Spec me a Gym/Running Watch with HR

Jase · 24 Jun 2015 at 15:45

I'm starting back in the Gym tonight and would like a watch for heart rate etc.

A few years ago I had a Polar watch with a Heart Rate strap that went around the chest. It's wasn't anything special but it worked with the equipment in the gym and also allowed you to upload data onto their website to track progress. Unfortunately I seem to have broken that trying to change a battery so looking for a replacement.

It mainly going to used during running, cycling and some weights.

I don't have a price in mind but dont really want to pay £500 for an Apple Watch.. also not sure if I need GPS, I never had it last time but maybe it would keep me entertained during outdoor running/cycling.

Unfortunately I did my knee in on a recent trip to snowdon so I'm restricted by what I can do for a few weeks when it comes to impact on the knee

PermaBanned · 24 Jun 2015 at 17:08

You can get a Garmin Vivofit with HR for about £60. No experience with it personally but i'd be interested to hear people's recommendations. Fitbit seems to be the big thing at the moment, but that's a bit more expensive.

Jon33 · 24 Jun 2015 at 17:28

I'd recommend the TomTom Runner. Can be had for around £100. Various options available with/without heart strap (I think a slightly more expensive one doesn't even need the strap for measured your heart rate).

I've got one and I quite like the features it offers such as race mode where you can set a time/distance and you essential race. Tells you have far left to run and how far/ahead you are of the "other person". Keeps me going anyways, can't be getting beat off a watch!

Jase · 24 Jun 2015 at 18:19

Thanks for the replies and some nice ideas.

The TomTom looks really good but seems to be made just for running and and although that will be a big part of it I really want something that would cover a wider range of activities.

I've had a look on the Fitbit site and that looks pretty good, the top of the range is £199 and has a HR monitor built in. It seems like a reasonable price for the features - it would be handy if it worked with the gym equipment but I guess it wont.

I'll wait to see if there are any more suggestions but so far out of that list the Fitbit is looking favourable.

Jon33 · 24 Jun 2015 at 23:34

The TomTom do a multisport version which comes with cadence/speed sensors for your bike and some attachment for the handlebars. I didn't really look at that version much as I have a garmin for the bike but might be worth a gander!

Supercow · 25 Jun 2015 at 09:10

Might as well ask here. Are there any wearables, thats not a smartwatch, that has GPS tracking?

The Microsoft band comes the closest, but is still not quite what I want. Ideal world, it would be a Jawbone up3 (or similar), that you can ad-hoc switch on the GPS tracking and export the GPS file. https://jawbone.com/store/buy/up3

uv · 25 Jun 2015 at 11:11

I've got this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tomtom-multi-sport-cardio-gps-watch-inc-free-sensor-pack/

For £200 it's a bargain package for multisport users - comes with internal HRM, external HRM (for when the watch is mounted on your bike), cadence and speed sensor, and bike handlebar mount. There's an Android app for synchronising data (although that's only started working in the last couple of days).

Have used it for running, cycling, and tracking heartrate whilst on a stationary rower.

Jase · 25 Jun 2015 at 11:45

That TomTom looks pretty good.

I used to like the Polar watch and would be tempted to get another like the M400 but they all need the chest strap from what I can see and it would be nice to avoid that.

lordrobs · 1 Jul 2015 at 13:13

Supercow said:
Might as well ask here. Are there any wearables, thats not a smartwatch, that has GPS tracking?

The Microsoft band comes the closest, but is still not quite what I want. Ideal world, it would be a Jawbone up3 (or similar), that you can ad-hoc switch on the GPS tracking and export the GPS file. https://jawbone.com/store/buy/up3

Bit of a thread revival but the Fitbit Surge has GPS tracking.

meandu229 · 1 Jul 2015 at 13:29

I love my microsoft band but it is lacking in 1 or 2 places. Most complete band/watch at the moment though I think.

ronski · 1 Jul 2015 at 16:38

I have been a long term user of various suunto models. I particularly like the movescount website to record and track everything. It is well done and the actual watches have always been reliable.

BIGWEB · 7 Aug 2015 at 14:47

Ive been using a Fitbit surge for just over a month. Its a massive motivator and monitors your calorie burn pretty accurately.

I wish it was a bit smaller as its not the best looking thing but I've hardly taken it off for a month which means i'm not wearing my 'nice' watches for meetings etc.

I think the next generation of these wearables will be great as they are likely to be smaller and have more accurate HR monitors.

Jase · 7 Aug 2015 at 15:28

BIGWEB said:
Ive been using a Fitbit surge for just over a month. Its a massive motivator and monitors your calorie burn pretty accurately.

I wish it was a bit smaller as its not the best looking thing but I've hardly taken it off for a month which means i'm not wearing my 'nice' watches for meetings etc.

I think the next generation of these wearables will be great as they are likely to be smaller and have more accurate HR monitors.

The size is what put me off the Surge otherwise it ticked the boxes.

I agree the next generation of watches should be much better, the apple watch is a good indication of how they could look but it's just not a finished product at the moment with poor battery life etc etc.