This ol’ fitness zombie has a confession to make—I’m lazy. Lazy enough that my undead self went wandering for a new heart rate monitor. Now, I’ve always been a fan of Polar, so I strapped on my trusty Polar chest strap and synced it to Mr. NordicTrack Elliptical, which I’ve been using to shuffle along. But here’s the deal: it stays paired to Mr. NordicTrack and refuses to play nice with my tablet unless I reboot the big guy. Problem is, powering him down too often makes him cranky, and a cranky NordicTrack means trouble. So, what’s a lazy zombie to do? Go shopping for alternatives, of course!
I wanted something that would sync with both Bluetooth and ANT+ because, well, ANT+ lets my devices talk to each other like a bunch of fitness zombies grunting through a workout. And since I’m tired of wrestling with chest straps (reaching around my zombie belly to clip it on is so last century), I decided it was time for an armband.
After stumbling around the internet a bit, I found COOSPO, and price won me over. The lineup offers a few options for zombies like me who want reliable heart rate tracking without emptying their crypt. The HW706 is the cheapest at $39.90, offering the basics: Bluetooth, ANT+, and 20 hours of battery life. The HW807 steps things up for $49.90, adding heart rate variability (HRV) tracking, zone training with a flashy 5-color LED, and vibrations when my undead heart races. But the REALZONE HW9? That’s the one I picked for $53.91. Why? Pure zombie instinct—the strap looked more comfortable, and I liked the idea of zone tracking. The LED changes color to show your heart rate zone, which sounds fancy when you’re dragging yourself through an elliptical session.
First workout: I strapped that bad boy to my right forearm and synced it to the Peloton app on my Galaxy tablet. It worked like a charm, staying just 1-2 bpm off from my Apple Watch the whole time. Then I got wild—I installed Heartool on my iPhone, synced the REALZONE, had my Polar talking to Mr. NordicTrack, and ran the Apple Watch on my wrist. Three devices, all showing a heart rate within 1-2 bpm of each other. The stats? Heartool: Average bpm 134, Max 149. Apple Watch: Average 134, Max 149. Mr. NordicTrack (with Polar): Average 134, Max 150.
In short, it’s pretty darn accurate for the price. Now, zone tracking? It’s basic, and you can only set your max heart rate (MHR) through the Heartool app based on age, which left me a little dead inside (pun intended). But for a lazy fitness zombie like me, comfort was key, and this strap delivered.
Overall, this zombie ain’t disappointed with the purchase… yet.
| Feature | HW706 Armband | HW807 Armband | REALZONE HW9 Armband |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.90 | $49.90 | $53.91 (on sale) |
| Body Dimensions (LxWxH) | 43.00×36.00×12.50 mm | 43.00×36.00×12.50 mm | 41.3×33.8×11 mm |
| Weight | 18g | 19g | 20g |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium battery, 90 mAh | Rechargeable lithium battery, 90 mAh | Rechargeable lithium battery, 90 mAh |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 20 hours | 35 hours |
| Wireless Connections | Bluetooth & ANT+ | Bluetooth 5.0 & ANT+ | Bluetooth 5.0 & ANT+ |
| HRV | No | Yes | Yes |
| LED Indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Charging Method | Magnetic USB Charging | Magnetic USB Charging | Magnetic USB Charging |
| Operating Temperature | -10℃~50℃ | -10℃~50℃ | -10℃~50℃ |
| Heart Rate Zone Training | No | Yes (5-color LED) | Yes (5-color LED) |
| Heart Rate Alert | No | Yes (with vibration) | Yes (vibration & LED) |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Compatibility | Standard fitness devices & apps | Popular apps like CoospoRide, Wahoo, Zwift | GPS watches, bike computers, fitness equipment |
| Special Features | Accurate tracking, LED indicator | Heart Rate Zone training, vibrating alerts | ±1 bpm accuracy, zone tracking, multiple device connection, vibration alerts |
I'm on a lifelong quest to find the perfect balance between strawberry smoothies and pizza slices. A self-proclaimed gym enthusiast who believes rest days are just as crucial as leg days—especially if they involve NASCAR racing. I lift weights, but only so I can justify my love for chocolate cake. When I'm not at the gym, you’ll find me riding dirt bikes or capturing the thrill of motorsport through my camera lens. Join me as I navigate the highs and lows of fitness, where progress is measured in reps, and cheat meals are a form of self-care.
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