Heart rate monitor watch

[LakeFlyPie]

I'd like to measure my heart rate whilst exercising but don't want to wear a chest band (nor spend a fortune!)
Which is the best low ish budget HR watch available?
TIA

[ivykaty44]

How are you going to pick up your heart rate without a strap?

[LakeFlyPie]

I thought some of the watches picked it up from wrist contact eg Fitbit / Garmin etc but I'm hoping for a cheaper option (I don't need all of the activity tracking functions, just HR)

[Statelychangers]

I have a Charge HR Fitbit, it's not accurate for much. The HR bit loses it when I run....not very impressed with that. The calorie count is way off too. IMO it just bit of fun really - it encourages me to move a bit more but for any kind of useful training info, you probably need a Garmin.

[lljkk]

Why do you want to measure your HR? I mean, is that for training or activity or calories or what?

I wanted HR as indicator of effort. I use the info in loads of ways, but maybe those aren't important to you.

[LakeFlyPie]

I'd like to see how my HR compares to my perceived exertion whilst exercising (mostly classes - BodyPump etc and some cycling / cross trainer).
I'm not prone to pushing myself so thought it'd be helpful to guide me.

[WhimsicalWinnifred]

I read an article that said fit bits are extremely unreliable during running or any exertion. I think most of them are the same. I'm really wanted to find something. I tend to stop for 15 seconds and count then x 4 but that's shit

[Feckinlego]

I saw one in sports direct the other day for a tenner.

[ivykaty44]

Lake

Your pulse will not be the same in both wrists

I would just get a watch and strap, they give a far superior HR reading which is accurate. The straps are fine to wear with a sports top/bra and you really don't notice they are there

[lljkk]

I thought a new Fitbit is like £60, and there are polar HRMs for similar price, & you pay a lot less if you find a slightly used one on Ebay.

[user1469381679]

TomTom runner is the best thing I've ever bought! Can track HR while cycling running gym & swimming! I love it!

[MrsMook]

I was recommended a chest strap at the running shop. The Polar one is quite soft and slim so doesn't argue too much with a sports bra.

[AwakeCantSleep]

I've got the Garmin vivosmart HR. Waterproof so works in the pool. I'm really happy with it. Not really a low budget option (£120) but it works very well, syncs well to my phone, and only needs charging once a week on average.

It appears to measure very accurately as well. I did a stress ECG on an exercise bike recently. My Garmin wrist heart rate measurements very closely matched the ECG heart rate measurements.

[Tote]

TomTom Cardio Music. Not cheap but has the heart rate monitor in the wrist strap. Has a GPS monitor built in (doesn't need a phone) to monitor distances when running. Can race yourself using data from previous exercise sessions and can store music which you can use a set of bluetooth headphones with. Oh and it's waterproof for swimming.

There will always be differences between different devices, but the main thing is that you use the same one regularly then you are comparing like with like.

I had a chest strap which was good (Polar Flow), but much prefer the wrist based monitor I have now.

It's not cheap though! To save money go with just the TomTom Cardio and not the TomTom Cardio Music.

The devices are also called TomTom Sparc in some markets.

[LakeFlyPie]

Thanks for all of the replies, lots to consider and no doubt I'll spend more than I planned to!

[Zame]

Just chipping in to say I have a charge hr, up until now it's been good but recently doesn't track heart rate anywhere near accurately. Did a spin class this morning and apparantly my heart rate barely increased during it I'll be either buying a chest strap or saving up for a garmin