Mio Shape Select Heart Rate Monitor Watch

I'm a fitness instructor and I have my participants take their heart rate several times during our aerobic workout. Since I have to count the seconds for them, this allowed me to monitor my own heart rate at the same time.

Also, for new folks who couldn't find their heart rate consistently I'd have them wear my watch. It seemed to give them confidence and help them ease into finding their heart rate on their own.

After my classes ended I recommended this watch to several students who want to continue to easily monitor their herat rate during individual work-outs.

I purchased this monitor to avoid having to wear a chest strap during my workouts. I thought that the strap would be uncomfortable and I like the idea of just touching the face of this monitor and getting my heartrate. The first time I used it, I had little difficulty. It is easy to program, gives an adequate amount of info for the average fitness routine and relatively comfortable. However, once I started my first workout, I encountered some problems. This monitor is difficult, if not impossible, to use while running. You must stop or slow down considerably to allow your fingers to make a decent connection with the sensors. It took me a few tries to get a reading, by which point my heartrate had dropped. I had the same difficulty while spinning. I was not able to keep track of my heartrate until I was sitting and in recovery. This isn't really convenient in a standing climb where you're trying to reach a target and can't tell where you're at until you're finished. Plus, I wasn't always able to get a reading the first time and had to try again, and sometimes again, leaving me with a less than accurate reading.

I still really like the convenience of this item, however it doesn't seem to work for the type of exercise I'm doing. It seems like a great HRM for those who don't like a chest strap and are doing low impact activities or interval programs that allow for some down time in which to get a reading. However if you are involved in continuous or high impact movement, I wouldn't recommend it.

I am enjoying for the first time the freedom of monitoring my heart rate no matter where I am. At the Airport while waiting in line or going through the security. More importantly, while working out, lifting weights. During aerobics, awesome. I really appreciate this watch.
Bill

This watch/monitor fits the bill in almost every respect - sturdy, easy to read (old eyes!) and operate, and highly useful in a variety of settings. However, it is not especially water- or sweat-proof, and I killed the first one in just a little over a year of daily wear. First the buttons went dead, then the LCD fritzed. However, there is nothing on the market like this in this price range, so I am going back to buy another!

This watch/heart rate monitor is great and is a lot more convenient than the chest strap type. Good functionality and form. Best one on the market since Casio stopped making their pulse rate watch. Recommended for runners and bikers. I don't use the calorie counter as it requires you to take the booklet with you!