Julie in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I like working out wearing a heart rate monitor because I'm not very good at judging whether I'm pushing too hard or not pushing enough. I need something to tell me when enough is enough. The hrm on my treadmill is worthless. Not even worth checking. I *hate* wearing a heart rate monitor with a chest strap and watch. Perhaps it's the spare tire around my middle, but I have a hard time getting a good enough contact and I hate the feeling of constriction. So...those little pulse oximeter things they use at the doctor's office, the little thing they clip to your finger for a minute, do those do basically the same thing? It's counting your pulse? Can I keep one of those on my treadmill and just stick my finger in once in a while? :bigear: (Is that a dumb question?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixglides Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Pulse oximeter monitors check your oxygen saturation rate, not heart rate. Not sure if they newer ones also do heart rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Pulse oximeter monitors check your oxygen saturation rate, not heart rate. Not sure if they newer ones also do heart rate. So it's not taking your pulse at the same time? I couldn't remember.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Pulse oximeters will check the oxygen level and the pulse (at least ours does). But a good one is fairly expensive. I haven't looked in awhile, but we got ours at REI about three years ago for more than $300. Research quality carefully - there are levels. You could use it for the purpose you propose. I prefer a regular heartrate monitor, but I know what you mean about the strap. I make the strap rather loose and tuck the whole thing in under the bottom of my exercise bra ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixglides Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Not the ones I've seen, just oxygen sat. rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 I prefer a regular heartrate monitor, but I know what you mean about the strap. I make the strap rather loose and tuck the whole thing in under the bottom of my exercise bra ;). Yeah, I tried that. :001_huh: It might be worth $300 not to have that degrading feeling that I'm so fat I can't even make contact with the chest strap thingy. :001_unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Yeah, I tried that. :001_huh:It might be worth $300 not to have that degrading feeling that I'm so fat I can't even make contact with the chest strap thingy. :001_unsure: a cursory search yielded one that appears to be identical, or nearly identical, to the one I have.. http://www.amazon.com/Nonin-Digital-9500-Finger-Oximeter/dp/B001D7OHQ2 Looks like the price has come down in the years since I bought it. I can't believe it's still functioning, after what my little ones have done to it. If it ever starts acting wacky, chances are it just needs new batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 a cursory search yielded one that appears to be identical, or nearly identical, to the one I have.. http://www.amazon.com/Nonin-Digital-9500-Finger-Oximeter/dp/B001D7OHQ2 Looks like the price has come down in the years since I bought it. I can't believe it's still functioning, after what my little ones have done to it. If it ever starts acting wacky, chances are it just needs new batteries. So in your research, were there some brands that were better than others, or was there a great variation in accuracy even between models from the same manufacturer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTwinsMom1 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I got my pulse ox from Amazon for a lot less than 300$. Here is the one I have, it does both Heart Rate and Pulse ox: http://www.amazon.com/Oximeter-record-transfer-computer-analyze/dp/B002NV4HNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1286904576&sr=8-1 I like it because it records and then you can download the recording to your computer. There are cheaper models if all you are really needing is heart rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 So in your research, were there some brands that were better than others, or was there a great variation in accuracy even between models from the same manufacturer? It was a long time ago, but I'm thinking some brands were better than others. I vaguely recall that Nonin might also make medical ones. I'd definitely read the reviews of any ones that you are considering. The PP makes a great point, that a device measuring only heartrate would probably be less expensive. Also, the technology may have improved since I bought mine three years ago. (FWIW, I bought it for the oxygen component, for sick/asthma kids, long story :tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 In looking around on Amazon, there sure is a wide variation in price. Even some of the most inexpensive have really good Amazon ratings/reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I've got this strapless heart rate monitor watch and it works well. It doesn't give a continuous rating--you have to hold down 2 buttons to get a reading, but that's not a problem for me. It gives a pretty accurate reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 So...those little pulse oximeter things they use at the doctor's office, the little thing they clip to your finger for a minute, do those do basically the same thing? It's counting your pulse? These are very expensive! Take your pulse on your throat for 6 seconds and X10. When I work out, I can FEEL my heart rate everywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I wouldn't worry about a pulse ox unless you have a history of respiratory issues and/or the doctor recommends it. I would concentrate on your pulse rate while exercising and not think about oxygenation. That number is so variable and all over the place while exercising and doesn't really account for much, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 These are very expensive! Take your pulse on your throat for 6 seconds and X10. When I work out, I can FEEL my heart rate everywhere! Am I the only dolt on the planet who cannot do this? I can't watch the seconds and count my pulse at the same time. Add to that the fact I tend to count my steps randomly as I run, and there is no way I end up with the correct number to X10. I can't even do it when I'm sitting still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Am I the only dolt on the planet who cannot do this? I can't watch the seconds and count my pulse at the same time. Add to that the fact I tend to count my steps randomly as I run, and there is no way I end up with the correct number to X10. I can't even do it when I'm sitting still. :lol::lol::lol: I thought it was just me! And I'm a nurse!! I remember when I used to take aerobics class and they would stop to do a pulse check, I would always march in place with my fingers on my neck and pretend I was counting . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 :lol::lol::lol: I thought it was just me! And I'm a nurse!! I remember when I used to take aerobics class and they would stop to do a pulse check, I would always march in place with my fingers on my neck and pretend I was counting . . . :smilielol5: I've done that too :D. I'm feeling much better about this deficiency now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 I wouldn't worry about a pulse ox unless you have a history of respiratory issues and/or the doctor recommends it. I would concentrate on your pulse rate while exercising and not think about oxygenation. That number is so variable and all over the place while exercising and doesn't really account for much, IMO. Well, as per my original post, I'm *not* worried about oxygenation. :001_smile: I'm just looking for a better, easier way of taking my pulse while I'm walking/jogging on my treadmill and watchin' tv. :D I don't want to have to try and count it myself while I'm walking (and I don't want to interrupt watching House in order to count! :tongue_smilie:), the one on my treadmill doesn't work, and I hate the chest strap thing on the regular heart rate monitors made for exercise. Some of the pulse oximeters on Amazon have great ratings, and aren't very expensive, so I was wondering if it would work for my purposes--making it easy for a dolt like me to check my heart rate so I don't push too hard, or go too easy! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Well, as per my original post, I'm *not* worried about oxygenation. :001_smile:I'm just looking for a better, easier way of taking my pulse while I'm walking/jogging on my treadmill and watchin' tv. :D I don't want to have to try and count it myself while I'm walking (and I don't want to interrupt watching House in order to count! :tongue_smilie:), the one on my treadmill doesn't work, and I hate the chest strap thing on the regular heart rate monitors made for exercise. Some of the pulse oximeters on Amazon have great ratings, and aren't very expensive, so I was wondering if it would work for my purposes--making it easy for a dolt like me to check my heart rate so I don't push too hard, or go too easy! :) Oh, I see. I don't know what's on the market and the cost of pulse ox w/pulse v. just pulse. To the extent you'd be paying lost more for the pulse ox, I don't think you need. That's all I meant:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Oh, I see. I don't know what's on the market and the cost of pulse ox w/pulse v. just pulse. To the extent you'd be paying lost more for the pulse ox, I don't think you need. That's all I meant:001_smile: Yeah, surprisingly though, some well-rated pulse ox meters from Amazon are less expensive than many of the heart rate monitors. It just got me wondering...:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 why would a REI shopper need a pulse-ox? for climbing in higher elevations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 why would a REI shopper need a pulse-ox? for climbing in higher elevations? Yes. And we do often take it with us on weekends in the mountains (close to 10k ft). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Am I the only dolt on the planet who cannot do this? Either this man is dead or my watch is stopped. I do it visually....for a quarter way around the face of the clock, and X4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kilomi Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Monitoring heart rate is very important for athletes and those who suffer from asthma and allergies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 :bigear: I was looking at strapless heart monitors just earlier today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLBMom Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I'm a homehealth nurse and bought myself one off Ebay for $60 last year. It's held up great so far. It does take pulse and O2 saturation. Your hand does need to be pretty still for a moment for it to work, but only for a few seconds. Sounds like a good idea to me ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Mine works perfectly, and it was about $25 on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I love having mine, and it makes it so much easier because I don't have to stop walking in order to calculate my heart rate. Well, as per my original post, I'm *not* worried about oxygenation. :001_smile:I'm just looking for a better, easier way of taking my pulse while I'm walking/jogging on my treadmill and watchin' tv. :D I don't want to have to try and count it myself while I'm walking (and I don't want to interrupt watching House in order to count! :tongue_smilie:), the one on my treadmill doesn't work, and I hate the chest strap thing on the regular heart rate monitors made for exercise. Some of the pulse oximeters on Amazon have great ratings, and aren't very expensive, so I was wondering if it would work for my purposes--making it easy for a dolt like me to check my heart rate so I don't push too hard, or go too easy! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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