Best Reviewed
Heart Rate Monitors
- Best heart rate monitor Timex Ironman Race Trainer *Est. $150
- Heart rate monitor for serious athletes Polar FT60 *Est. $180
- Budget heart rate monitor Polar FT1 *Est. $60
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Best heart rate monitor
- Available in two sizes
- Accurate
- Includes lap timer, target workout zones and history
- Complicated to program
- Display is hard to read when mounted on a bike
Experts say the Timex Ironman Race Trainer is a great heart rate monitor that covers all the basics without costing an arm and a leg. The included chest strap is comfortable to wear, and it wirelessly transmits data to the accompanying wristwatch to provide a continuous heart-rate reading. It comes in full- and mid-sized versions to suit men and women, and reviewers say it has plenty of features for the price. In addition to heart rate, the Ironman Race Trainer tracks calories burned. It also includes target workout zones, lap and split timers and a 10-workout history. Accuracy is very good, and reviewers like the optional USB accessory that wirelessly uploads workout data to a computer. However, some say the unit is difficult to program and the display is hard to read while riding a bicycle. If you need more features, including a customized workout program, reviews say the Polar FT60 (*Est. $180) is worth a look.
The Timex Ironman Race Trainer is covered by a number of sources, including in group tests conducted by The New York Times, Women's Health magazine and the Tampa Bay Times. In addition, Outside magazine has a brief review, where the unit makes the list of gear editors can't do without. We also found a good number of owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.
| Timex Ironman Men's Race Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch, Black/Grey, Full Size | |
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Our Sources
Testers for The New York Times say they find the Timex Ironman Race Trainer a little difficult to set up. However, once the watch is programmed, the monitor works well for measuring intervals and laps.
Review: Marathon Tech Review: Watches, Danielle Belopotosky, Aug. 18, 2009
BikeRadar.com reviews the Timex Ironman Race Trainer from a cyclist's perspective. Nik Cook says the heart rate monitor is a "great value," and he reports good performance throughout his testing period. However, he says the small display is hard to read when attached to a bike mount.
Review: Timex Ironman Race Trainer Kit Heart Rate Monitor Review, Nik Cook, March 3, 2010
The Tampa Bay Times recommends the Timex Ironman Race Trainer in this overview of heart-rate training. Terry Tomalin says it is "slightly more sophisticated" than many heart rate monitors, and testers like that the optional USB dongle transfers workout data.
Review: Heart Rate Monitor Provides Scientific Feedback for Any Fitness Goal, Terry Tomalin, March 12, 2011
4. Outside MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Outside magazine names the Timex Ironman Race Trainer to its 2010 Life List, a collection of "gear we can't live without." Editors say this heart rate monitor is useful for keeping track of workout data, and the fact that it includes a stopwatch is another plus.
Review: Timex Ironman Race Trainer Watch, Justin Nyberg and Sam Moulton, Sept. 7, 2010
5. Women's Health magazineDetails/Subscribe
Women's Health magazine also recommends the Timex Ironman Race Trainer. Editors say they particularly like the kit version, which comes with a USB dongle to wirelessly upload workout data to a computer.
Review: Heart Rate Monitors, Editors of Women's Health, Not Dated
6. Amazon.com
The full-size version of the Timex Ironman Race Trainer has a 4-star rating at Amazon.com from around 50 reviews. Most users are very happy with the watch, saying it provides a good variety of features while costing much less than a GPS sports watch. However, a few users have complaints about its durability.
Review: Timex Ironman Men's Race Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch, Black/Grey, Full Size, Contributors to Amazon.com
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