Heart rate monitor

[CompluterSaysNo]

Hi - I've finally completed couch to 5K (and actually managed to run 5k in 30mins after being stuck at 4k for about a year!)

I'd now like to work on running faster 5k and have read about heart rate monitor training (which appeals to me) but I don't want to wear a chest strap or spend more than about £50.

I would like a relatively simple watch that I can run with and glance at to know I'm in the right HR zone.

If there's a free app that tells you to run faster/slow down/speed up etc (like couch to 5K) that would be great but I'd like to keep cost down as times are hard.

Can anyone recommend something that isn't too fiddly or expensive?

Thank you!

Get a garment forerunner. They have loads of coaching programs designed to make you run faster

Something on your wrist will never tell your heart rate with as much accuracy as a chest strap.

I have a Garmin Forerunner and a generic HRM on a chest strap, for zone 2 training specifically. I wouldn't bother zone 2 training if i were just relying on the watch, it can be wildly out...

I dont even notice the chest strap, it just goes under my bra strap.

I hate chest straps and bought a Polar OH10 for my arm. It hooks up to my rowing app for heart rate training as well as having its own app. It also can hook onto goggles for swimming.

Thanks for the replies! Yes I really don't fancy a chest strap and I don't need super accuracy. The Garmins are too expensive but I'll look at the Polar 10 thanks!

I tested 2 chest straps (Garmin, Polar) against my Fitbit (optical monitor) all worn simultaneously: the heart rates were within (very maximum) 7% of each other's values. No consistent bias, not always over or above each other, often very close to each other. Which was close enough for me. I feel that optical (wrist) monitors are accurate enough, for me anyway.

You can pick up a 2nd hand Fitbit Charge 3, 4 or 5 easily within your budget that will show heart rate on the face, on Ebay.

Thanks very much for this. The Fitbit Charge looks good. The Fitbit inspire 3 is a bit cheaper (only a little out of budget! But I'm leaning towards buying one).

Thanks for your help!