Heart rate monitor or no heart rate monitor, which should I get?

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  • registered

    tim_h

    Member since 10/06/2016.

    1 post. Last post 7 years ago.
    7 years ago 10/06/2016 3:18pm EDT

    I’m in the market for a new GPS running watch since my Forerunner 210 died, and I’m stuck between the Forerunner 230 and 235. My biggest thing is I don’t know if I need or want the HR monitor on the 235. I’ve never had one before and never used heart rate in my workouts. Part of me wants to get the 235 just because it has that feature, even though I don’t know how much I would use it.

    Here’s a little about me as a runner so you can help me decide. I’m 40 years old and consider myself a casual/recreational runner. I run 3 or 4 times per week between 3 and 6 miles because I like to stay fit and I enjoy running. I run an occasional race; mostly 5k but I have done 10 milers and a half marathon. I like to keep track of my miles, but I don’t do a whole lot of analysis with the data.

    So what do you think? Should I go for the 235 with the HR monitor for about $80 more or go with the 230 that has all the same features except HR tracking?

    Thanks.

  • itdepends

    Anonymous Poster

    7 years ago 10/06/2016 3:51pm EDT
    re: tim_h

    No right answer here.

    But it sounds like you are somewhat curious about HR training. If that is the case, get the 235. You can choose to turn the HR on and play with the data, or leave it off.

    I personally really like HR for 80 percent or so of my runs. So, mostly the easy and long runs. It is great for keeping things easy, and it is also fun to check how your fitness has improved as your easy paces go up, but your HR stays the same or goes down.

    I don't use it for any fartlek or interval sessions as a wrist based HR read is never accurate for changes. It's good for steady state, so easy pace on up to about tempo. At least that's how mine works.

  • Don't bother

    Anonymous Poster

    7 years ago 10/06/2016 3:58pm EDT
    re: tim_h

    I have an HR monitor in my Garmin 225 but don't bother with it. I have the screen disabled so I can't see it. It is meaningless once you accept that effort does not correlate with HR. Just run as per how you feel....hard, easy, etc. If it feel easy but your heart rate is 175, it's still easy. If it feels hard and your HR is at 137, it's still hard. Your body knows best, learn to listen to it.Frankly, after this watch dies, I don't think I'll buy another GPS device. I don't even really pay attention to distance anymore.

    tim_h wrote:

    I’m in the market for a new GPS running watch since my Forerunner 210 died, and I’m stuck between the Forerunner 230 and 235. My biggest thing is I don’t know if I need or want the HR monitor on the 235. I’ve never had one before and never used heart rate in my workouts. Part of me wants to get the 235 just because it has that feature, even though I don’t know how much I would use it.

    Here’s a little about me as a runner so you can help me decide. I’m 40 years old and consider myself a casual/recreational runner. I run 3 or 4 times per week between 3 and 6 miles because I like to stay fit and I enjoy running. I run an occasional race; mostly 5k but I have done 10 milers and a half marathon. I like to keep track of my miles, but I don’t do a whole lot of analysis with the data.

    So what do you think? Should I go for the 235 with the HR monitor for about $80 more or go with the 230 that has all the same features except HR tracking?

    Thanks.

  • registered

    Luv2Run

    Member since 01/11/2003.

    22,257 posts. Last post 1 year ago.
    7 years ago 10/06/2016 8:00pm EDT
    re: tim_h

    Is there a big price difference? If not get the HRM, better to have it and not use it than to decide later you might like to.

    That said, HR is a tricky thing to use in training. If you do not think you would ever use then skip it.

    If you decide to do the later, I will take 50% of what you saved as a consulting fee.

  • Blah Blah.

    Anonymous Poster

    7 years ago 10/06/2016 8:20pm EDT
    re: tim_h

    Most persons who get GPSs do not use the HRM feature. Are you different from most runners?

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