Using a heart rate monitor

you should get a chest strap it is good you just connect it to a computer or laptop to get your heart rate.
I would recommend you shop around and see what is best.
If you were body sparring then I would use a watch heart rate monitor.

 

Get a cheapie then when you discard it cos they're such a faff you won't have wasted too much money.

 

http://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-...-30-minutes-of-leisure-and-routine-activities

 

A HRM or similar gadget will only give you a rough estimate of calories burned.

Why would you want to know? If you're looking to lose weight just follow a calorie controlled diet and keep increasing the deficit until you hit your target..

 

I think you need to get SERIOUS about calorie counting, stay on a reduced calorie diet for a prolonged period of time, during which the weight/fat most certainly WILL come off, then see if you need to worry about HRM/VO2max/anaerobic threshold etc. Just my tuppence ha'penny worth and good luck with your training. :good

 

I used to use a heart rate monitor when I trained and fought, I didn't wear it too often in Sparrig as I couldn't check my HR obviously and it was impossible to fiddle with with gloves on.

The watch doesn't actually need t be on your wrist though you can leave it at the side of the ring and the strap will send the signal to the watch. I am not good with technology so wasn't too good at just recording the session and presenting the feedback on a computer but I am sure it is possible.

I never used it for calorie counting I used it to monitor my effort levels, recovery and work rate. If you are deadly serious about training your body to be th best it can be then an HR monitor is essential or you are just guessing.

Every other sport has been using them for years but boxng is just behind the times.

I was always told of a respected source that Polar was the best make and not to get anything other than that.

 

As an old fashioned non gadget kind of guy I infinitely prefer the snot-o-meter to tell me when I'm working hard. Snot starts coming out of yr nose uncontrollably. Cheap, reliable, effective, no batteries..

Good read on HRM..
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/the-truth-about-heart-rate-and-exercise

 

Something thats not been mentioned i dont think. Is the most important thing as regards heart monitor, is measuring your recovery time. In the60s, we used a watch and the index finger.

 

I use the Polar RS100 for pretty much every thing that you've listed.