the watch requires you to have an authorized dealer do the job so as not to void the warranty and when the transmitter on the chest strap is finished, you basically need to buy a new one. i've had both for a couple of years and haven't had to deal with it yet, but it may be something you will want to consider.

I splurged on the M91Ti just because it looked good, so I'm committed to sticking with it for the money I shelled out.

...and yes, koffee is absolutely correct...continuous read is important!

it really helps during my marathon and adventure race training.

last, but not least...congrats on your certification!!!

It's difficult to say what you're looking for without knowing what you want. If you go to www.heartzone.com and click on the monitor button, it will pull up a lot of different monitors out there, and you can do a comparison on the different heart rate monitors. Maybe you could even buy one there too.

That site is very helpful. They sell the Sports Instruments Fit 2 for $79. It has a number of functions that cost a lot more with Polar. It also has the time-in-the-zone feature that Jedi_rider mentioned. Does anyone have an opinion of the Sports Instruments brand?



Congrats on your certification. Which one did you go for?

Thanks, Koffee. The certification was through the Schwinn Fitness Academy. It was a very inspiring day. The trainer was excellent. She presented the material well and throughout the nine hours of training she was never boring and she was always stoked. If you remember from an earlier thread, I was concerned about music. She handled how to select and use music really well. She really worked our butts there, but to my surprise rather than feeling worn out the next day, I got right on my bike in the morning and did a fast 40 miles on the road. :)

Rich

All right, Rich!

Are you going to be able to figure out how to do the mind/body cycling classes? If so, drop me a line, I have some books for you to take a look at. I'm sure you'll do well anyway, since you also teach yoga!

I heard the Sports Instrument is good- people I know who bought them have no complaints as of yet. If I hear anything negative, I'll let you know, but I can say that if it's on the Heart Zones site, it has to be good- they would never endorse junk.

Koffee