We Know: All About Heart Rate Monitors What are heart rate monitors? A Heart rate monitor is a device used to measure your heart rate during aerobic workouts. The readings taken from the heart rate monitor help athletes adjust the intensity and length of their workouts to get the maximum cardiovascular benefit. Heart rate monitors are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and lightweight. How do they work? In order to get the most out of a heart rate monitor, it is important to understand how your body works and how it performs when you do cardiovascular exercises. Heart rate plays a big role in determining the efficiency of your workout sessions. The heart rate monitor measures your maximum heart rate and evaluates your exercise regimen to make sure you are exercising within the appropriate target heart rates. It is useful if you stick to a good exercise schedule, and an expensive toy for those who don't stick to the program. What are the different types of heart rate monitors? There are two types of heart rate monitors on the market: Pulse monitors without a chest strap - these heart rate monitors measure your heart rate using your pulse from your fingertip. These devices do not provide accurate readings. Chest electrodes with transmitters - these heart rate monitors include an adjustable transmitter that wraps around your chest and collects electrical signals from your heart, which is broadcast to a receiver that your wear around your wrist as a watch. Some receivers collect only heart rate information, while others provide more detailed work-ups of your workout. These monitors provide the most accurate readings. What features typically come with heart rate monitors? Most heart rate monitors are waterproof. Most monitors display your heart rate and may provide you with the time elapsed during your exercise, or your exercise time. Other features come with increasing price tags, including: Heart rate zone alarms Timers Readouts on the amount of calories burned Fitness testing Links to computer programs for further analysis Other considerations before you purchase a heart rate monitor include User friendliness Simplicity of interfaces Buttons are labeled appropriately and easily identifiable Backlights provided so you can read the display in places with poor lighting What are the popular models of heart rate monitors? The forerunners of the heart rate monitors came from Polar, who is also the first company to produce wireless heart rate monitors. Heart rate monitors range in price from $50 to $300. Some of the more popular models as cited from Consumer Search include: Polar A3 ($75) - accurate and easy to use. Polar F11 ($150) - named the best heart rate monitor by Consumer Search and its price tag includes tracking calorie consumption and a host of other extras. Acumen Eon Basix ES ($55) - a good model for beginners with a simple interface. Recommended for beginners by Prevention Magazine. Garmin Forerunner 301 ($300) - its priciness includes a global positioning system (GPS). Mio Shape ($115) - a pulse monitor that uses a fingertip sensor to measure your pulse.
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