What is your favorite method of heart rate monitoring?

I haven't yet had an opportunity to choose a good piece of technology to use with my clients. I'm still relying on the good old fashioned stopwatch and pusle check. It's not ideal because i check the pulse during the rest intervals but the break usually doesn't skew the results too badly. As long as the pulse rate is within 10 BPM from our target, we're doing well.

I've looked into different pulse oximeters, and I'll probably be getting one soon to use with my clients.

You can never go wrong with checking the pulse yourself, though.

I have a pulse oximeter but I think I prefer the chest strap and watch combos. Continuous readouts with limited incapacity. Polar and Timex make some very good models that are relatively inexpensive. The cheaper ones will usually connect with cardio equipment too.

Not sure if I want to switch to a pulse oximeter or an Omron w/ chest strap. Currently using Sportline watch from Walmart. It doesn't work as intended you have to hold a finger on the back with one hand and the other finger on the sensor. I should have bought the model they had for $10 more it had a lot more features like speed and distance and the sensor covered the entire watch.

Polar chest strap and watch is the best. It has been proven to be as accurate as an EKG monitor for heart rate and there are a wide variety of watches for whatever you need.

I just got two new watch/ chest strap combos for Christmas- the New Balance duo sport and the Sportline men's cardio 680. They are both pretty comfortable but I think I like the style of the New Balance better. Both of them are completely waterproof. I watched a youtube video about the sportline and it was easy to figure out. The new balance finger touch sensor works good but the chest strap was frustrating and would not work for me for almost a week. I bought a new battery and it still didn't work until my dad started messing with it and it finally worked today. I was very relieved I did not have to take it back because it was not cheap. I'm also considering a pulse oximeter for easier operation and for clients that would not want to wear a chest strap. The advantages of the watch combos are: the chest straps can transmit to multiple watches at once so you and your client can both see their heart rate simultaneously: and you can use it during an exercise without slowing down. If you two people are wearing a chest strap make sure they are far apart to avoid picking up each others signals.