exercise heart rate monitors

Hi: i would like to purchase an exercise heart rate monitor to wear during exercise; however, i am not sure if or how the device would interfer with my pm. i’m an avid gym rate and do cardio at least 4-6 times per week. In the past, pre-pm- i’ve relied on the monitors attached to the cardio equipment: treadmill; eliptical; or life cycle. And if adviseable, any suggestion with regard to product or brand?

7 Comments

interference

by Tracey_E - 2009-06-03 04:06:31

The monitor will not interfere with your device, but the pm may interfere with the monitor. You'll just have to try them out and see what, if anything, works for you. I've tried the Polar that integrates with the equipment at the gym and it always tells me I have no pulse. Other members have the opposite problem, the monitor picks up the pulse as well as the pm spikes so the count isn't accurate. If you pace every beat, it'll tell you your rate is double. It all depends on your device and the technology in the monitor. If you do a search of the old posts here, electric frank does a wonderful explanation of the different technologies. Bottom line is very few of us have had any luck with this.

The only one I've been able to get a reading with- and I've tested everything they carry at Sports Authority, REI, Cabelas and a high end running specialty story- is the hrm ring from Brookstone because it uses infrared. But it works on averages so it's not much use while working out.

Anyway, I just go by how I feel and learned to do without a monitor. If I feel funny, I stop and check my pulse. Not ideal, but the best I've been able to come up with. Good luck finding something!

Polar

by E from Spain - 2009-06-04 02:06:12

Hi,

I'm doing lots of outdoor sports and I'm using a Polar AXN500 without any problem.

Anyway, As TraceyE says, I would try the monitor and test if your PM is interfering with the HR monitor before buying it.

By the way my PM is a Medtronic Kappa KDR 703

take care,

thanks for the feedback

by northis - 2009-06-05 10:06:38

thanks everyone for for feedback and insite. i will try the polar and just be aware of the possibility of interference. Thank you for the support and kindness
sam

Kim

by Tracey_E - 2009-06-08 07:06:29

It's likely that the monitor was inaccurate. The monitors do not hurt the pm, but the pm often interferes with the monitor's accuracy. The best thing to do when you suspect it's off it to count it yourself.

And when you have a pm/icd what's normal for you is no longer what's considered normal for your age. Just go with how you feel. If you feel good, you're working out at the right pace.

Funny, first thing I did was put my Polar on

by COBradyBunch - 2009-06-25 10:06:55

Funny thing is after I was very suddenly put on a PM due to syncope bradycardia with long pauses as I slept the first thing I did when I got home was put on my Polar and start monitoring to see how much I dropped below 60 when I slept. My PM is set to fire at 50 and the second night home I had 58 seconds below 60. Tonight I will look for below 55 and so on. Should be an interesting little experiment. Also have a hike planned for later this week so I plan on getting my aerobic (and occasional anerobic) excercising going ASAP. At 50 I plan on managing this issue, not letting it manage me.

Some work, Some don't

by schmerl - 2009-06-28 02:06:54

I also was often measuring HR during exercise. I find some work and some don't. None affect my PM but I am non-dependent. The Polar that came with our Precor elliptical works great. Other cheapos, even with chest strap were unreliable. I find most that claim to work without a chest strap do not work at all for me. Try them in the store.

Hikers, may I suggest a trekking pole. The last thing you need is a little dizziness on a trail and face planting downhill into rocks. My 75 yr odl friend did just that for 14 stitches. NOW, he believes me about the trekking poles....

Polar

by COBradyBunch - 2009-06-29 10:06:37

Although I have only had my little buddy for about a week now I have been using my Polar to keep track of my HR. While haven't put more exercise than walking on it yet it seems to be working great. Only time I got funky reading was when I had the watch portion down by my laptop. Have been using it to monitor HR during sleep and it seems to work fine (my issue is bradycardia mostly during sleep so I like to see when I drop below 50 bpm during sleep, my PM is set to kick in at 40 bpm)

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