A Heart Full of Henna
Your heart is incredible. Think about it. You close your eyes at night. You sit down to rest your feet after a long day of standing. You lay down to rest your back. You even find ways to relax your fingers by stretching them. But you heart (hopefully) never takes a day off. It’s a muscle that’s constantly pumping blood and much needed nutrients to all parts of your body.
Let’s look at all the ways a heart rate monitor can help you workout your heart and keep it pumping that life-giving blood.
A heart rate monitor will:
- Motivate you during the workout. Are you going fast enough? Slow enough? Have you been going long enough? Too long?
- Monitor the progress of your fitness program. As you fitness improves your heart rate characteristics will change. A heart rate monitor can show you trends in your fitness that are instrumental in making progress efficiently.
- Tell you the type of energy you burn during your workout. Your heart rate monitor can tell you if you are burning fat or carbohydrates during your workout.
- You can even use your heart rate monitor to monitor your stress levels during the day. If your heart is higher than expected, maybe it’s time to take a break. Walk away and take a few deep breaths.
There are few key questions you need to answer about your goals and needs when shopping for a heart rate monitor:
Strap or Strapless
There are two basic types of heart rate monitors: ones that use a chest strap and ones that do not.
The heart rate monitors which use a chest strap are far more accurate and reliable. They work by detecting the electrical impulses used to contract your heart. These electrical impulses are translated and sent wirelessly to the heart rate monitor watch on your wrist. If you are doing something which requires a lot of movement, you probably want a heart rate monitor with a strap.
The heart rate monitors used without a chest strap work by you places fingers on a metal plate built into the watch. Some people believe are more comfortable because you don’t have to deal with a chest strap. If you want a heart rate monitor for everyday use or you are simply looking to check your heart rate on a walk, a strapless heart rate monitor may be perfect for you.
$30 to $400- the choice is yours
There is a wide range of heart rate monitors.
For less than $50 you can get a heart rate monitor with a great set of basic features. In this case, your new HRM will show you your heart rate. That’s what you wanted, right? It might even give you an alarm when your heart is outside a specific heart rate zone. The Timex T5G971 has heart rate alarms and a recovery timer for only $35. Check out the Timex T5G971 review to learn more.
There are a lot of heart rate monitors between $50 and $100. In this case, you can expect to get an interval timer for interval training, some storage for previous workouts, and maybe built-in fitness and recovery tests. The Timex Road Trainer is a good example of a heart rate monitors in this range. Also in this range, the Timex Race Trainer, adds a lot of functionality for only about $25 more. Check out the differences inn the Timex Race Trainer review.
Between $100 and $200 you are in the upper middle class of heart rate monitors. In this range you will get the capability to upload your data to your computer or the internet and monitor your progress graphically. Depending on the manufacturer you will also get various built-in fitness tests and very stylish watches. If you have an interest in longer-term fitness improvement, heart rate monitors in this range are great option. You can even get into the lower end of GPS heart rate monitors in this price range. The Polar RS400 is a great heart rate monitors for runners in this range. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is an older GPS heart rate monitor which is also in this range.
When you go over $250, you are now in the elite of heart rate monitors. Almost all of these HRMs will include GPS and the capability to upload your data. The Suunto t6d even contains a high resolution temperature compensated altimeter and will deliver your altitude, vertical speed, and your total ascent/descent. The Garmin Forerunner 210 has the latest GPS chip for the best performance and is currently just over $250.
Do you like data?
Courtesy: JasonSpaceman on Flickr
Many HRM’s will allow you to upload data to your computer or the web. If you like to look at your heart rate, calories, running cadence, cycling cadence or even your route, you may want to consider a HRM which capable of uploading data.
In order to upload your data, some heart rate monitors will require you to connect them to your computer. Others will automatically and wirelessly upload your data when you are close to your computer. Either way, the more recent HRM’s will upload your data more reliably. They use more modern protocols (ANT or USB) are much more reliable than the heart rate monitors from even a few years ago.
Once uploaded, you can look at yesterday, last week, or last month. In some cases you can even share your workout and brag about your improvements to your online friends. In some cases, you can even use the online tools to design a specific workout and download the workout to your heart rate monitor watch. Now that’s cool.
Runner? Cyclist? Or general fitness?
Courtesy: AlphaTangoBravo on Flickr
If you run or cycle frequently you may want to consider a HRM intended for your sport.
A runner’s heart rate monitor will usually contain a lap/split feature and will contain either GPS or will be compatible with a footpod. A footpod attaches to your shoe and translates your steps to distance. It’s a great alternative where GPS won’t work (i.e.indoors on a treadmill). A HRM dedicated for running will also keep track of mileage of multiple pairs of shoes.
A hear rate monitor intended for cycling will have the capability to display your speed (instead of your pace). It’s makes much more sense to see 20 mph (or kmph) rather a pace of 5:00 when you are on your bike. Most cycling heart rate monitors will be compatible with a cadence sensor you can keep track of your pedaling cadence. The upper end will also be compatible with a power sensor to measure your output power.
Everyday watch? Gym rat? Both?
Do you want a heart rate monitor to wear everyday? If so, you probably don’t want a large klunky watch that makes you look like Inspector Gadget. Suunto is well known for their style in addition to their upper end features. Let’s close this with a simple example. If you are looking for style and functionality, which watch would you wear everyday?
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So there you have it. As you can see, selecting a heart rate monitor is relatively simple if you know what you are looking for. Make sure you read the review of a few specific heart rate monitors which meet your needs. Either way, get up and get going. You need a heart rate monitor. Your heart will thank you.
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