I need a watch for the gym...

[Zack]

Hey guys:

I'm looking for a gym watch - something that will monitor heart rate and calories burned...more features, of course, are always welcome...although who knows if I'll ever use them.

Any suggestions? Oh yeah, does one exist where I don't have to wear that stupid belt? That can't be comfortable...

Thanks!

[mortonjl]

I take it you're looking for a Suunto? T6C is their best I believe, I still use my T3 from a couple years ago, and they use a chest strap, not sure if one exists that doesn't.

[paduncan]

There are watches that exist where you don't have to wear the chest belt, but they aren't as accurate and don't offer the data that you are looking for.

I have the T6c and wear it for your reasons - HR, Calories, Training Effect, lots more.

[Jeff_C]

T3 has been my HRM of choice for years now. I love it. And they are not too expensive. If you just want it for the gym, try the t1, t3, or t4. You wont need the additional feature of the T6 if you are just using it in the gym.

BTW, as Duncan said, there are some HRMs that monitor pulse from the finger or wrist... but they are NO where near as accurate as one that uses a chest strap. And, without the constant monitoring, I am not sure they will provide calorie information.

Nike makes some good HRMs too. I have a CV10 and used to use it a good bit. But I am not sure if it provided calorie info.

[kxux]

Hey guys:

I'm looking for a gym watch - something that will monitor heart rate and calories burned...more features, of course, are always welcome...although who knows if I'll ever use them.

Any suggestions? Oh yeah, does one exist where I don't have to wear that stupid belt? That can't be comfortable...

Pretty much any HR monitor will tell you HR and calories burned. From the ones I used I would trust the calories from Suunto and Polar. All the other units I used were somewhat unreliable. Depending on your other needs the options for Suunto monitors are:

T3/T3c - gives you HR, calories and training effect which is an estimate of EPOC and reflects how taxing the session was
T4/T4c - same as T3/T3c only offers built in coach function that dynamically changes your plan based on your actual workouts
T6/T6c - top of the line Suunto HRM that capture beat by beat HR data, calculates calories burned, EPOC, Training Effect, etc. Mostly used for detailed data analysis

On the Polar side you could look into any of their new FT line watches which is for fitness enthusiaists. They will all give you HR and calories burned as well as other features like OwnZone (determines you optimal aerobic zone on the day and guides your exercise to stay in the zone. From the FT line the FT60 seems like very popular model (besides the FT80 which is more geared towards the weight lifting crowd). Or if you want something more geared towards running and multisport look into the RS line - RS200, RS400 and RS800cx. They all offer great amount of features and as you can expect they cost according to their feature set.

If you really need only HR and calories burned you can get fairly cheap HRM from either Suunto or Polar. I have used Nike before, but did not like their belt. The Suunto comfort belt and Polar Wearlink/Wearlink+ belts are very comfortable and you will easily get used to wearing them during the training. Anything that reads your HR from other places (wrist, finger) seems to be quite unreliable.

Good luck. By the way I do have T6c, RS800cx and CS600 HR monitors from Suunto and Polar. And they are all great products.

[Jeff_C]

Just a side comment.... HRM straps are like shoes... Personally, I like the Nike belts. That said, my T3 is one of the old style with the older belt style.

Doesnt the T6C also show altitude?

I used a Polar for years. Good product. I just prefer Suunto.

[Zack]

Thanks guys. I guess I can't bypass the belt :P.

I'll get a T3c, thanks all :).

[kxux]

Just a side comment.... HRM straps are like shoes... Personally, I like the Nike belts. That said, my T3 is one of the old style with the older belt style.

Doesnt the T6C also show altitude?

I used a Polar for years. Good product. I just prefer Suunto.

Yes T6c has altitude. In Polar line only the S625X/S725X and RS800cx has the altitude sensor. Only the RS800cx has the HRV (R-R) recording.

[ArtDirik]

hi guys

It was a close call between the polar RS 800cx and T6 c....and decided on the T6c..I used it for the first time today. Decided I also need a watch to wear for working out - and this is the first time I have ventured into wearing a hr strap. It has worked great so far after trying it for one workout. I am not really a runner biker or heavy duty weight lifting only type - I have gotten into a combination of high intensity type of cross-fit, body part weight training and some cardio - standard and high intensity type.....so now I will be able to check hr, calories, epoc/training effect....anyway, I would recommend one for working out

[Newton]

hi guys

It was a close call between the polar RS 800cx and T6 c....and decided on the T6c..I used it for the first time today. Decided I also need a watch to wear for working out - and this is the first time I have ventured into wearing a hr strap. It has worked great so far after trying it for one workout. I am not really a runner biker or heavy duty weight lifting only type - I have gotten into a combination of high intensity type of cross-fit, body part weight training and some cardio - standard and high intensity type.....so now I will be able to check hr, calories, epoc/training effect....anyway, I would recommend one for working out

Congrats on the T6c !!!!!! I love mine. Besides all the training functions its just a darn fine watch. Has to be one of the most comfortable Suuntos on the wrist. I wear mine alot just for the heck of it.