What To Look For
A heart rate monitor used for exercise is an effective way to gauge how well you are training. At their simplest, they measure your heartbeat per minute, and with bells and whistles they may measure your race pace, how many calories you are burning and have a stop watch. The best monitors will have comfortable chest strap with the sensor that does not slip while wearing it and a wristwatch that is easy to read and easy to use.
Common Pitfalls
The difference between a swimming and running heart rate monitor is that the one used for swimming must be water resistant. Most monitors are water resistant as the chest strap sits right against the skin, which can sweat. It is the wrist portion of the monitor that must be waterproof.
The size of the chest strap and size of the wrist monitor are also important. If they are too big, neither will be comfortable to wear, and if too small and they cannot be used properly.
Where To Buy
Heart rate monitors are available at sporting goods stores or speciality running stores. Online websites also carry heart rate monitors, with detailed information about the different monitors. PolarUSA.com offers the most monitors of any company with over 20 different models to chose from.
Cost
The price of heart rate monitors has a wide variable, depending upon the features of the monitor. A basic no-frills version can run around $30 and one with dozens of features including how far you run or swim, the ability to track calories, being able to download information to a computer, may run upwards of $300. If you are a serious athlete, the more features a monitor has may be very useful to your training. If you simply want to keep track of how hard you are working then one with fewer features will suffice.
Comparison Shopping
A monitor for running will have a chest strap and wristwatch that measures heartbeat per minute. A stopwatch may also be included and a clock and calendar. The buttons on the wristwatch should be easy to use while running and the display easy to read while being active.
For a swimming monitor, the buttons should be even easier to read, as the swimmer will be reading it through goggles and the water. While a monitor is water resistant, it is not recommended that you manipulate the buttons underwater but do that while the wrist is above water. Both types of monitors need to have comfortable nonslip chest straps that can stay put during the rigors of exercise.
Heart rate monitors are also made for either men or women, with smaller or larger wrist watches and chest straps.
Accessories
Monitors can have all sports of additional features, including a GPS system, compatibility with your computer to store and track results, a dehydration monitor, time spent in a target heart rate zone, and an interval timer. Adidas and Polar have teamed up with a shirt-shoe monitor combination that tells you everything about your running stride, how long your workout was and how far you went. The only drawback is that you have to purchase the shirt, shoe, shoe sensor and heart rate monitor separately and the integrated system runs over $650.
Insider Tips
When purchasing a monitor make sure that it is a style that allows you to change the batteries yourself. Some models must be returned to the manufacturer to have the batteries replaced, leaving you without your monitor for several weeks.
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