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Five Most
Important Features of Your Heart Rate Monitor
When you are new to running then, at some point in time, you will
become interested in getting a heart rate monitor.
I have had a love-hate relationship with my heart rate monitors over
the years.
The first one I got was very helpful: my heart rate monitor
helped me a lot in finding the right pace.
So that an easy run did not end up being a tempo run. And vice versa !
Then I stopped using it, it sort of lost its purpose.
But I have recently rediscovered heart rate monitors. Nowadays, they
are so, so, so much better than they have ever been.
GPS, integration with Bing maps, heart rate, speed, elevation and
distance measures, kilometer splits / interval splits / lap splits,
it's all possible.
Check out my page with Best GPS Running Watches.
My advise to you : definitely get a
heart rate monitor when you are new to running.
So many runners run too fast or too slow. A heart rate monitor can
really help you set your pace.
And don't be alarmed. You don't have to fork out
hundreds of dollars. Depending on what you want, you can find a decent
heart rate monitor at a good price.
For cheap heart rate monitors check out my cheap
heart rate monitors for less than $100,- page.
But what do you look for in a heart rate monitor ?
Which features are essential ?
And which are nice-to-have ?
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Garmin Forerunner 410 GPS w/HRM Monitors
GARMIN FORERUNNER 410 GPS w HRM - The Forerunner
410 GPS features highly accurate GPS distance tracking and
Comprehensive Performance Monitoring that tracks your pace, distance,
time, heart rate, elevation and location. Train smarter with Virtual Partner program that helps you improve your workout to
achieve goals faster.
$374.98
Click here to see this product |
Well, of course, this is somewhat personal. If you wish to get a
top-of-the-range heart rate monitor like some of the Garmin
heart rate monitors
(watch, heart rate monitor, speed
monitor and distance monitor all in one) I am not
going to stop you.
I love my Garmin.
So no wrong choice, definitely not.
I am not that much of a "gadgets-man" I guess, but I have been well and
truly sold on the Garmin functionalities.
I am a real analyst and love
to see my km-splits, compare runs over the same distance to see how
much I have improved, etc, etc.
You just need to
consider whether you wish to spend that amount of money.
If you don't want the full wizz-bang functionality, but do want a
useful heart rate monitor, then there are
simpler, cheaper options available.
When you are new to running, it is difficult to determine what is
important in a heart rate monitor. That's why I decided to make this
page to help you out.
So, what do I consider essential features of a
heart rate monitor ?
OK... drumroll please... my selection of five most important features
is :
Breast Strap
Adjustable
Heart Rate Target Zones with Alarm
Light
Count Down Timer
Price
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #1: Breast Strap
You have got two choices here. There are heart rate monitors which are
only on the wrist. The disadvantage of this is that
you can easily get interference with other heart
rate monitors around. So then, your heart rate monitors reads some
other runner's heart rate. Very annoying when you are running in a
group or in a race!
Most heart rate monitors however come with a velcro breast
strap. Feels a bit weird at first, but after a while you
don't feel the breast strap anymore. And you will never pick up some
other runner's signal !
If you are
going to measure heart rate, you might as well measure your
own!
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #2: Adjustable
Heart Rate Target Zones with Alarm
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MIO Motiva Heart Rate Watch Monitors
MIO MOTIVA HEART RATE WATCH - The seasons sleekest, stylish running
watch is also a patented weight-management system. The Mio Motiva Heart
Rate Watch is geared to give you intense motivation to stay on top of
your goals. Simply enter your target calories for the day and this
amazing device will set off an alarm if you're close to going over.
Plus, staying in shape is simplified thanks to its ingenious heart rate
monitor. Now you can literally watch your calories burn!...
$89.98
Click here to see this product |
What you especially want when
you wear your heart rate monitor during a
run is to keep your heart rate in the correct zone.
A heart rate monitor with adjustable heart rate target zones
with alarm will help you achieve just that.
What to consider here:
Do you want to be able to set up
multiple target zones or not ?
Considering you usually run in mainly one zone per workout this is
normally not strictly necessary.
Do you want sound alarm only ?
Some heart rate monitors have a beep to warn you when you "leave" your
zone, some vibrate, some do both.
LITTLE TIP: Want to avoid
scolding ?
Don't use the beeping alarms on your heart rate monitor during a race.
Some people really hate it... :)
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #3: Light
Whether you run in the mornings or at night, chances are that you run in
the dark at least sometimes.
I do most of my runs in the
dark.
Not much to do about that when you have a full-time job.
Having a
light on your heart rate monitor certainly comes in useful then...
Just to be able to tell the time, my speed or my heart rate, I
really need that back light.
Once again something that has changed over the years: when I got my
first heart rate monitor, not many models had a back light.
Now almost all come with one.
Still good thing to check for though before you purchase!
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #4: Stopwatch
with lap/splits
Especially when you mainly run shorter distances a
good deal of your time is spent doing intervals on or off the track.
Being able to time your splits is important then.
And you will want to do that without much hassle like pushing many
buttons and in the meanwhile doing the maths in your head.
Keep an eye out for heart rate monitors with a memory function for your
splits if you spend much of your time on the track. Again, this makes
life just that little bit easier.
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #5: Countdown
Timer
I use my heart rate monitor often for the countdown
timer-functionality.
I have a love/hate relationship
with 5-minute intervals. I love how they help you
get faster. But I hate doing them... :)
My wonderful heart rate monitor is very functional, it lets me set my
interval time or distance, recovery time or distance and it measures
the distance covered in each individual split.
When you have got a little more simpler heart rate monitor then just
having that countdown functionality will help. This is how I used to do
it:
I'd do a 5-minute interval with 2 minutes recovery in between.
So I'd set
my timer at 7 minutes and let it count down.
At 5 minutes my interval
starts. At 0 the alarm goes off and it immediately starts counting down
from 7 minutes to 0 again.
And when my 2 minute recovery period was over
the fun started again... :)
The other way around does not work as well. The last thing you want to
do when doing a strenuous workout is checking your watch all the time
to see if your interval is finished already.
When you start your count
down with the recovery period it is much easier.
During recovery you go
slow and you have the time, the breath and the energy to keep an eye on
your watch.
Keep in mind there is a very cheap wonderful device available now that
will help you track that so easily. It's called the Gymboss.
Very useful.
Best Heart Rate Monitor Feature #5: Price
Last, but not least, price.
Know what you want from a heart rate monitor and what you want to
spend, then make your choice.
Best Buys
To conclude this guide to the most important features of your heart
rate monitor I'll show you a few heart rate monitors which have most of
the basic features, but are still within a reasonable budget.
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MIO Motion Heart Rate Watch - Small Monitors
MIO MOTION HEART RATE WATCH-SMALL - This streamlined version monitors your heart rate and
calories burned, as well as your speed, distance, and step count. Built
with biometric sensor technology, no bulky chest strap is necessary.
Simply hold it in your hand and you're on your way to success....
$99.98
Click here to see this product |
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Suunto M1 Heart Rate Monitor
SUUNTO M1 HEART RATE MONITOR - Sophisticated, yet easy to use, the
Suunto M1 Heart Rate Monitor is optimized for any aerobic activity with
state-of-the-art accuracy. With comprehensive monitoring of heart rate
and calories burned, this essential device is equipped with the tools
you need to reach your fitness goals. Styled with versatility, built
for comfort, you'll get the most out of each and every workout....
$99.98
Click here to see this product |
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Timex Zone Trainer Digital Heart Rate Mid
Monitors
TIMEX ZONE TRAINER DIGITAL HEART RATE MONITOR - This heart rate monitor
is a powerful, easy-to-use training tool that's perfect for beginners
or seasoned athletes looking for a streamlined HRM. The Timex Zone
Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor helps you set your target heart rate
zone, graphically shows you how long you spend in your zone, plus your
percent-of-max heart rate, calories burned, and more. Includes digital
heart rate sensor and adjustable strap. Prices are so low on...
$99.98
Click here to see this product |
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New Balance N8 Speed & Distance Monitor
NEW BALANCE N8 SPEED & DISTANCE MONITOR - Track your speed,
distance, and heart rate with the easy convenience of the New Balance
N8 Speed & Distance Monitor. It's three advanced systems in
one, with easy to use functions and an even easier to see display.
Compact, convenient, and designed to stay out of the way of your
workout. Slip it round your wrist or lace it to your shoes, you'll be
performing at your best now that you can do it by the numbers....
$149.99
Click here to see this product |
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Heart Rate Monitor Reviews
Some heart rate monitor reviews are available on this site. Check them
out for more detailed information about the best heart rate monitors
around :
Garmin
Heart Rate Monitors
Garmin heart rate monitors are well known for their sleek design, light
weight and complete functionality.
They are GPS devices measuring distance, speed, time and heart rate.
Integration with desktop software or Garmin Connect (website)
is availabable as well to make sure that you get the most out of your
training. Highly
recommended!
Also see my reviews of individual Garmin models here:
Garmin
Forerunner 110 Review
Garmin
Forerunner 310XT Review
Garmin
Forerunner 405cx Review
Polar
Heart Rate Monitors
Used to be the absolute market leader until a few years ago when Garmin
started taking over. Offer a wide range of heart rate monitors from
beginner models to the really advanced.
Adidas
miCoach Pacer Review
Interesting device offering your training information via your
mp3-player. Pretty cool and with speed, distance and heart rate
measured it comes in at a very good price.
Some other pages with heart rate monitors:
Nike
Heart Rate Monitors | CardioSport
Heart Rate Monitors
Mio
Heart Rate Monitors | Timex
Heart Rate Monitors
Reebok
Heart Rate Monitors
Of course, don't forget to go to the Finding
Cheap Heart Rate Monitors page for a good selection of cheap
heart rate monitors.
And if you want to see some good GPS running watches, then visit the GPS running watch page.
Heart Rate Monitor Training Information
Zoladz
Heart Rate Target Zones
Find out your heart rate monitor target zones based on the Zoladz
method. Only requires maximum heart rate.
Karvonen
Heart Rate Target Zones
Work out what your heart rate target zones are based on the Karvonen
method. This method requires both maximum and rest heart rate.
Heart
Rate Monitor Training Basics
Some important basics that you need when you want to start running with
a heart rate monitor.
Determining
Your Maximum Heart Rate | Determining
Your Rest Heart Rate
Helpful pages that tell you how to determine your maximum and your rest
heart rate.
Heart
Rate Monitor Pitfalls
Relying on your heart rate monitor alone is not good. It is a great
device, but you need to learn to listen to your
body as well. Read this page to learn more about some heart rate
monitor training pitfalls.
Heart
Rate Monitor Running Programs
Some running programs for your first 10k or half marathon. Can be used without use of a heart rate monitor as well.
Interested in more heart rate monitor information ?
Then subscribe to my
newsletter
or to my
site blog !
Go
from Most Important Heart Rate Monitor Features to Best Running Tips
Homepage
It's important to be aware of heart health. Today's Women and Health will keep
you up to date on heart health.
Like Your Heart Rate Monitor? Tell Me About It!
Do you really like your Heart Rate Monitor Reviews?
Then take a few minutes to let us know about them. It may help your fellow-readers make their mind up about their Heart Rate Monitor!
Please tell us: Brand and Type of Heart Rate Monitor(incl Men/Women) What you like about your Heart Rate Monitor?
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Garmin Forerunner 310 XT Review Not rated yet Garmin 310XT Review
I was looking for a simple heart rate monitor, but my friend urged me to buy the Garmin 310 XT . He said that I can use it …
Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor Review Not rated yet I just want to tell you a little about my Polar FT7 heart rate monitor.
First off, I'm thankful a friend introduced me to running because I am having …
Garmin 405cx Review Not rated yet I just purchased the Garmin 405CX with Heart Rate Monitor and I am amazed by its powerful features - it's really like a small computer for runners.
…
Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Review Not rated yet Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Review
I have always been a health buff. Even at an early age, I already drafted out an exercise regimen for myself, … Click here to write your own.
Heart Rate Monitor
Finding a bargain: Cheap Heart Rate Monitors
Heart Rate Monitor Reviews:
Best GPS Running Watch |
Polar Heart Rate Monitors
Garmin Heart Rate Monitors |
Nike Heart Rate Monitors
CardioSport Heart Rate Monitors | Mio Heart Rate Monitors
Timex Heart Rate Monitors |
Reebok Heart Rate Monitors
Reviews of Individual Models: Adidas miCoach Pacer Review |
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Review
Garmin Forerunner 110 Review |
Garmin Forerunner 405cx Review
Heart Rate Monitor Training Information:
Heart Rate Monitor Training |
Heart Rate Monitor Training (Karvonen Method)
Heart Rate Monitor Training (Zoladz Method) | Maximum Heart Rate
Rest Heart Rate |
Heart Rate Monitor Training Pitfalls
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