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Peloton is a fitness brand that offers exercise bicycles, treadmills, and workout videos. Choosing the best heart rate monitors for use with Peloton can help people meet their fitness goals and identify when they should rest.

A quick look at the 7 best heart rate monitors for Peloton users

Medical News Today chooses fitness equipment that meets the following criteria:

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Best chest-strap heart monitor: Polar H7

  • List price: around $70-$110
  • Water resistance: no information available
  • Memory: no information available
  • Modes:
    • heart rate monitoring
    • fitness tracking
    • calorie counting

A 2019 study comparing the Polar H7 chest strap monitor with a few wrist heart rate monitors found it was the most accurate in all exercise conditions.

Polar says the H7 is compatible with various apps and uses Bluetooth to send updates to other devices, such as iPhones.

Since the study, Polar has introduced several newer models.

The Polar H7 has the following features:

  • compatibility with Apple and Android devices
  • gym link feature that connects with compatible gym equipment
  • long battery life of up to 200 hours

Pros and cons

Reviews are mostly positive, with customers stating the Polar H7 is easy to use and comfortable to wear. It is also reportedly easy to pair with equipment in the gym. Others say they find it more comfortable to wear than a wristwatch.

However, some reviewers state they find the device uncomfortable to wear around the chest. Some find the heart rate readings inaccurate, while others have difficulty connecting the Polar H7 to the Polar Beat app on their phones.

Best for extra fitness metric tracking: Apple Watch Series 7

  • List price: from $399
  • Water resistance: 50 meters
  • Memory: 32 GB
  • Modes:
    • sleep tracking
    • blood oxygen level tracking
    • ECG app
    • activity tracking

A 2017 study compared an Apple Watch with a chest strap monitor for measuring heart rate. Researchers found the Apple Watch offered accurate results similar to the chest strap. However, the data differed slightly depending on whether a person wore the watch on the left or right wrist.

The Apple Series 7 has the following features:

  • large, easy-to-read display
  • charges up to 33% faster than older models
  • crack, dust, and water resistant
  • Apple Fitness+, which provides new workouts every week

The Apple Watch 7 tracks various health and fitness metrics, including menstruation, sleep, blood oxygen, and a range of activities.

Pros and cons

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive. Customers find the Apple Series 7 durable and straightforward to use. Some reviewers state that the watch is easy to set up.

However, others find it difficult and time-consuming to set up the watch. Some people find the watch scratches easily and has a short battery life.

Best for stress management: Fitbit Sense

  • List price: $299.95
  • Water resistance: 50 meters
  • Memory: saves information for 30 days
  • Modes:
    • ECG tracking
    • activity tracking
    • sleep tracking
    • menstrual health tracking

The Fitbit Sense is Fitbit’s is a direct competitor to the Apple Watch.

Additional features include:

  • ability to share fitness data with a healthcare professional
  • menstrual health tracking
  • 20+ goal-based exercise modes

The Sense offers a daily stress management score alongside breathing and meditation exercises. People can purchase a Fitbit membership to access extra meditation sessions from Calm, a mindfulness app.

While the Sense is sweat, splash, and rain-proof, Fitbit recommends people not wear the watch while showering or in a hot tub or sauna.

Pros and cons

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, with users stating the watch is easy to read and use and accurate.

However, other reviewers report the press point activation button is difficult to locate and does not always turn the watch face on. Some people complain that the battery life is shorter than the company advertises.

Learn more about Fitness Sense here.

Best for a comfortable fit: Polar Verity Sense

  • List price: around $89.95
  • Water resistance: 50 meters
  • Memory: 16 MB
  • Modes:
    • heart rate monitoring
    • swimming mode

The Polar Verity Sense is compatible with several devices. People must connect to the app to view their exercise stats.

The Polar Verity Sense has the following features:

  • internal memory
  • 30 hours of training on one charge
  • two simultaneous Bluetooth connections
  • detachable sensor and swimming goggle strap clip
  • heart, pace, and distance detector while swimming
  • 18 hours of battery life
  • 150-meter broadcast range
  • 130 sports profile options

Pros and cons

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, with reviewers stating that the Polar Verity Sense is accurate, comfortable, and easy to set up. Additionally, users say it has a long battery life and charges quickly. It is reportedly more comfortable than a chest strap and performs about the same.

However, some users found the strap was too tight, while others found the heart rate tracking inaccurate for running.

Best for long lasting battery life: TICKR FIT Heart Rate Monitor Armband

  • List price: around $80
  • Water resistance: up to 5 feet
  • Memory: no information available
  • Modes:
    • heart rate monitoring
    • calorie burn tracking
    • LED indicator light

Wahoo claims this armband’s adjustable strap will stay secure during intense activity. The band is available in small and large sizes.

Additional features include:

  • optical heart rate technology to provide accurate heart rate and calorie burn data
  • Bluetooth and ANT+ to easily pair with fitness apps, smartphones, and GPS bike computers and watches
  • water resistant up to 5 feet
  • long battery life lasting up to 30 hours
  • LED indicator light that shows when connected to smartphones, GPS watches, and bike computers
  • compatible with over 50 fitness apps

Pros and cons

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive. Reviewers say the TICKR FIT heart rate monitor armband instantly pairs with other apps and provides accurate fitness tracking information. Others say the armband is more comfortable and stays in place better than a chest strap.

However, some users find it difficult to pair the device with certain apps. Customers also state the device gives inaccurate heart rate readings during intense workouts.

Best for emergency attention: Garmin Vivoactive 4

  • List price: around $330
  • Water resistance: 50 meters
  • Memory: 7 timed activities, 14 days of activity tracking data
  • Modes:
    • energy level tracking
    • indoor sports
    • incident detection
    • Garmin coach
    • hydration tracking
    • goal tracking
    • Garmin pay

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 offers automatic incident detection. This sends the user’s location to their contacts in an emergency.

Additional features include:

  • animated workouts to help the user reach their goals
  • always-on watch display
  • durable watch face
  • 20+ built-in sports apps to track activities
  • hydration tracking, which adjusts based on how much a person sweats during activities
  • Garmin coach for short and long-distance training
  • more than 1,600 downloadable exercises
  • up to 8 days of battery life

Pros and cons

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive. Users state the controls are very easy to use, and the health metrics are accurate. Others say that fitness features may help people reach their health and fitness goals.

However, other reviewers say the sleep tracking is inaccurate, and the watch face is not as durable as expected. Additionally, a person needs a smartphone and the Garmin app to use the device’s safety features.

Best for an affordable monitor: Coospo H8O8S Heart Rate Monitor

  • List price: around $37
  • Water resistance: up to one meter
  • Memory: no information available
  • Modes:
    • indoor training
    • running
    • cycling
    • live heart rate tracking

This chest-strap heart rate monitor is one of the most affordable options available. It offers live heart rate tracking.

Additional features include:

  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • LED light and buzzer that shows when connected to other equipment
  • 300 hours of battery life

This device uses a replaceable CR2032 battery. Additionally, the company states this heart rate monitor is compatible with smart watches and various gym equipment, including Peloton.

Pros and cons

Reviewers who left positive reviews say that the H808S is comfortable to wear and appears to accurately track heart rate. Some users say the device is more accurate when tracking activity from rowing machines than some competitors.

Those who left negative reviews complain that the device’s battery does not last as long as expected. Others say they have difficulty connecting the H808S with other apps and equipment.

The following table compares all the products in this article.

List priceWater-resistanceMemoryModes
Polar
H7
around $70-$110no information availableno information available • heart rate monitoring
• fitness tracking
• calorie counting
Apple
Watch
Series 7
from $39950 meters32 GB• sleep tracking
• blood oxygen level tracking
• ECG app
• activity tracking
Fitbit
Sense
$299.9550 meterssaves information for 30 days• ECG tracking
• activity tracking
• sleep tracking
• menstrual health tracking
Polar
Verity Sense
$89.9550 meters16 MB• heart rate tracking
• swimming mode
TIKR FIT
Armband
$80up to 5 feetno information available• heart rate tracking
• calorie burn tracking
• LED indicator light
Garmin
Vivoactive
4
around $33050 meters7 timed activities, 14 days of activity tracking data• energy level tracking
• indoor sports
• incident detection
• Garmin coach
• hydration tracking
• goal tracking
• Garmin pay
Coospo
H808S
around $37up to 1 meterno information available• indoor training
• running
• cycling
• live heart rate tracking

People may want to consider the following factors when shopping for a heart rate monitor:

  • Type of activity. People should consider the activities they wish to perform while wearing the device. For example, people who swim may prefer a waterproof heart rate monitor.
  • Health and fitness metrics. People should consider the metrics they want to track. For example, some people may wish to monitor sleep or daily movement in addition to heart rate.
  • Visual display. People who exercise outdoors will likely appreciate an easy-to-read display visible in most weather conditions.
  • Durability. People who participate in contact or adventure sports may wish to purchase a more durable product.
  • Comfort. Some people may prefer a heart rate monitor watch, while others may find a chest strap more comfortable to wear during exercise.
  • Battery life. People may wish to consider how often they want to charge their devices.
  • Price. Monitors are available at various price points. People should consider their budget when purchasing a heart rate device. Extra features often result in a more expensive product.

People should consider what is most important to them when looking for a device, whether a wristwatch or a chest strap.

For instance, a wrist-based monitor may be less accurate but may provide convenient smartphone notifications. Conversely, a chest strap may provide more accurate readings, but a person must put it on each time they want to track their heart rate.

Home wearable heart rate monitors, particularly those people wear on the wrist, are not as accurate as electrode-containing chest monitors. Therefore, they may not be safe for people who need to keep their heart rate within a narrow range.

People with heart conditions should speak with a doctor to discuss the most suitable option for monitoring their heart rate while on a Peloton bike.

According to Peloton, people can connect their heart rate monitor in four steps:

  1. Enabled Bluetooth. If the heart rate monitor uses Bluetooth, enable Bluetooth on the Peloton touchscreen.
  2. Select the Heart Rate Monitor mode. Touch the Heart Rate Monitor mode on the Peloton touchscreen by joining a class or tapping the time on the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Connect the monitor. Tap the ‘Connect’ button on the Peloton screen next to the heart rate monitor. Bluetooth heart rate monitors will show a device name, and others will display a device ID.
  4. View your heart rate. People can then join any class to see their heart rate on the top left corner of the Peloton touchscreen.

Monitoring heart rate is an excellent way to measure the intensity of exercise. Slight increases in heart rate suggest a workout is low intensity, while larger increases in heart rate point to a higher intensity workout.

Learn more about heart rate here.

Several studies suggest exercise can with the symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, a person with CVD should only exercise under a doctor’s supervision. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend monitoring heart rate to avoid placing it under excessive stress.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that a person’s maximum heart rate is 220 minus their age. So a 20-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 200, while a 40-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 180.

The CDC also explains that moderate-intensity physical activity should cause the heart rate to rise to 64–76% of the maximum, while high intensity exercise should elevate it to 77–93% of the maximum.

Here we answer some common questions about heart rate monitors for Peloton.

Why should you use a heart rate monitor?

People may wish to use a heart rate monitor while performing exercises to gauge their fitness.

Additionally, heart rate monitors can provide further insights into a person’s heart health and may provide information users can share with their doctor.

Can you use an Apple Watch as a Peloton heart rate monitor?

Yes. People can use Apple Watch as a heart rate monitor with certain Peloton equipment.

Apple Watch is compatible with the Peloton Bike, Bike+, Tread, and Peloton App.

Should you track your heart rate every time you exercise?

People may find it beneficial to monitor their heart rate every time they exercise. For example, a person with a heart condition can share heart rate data with health professionals to monitor fluctuations.

People may also track their heart rate when they exercise to monitor any improvements in their fitness level.

Various wearable devices work with Peloton bikes to measure heart rate and track activity. These include chest straps, wrist watches, and armbands.

The best heart rate monitor for a person will depend on their specific needs and the type of device they find the most convenient. Other factors, such as cost and functionality, are also important considerations when investing in a new wearable device to use with a Peloton bike.

Before using Peloton equipment or the app, a person should speak with a doctor to ensure it is safe to exercise.