Monday, October 19, 2009

Choosing The Right Heart Rate Monitor

By Henry Calhoun

There are many things that will influence your choice in a heart rate monitor. You should take time when choosing a monitor since your ultimate goal should be to find one that is comfortable to use and accurate. You want to consider the style of the monitor and the features so you can get the one that will compliment your exercise style.

Heart rate monitors come with a variety of features. Some features are for convenience and some are to improve the quality of the monitor. Some monitors store information so you can keep records of your workout and track your progress. Some have timers that allow you to know how long you have stayed in your target heart rate zone. You can get monitors that are water resistant, include calculators and even those that double as a watch.

Deciding between the many styles of monitors is yet another consideration to make. Not all have the same purpose and some are designed for specific sports, like running, whereas others are comfortable like the wristwatch style monitor or those chest models that are strapless.

There are many brand names of heart rate monitors and this is another factor to keep in mind. Some brand names are just expensive because of the name and other brands have a good reputation and are known for making high quality heart rate monitors. Keep this in mind before spending a lot of money on a monitor that might not be right for you.

A budget should also be set before going out to purchase a heart rate monitor. Many of the good monitors are affordable, but unfortunately some are just cheap and poorly made. Saving the most money does not necessarily make a monitor a good value and so always keep all the other factors in mind before making a final decision.

Before you start to shop for a heart rate monitor you should first do some research. It is important to first know what a monitor can do, how it functions and what all the options available are. It is also a good idea to test out a model. There are in-store demonstrations and many gyms have monitors that you can use. By testing out a model you will know if you like the fit and if it works for you.

Finally, before doing anything with your new heart rate monitor you have to read all the documentation that comes with it. Not even the best model available on the market will work if you can't use it right. The majority of heart rate monitors come with instructions and these tell you about the features and how place it correctly.

Never choose just any heart rate monitor. If you want all the benefits, such as improving your exercise sessions and avoiding over-exertion, then you should choose carefully. The right monitor will only improve your workouts and help you get the best results.

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