Sports Watch???

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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The Doctors say I need to do more cardio work. I will be adding walking to my daily routine. I am looking for a sports watch or fitness watch that can monitor my heart rate, keep mileage, and maybe monitor a pace. Not sure what else they do.

For all you health mentors and physical fitness people, can you recommend something that is reasonable and reliable??? Reliable the key word.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I read an article on the Applewatch (sp) and they said it wouldn't do the cardio part right if you wore it over a tattoo, I believe that Apple confirmed this.
 
CREID said:
I read an article on the Applewatch (sp) and they said it wouldn't do the cardio part right if you wore it over a tattoo, I believe that Apple confirmed this.
Click to expand...

It depends on the tattoo. Any large dark tattoo on the wrist is going to mess up ALL of the watches that do heart monitoring because of the way they work. Apple was just the first device with enough exposure for that to get spread.

To answer the OPs question, it depends one a couple of questions...

1) do you really need/want the heart monitor. If so then you are looking at about $200 for any watch that does that. If you just want activity, thee is lots more options.

2) if you do want Heart rate and have an apple phone, the apple watch is perfect here as they are focusing major efforts in this area, but it is a pricy option.

If you don't have apple or don't want to spent that much, I suggest going too a sporting goods store and trying out the couple that are out there - depending on how you wear a watch, you might not find them comfortable and would be an expensive option no matter the price if you find you don't like wearing a.
 
We have the Garmin Viviosmart. They run about $120-150. Keeps track of your vitals, runs daily tracker on the amount of steps you take, sets a daily goal for you, etc. the best feature I like is the "reminder" that you haven't moved for a while. It vibrates when stationary after a while to remind you to get up and move. Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. It also tracks your sleep patterns. I'm an apple guy and want to try the apple watch next, but they are not cheap.

Here is the Vivosmart:

Garmin Vivosmart Activity Tracker Large Purple 010-01317-12 - Best Buy
 
A lot of 'gimmicks' on the market. The money for a 'sports watch' might be better invested into comfortable shoes/sneakers for walking/jogging, and then use the 'finger method' to check pulse rate. Place finger over pulse point, count pulse for 10seconds and then multiply that by 6...BINGO! You pulse is "____" per minute!

If your just wanting a nifty new gadget(I like nifty and new gadgets too), iFit might be what you're looking for?





Scott (I'd rather have the shoes) B
 
My younger son is something of a fitness freak (at least, more so than his old man), and his older brother gave him a 'Fitbit' activity tracker this past Christmas. Depending on the model you get, it can probably do whatever you need.

On the reliability point - the Fitbit comes with a rubberized plastic wristband (similar to those colored bands that various charities use). Yesterday, Jeff mentioned that the band on his Fitbit had worn out (in less that five months), and that replacements are sold in packages of three.

I can understand wearout, but selling replacement parts in bulk quantities suggests that the manufacturer is following the Gillette strategy - put a low price on the base product, and make your money on the disposables.
 
My son is in the USAF security forces and chose the "Fitbit" I believe. A lot of people in his squadron use them and it has been well received.
 
Oh boy, is this an open ended question very near and dear to my heart.......
First , what do you want it to do other than monitor your heart? If that is all, you can buy an entry level Polar for about $40 at Big 5 when they are on sale. Nothing fancy but very reliable, been around for years. Good thing about Polar is that most gym cardio equipment will talk to your unit and read out HR.
I've used Garmin's for years for my racing, but they do a whole lot more than HR, and can cost upwards of $500.
If you want more, the sky's the limit. Wear a HR monitor during your normal daily routine and see what kind of shape you are in...or not in.
If you really want to do it right, buy one that you can at least download the daily results to your PC so you can see progress over time.
FitBit is the latest craze. About $100 for entry level. Downloadable as well. Never used one but folks I know who have speak highly of them.
A great app for your phone is "My Fitness Pal". Very easy to use and will tell you things you really don't want to know...like that donut you just ate is 500 calories, 70 gr of carbs, and a ton of sugar. Match that up against what you "should" be eating and your jaw will drop. This app keeps track of everything you put into it for as long as you want. Sets goals for you and very revealing info that will make you go Holy s**t.
If there's an REI near you, they have a great selection and most of the folks there specialize in one area or another and can steer you in the right direction for what your needs are.
 

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Unfortunately this did not happen as of now. But I just got another kick in the rear from the doctors so I figured being Christmas holiday sales there is no better time than now to get one. If anyone still wants to weigh in here please do so. I have to actually get out to the stores but will do a little cyber research first. Thanks all.
 
Timex digital heart rate monitors are 75 to 100 but you need to wear a elastic band around your chest. (not as bad as it sounds ) and the rest of the time you have a great watch.

I was given a $150.00 fitbit for my birthday and it does not need the belt but it does not do all the timex does which will.
 
wristbands

monophoto said:
My younger son is something of a fitness freak (at least, more so than his old man), and his older brother gave him a 'Fitbit' activity tracker this past Christmas. Depending on the model you get, it can probably do whatever you need.

On the reliability point - the Fitbit comes with a rubberized plastic wristband (similar to those colored bands that various charities use). Yesterday, Jeff mentioned that the band on his Fitbit had worn out (in less that five months), and that replacements are sold in packages of three.

I can understand wearout, but selling replacement parts in bulk quantities suggests that the manufacturer is following the Gillette strategy - put a low price on the base product, and make your money on the disposables.
Click to expand...

hello
Can you tell me that exactly of which material this wristbands are made of ???
Thanks
 
I have an old Fitbit Charge that I wear daily. If you want heartrate move on up to a fancier Fitbit. They will do everything you need.

Next step up IMO is something like a Garmin watch. I like to run and my wife got me a Garmin Forerunner 225 for Christmas last year and I love it! It tracks mileage, steps, cadence, heart rate, pace, overall time, etc. You can even set up training plans and download them to the watch or set the watch in hear rate mode if you want to stay in a target heart rate range. May be a bit overkill for the everyday walker/exerciser but it is a good all around fitness tracker/watch.
 
I recommend a Garmin watch. They have a lot models from the Vivio style to many styles of running watches. I have a 225 but you have to wear an HRM. I like tracking my data on the puter. You get fairly good deals by Googling the Garmin outlet store.
Good luck.
 
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