I have a question. My husband needs to monitor his heart rate while he exercises. He would like to use something where he could download the data and see in graph form his heart rate over time during his exercise. He runs, bikes, does the eliptical and rowing machines. Any suggestions for reliable devices?
@luder16 - is there a specific reason he needs to monitor his heart rate? Any specific price range? Is he OK with a chest strap (asking because my Mr. hates them)? Asking these Qs because there are so many options out there, and accuracy and prices vary a lot.
He had an episode of Afib following a short, intense rowing workout, and was stressed getting to the hospital for a couple of cases. Following some tests, he’s been given the all-clear, but his cardiologist wants him to monitor his heart rate when exercising. He dislikes the chest strap. Cost isn’t a huge factor, while accuracy, ease of use, and ability to track results are his main concerns.
Garmin 235 or the Garmin Fenix series is wrist based HR and is quite accurate. You might get some glitches in very dry, cold weather, and some people really feel the chest strap is better, but the trade off in NOT having the chest strap is worth it.
Thanks for the info! Sorry to hear that your husband had a few scares, but glad that he had been cleared by the docs. If accuracy is important and cost is not a huge factor, I second Garmin Fenix for multi-sport activity. It is also water resistant to a certain depth.
Thank you very much MOWC & BB!
If your husband generally carries his Smart Phone when doing cardio, there is also a much lower cost ($79) option. Wahoo just came out with a hr monitor that you wear on your armk called the Tickr Fit. Wahoo has an app you down load to your phone or, for that matter, you could use Garmin’s app, both of which enable you to share the data on your computer for tracking. If your husband is not wedded to a wrist or arm debice, Wahoo also makes a hr chest strap that has onboard memory so you don’t have to carry a phone or other head unit. Put the strap on, work out, down load from the strsp’s memory to a variety of programs on your computer. The TickrX tracks hr, motion and calories. The TickrRun includes running analytics. Both are also about $79. Wahoo makes excellent products so these could be an option at a fraction of the cost of the Garmin watches that have been suggested (which are great products but may be overkill for your husband’s intended use).
So also thank you, Michael. My husband looked at all the suggested options and went for the Tickr Fit. He’s happy and so am I. Thanks to all who weighed in. I really appreciate it. I’ll let you know how it works out for him.
Congrats to all who raced Boston today! That was one tough race.
I’m bursting with pride! I finished the club’s annual 25 mile hike in just under 8 hours. No blisters and no apparent injuries. It was my first time doing it. I’ve never hiked that many miles in one day. So many hills!
That’s terrific, Midwest! You’ve really stuck with the hiking - I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
That’s excellent. @Midwest67 !
In other news, baby kid signed up for the STP. Insert terrified emoji here.
Down 110 pounds and have kept it off for over two years. Down from a size 20 to a size 2. I did it on my own by eating healthy. Cut out all the bad and only eat the good stuff. No processed foods, sugar, dairy, bread. I feel great. I have so much energy. My mantra is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Michael Pollan. It works. It’s not a diet it’s a complete lifestyle change. My taste buds have changed now and I don’t miss the junk food at all. I feel so good that I could never go back to the old way of eating. Did it for my health but all the other benefits of healthy eating are icing on the cake!
@calisunshinemom – that’s fabulous! Congrats on losing that much weight but doing it in a smart and steady way. I like that mantra – eating real food (not junk) and mostly plants. I hope you’ve treated yourself to a new wardrobe! 
This is the key. And cannot be stressed enough. Sounds very paleo. Congrats!
@calisunshinemom congratulations!
The main thing that has worked for me is to be disciplined in the grocery store and not bring home any junk at all. If it’s not in the house, I can’t eat it!
Thanks for the kind words! Posted about my journey just to let others know it can be done and to never get discouraged. @Classof2015 I bought a whole new wardrobe. Had to because none of my old clothes fit any more! Have to admit it’s a treat to be able to wear fashionable clothes now and feel good!!
Woo hoo! You deserve it!
Looks like Hoka is having a sale. I didn’t look closely but at a glance looks like some great prices.
Wanted to let this thread rest for a bit but am now bumping it up to see if there is any interest among CC posters in breathing some new life into this thread?