I need to start working out a bit finally. Since I can't really run too well due to a previously broken leg, I am looking at buying a bike and also a stationary bycicle. As I have recently had some (hopefully) minor heart issues, I want to get something with a heart rate monitor. I would also like to be able to track my progress and somehow easily transfer the data into a program (Mac or PC) that is good to do this. Question: Is there any equipment that does all of this (and maybe has GPS etc.) and wirelessly transmits this data to the PC via WLAN automatically? If not, anything else you would recommend? Any equipment/software? Thanks.
I haven't got into HR monitors yet, but I do know the gold standard is Polar. and I do believe they make a model that does all of those things you say, with the possible exception of wireless connection to your PC.
I've had a couple of Polar heart rate monitors and like them. One model transmitted data by holding the watch to a microphone and it would transmit the data audibly, it worked ok but wasn't very convenient. The one I have now you have to buy a separate piece of hardware to transmit the data, I just got it so can't comment on it too much since I've only used it once. They also make ones that transmit the data via IR, but I've never used one. And the data doesn't go to your computer, it's sent to a website that stores everything. To get one that you can hook GPS up to you'll probably be spending $300+ for the monitor and another $100+ for the GPS sensor. To start out you could get a cheap monitor and a speed/distance tracker for under $150.
I use a Garmin 305 on my runs. It comes with a heart rate monitor and is capable of tracking your heart rate. It's useful, but I don't use it very much. The Garmin also comes with a dock so you can transfer all of your information to your PC. The GPS feature is very useful for me. If I want to run for X number of miles, I can just go run without planning my route ahead of time.
I also use a garmin forerunner 305. It only originally comes with the watch, but has a cycling cadence monitor addon. It's also cool if you want to start geocaching. I don't really use the information transferred to my pc much beyond "Hmm, that workout didn't seem so hard for 180 bpm". Suunto also makes a good product, and as someone mentioned Polar as well. Maybe just pick between a bike or stationary bike first.
Thanks everyone already for your comments. If you use e.g. the Garmin Forerunner 305 for cycling, how does it measure what you did...by tracking the distance with GPS? I guess that means it is useless in terms of measuring the "distance" you achieved on a stationary bike - so for that purpose, all it would do would be to measure the heart rate? Can you enter the "distance" manually into the training program based on what the little computer of your stationary bike tells you?
I did a little research and it seems like I have been able to answer my own question - with the Garmin GSC 10 speed and cadence sensor, seems like it measures the distance you achieved through your cadence (with GPS turned off), so you can hook that up to your stationary bike. https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=3356 So looks like with your help, I have found something relatively affordable that seems to fulfill most of the requirements (except wirelessly transfering the data to the computer, but USB will do). I just ordered the Forerunner 305 + Speed/Cadence sensor GSC 10. Looks like my setup would be: Forerunner 305 + Speed/Cadence sensor GSC 10 + Sporttracks software (or possibly instead Ascent for the Mac (http://www.montebellosoftware.com/webpages/ascent/features.html).
