What To Look For
Heart rate watches allow you to get the most efficient results from your exercise, by giving information such as heart rate and number of calories burned. When purchasing a Nike heart rate watch, consider one that comes with a chest strap, as this will give the most accurate information throughout your exercise. These record your heart rate throughout your exercise, whereas the watch itself only records your heart rate based on your pulse, which will only be recorded and displayed when picked up by sensors. The chest strap will send heart rate data to your watch, which when combined with your personal information such as age and weight, can display information like how many calories you have burned. According to Weight Loss Resources, heart rate monitors can help to movitate you by quantifying your excercise sessions by the number of calories burned, time spent exercising, and your average heart rate.
Common Pitfalls
Wearing a heart rate watch means you will be monitoring data about your exercise at arms length, so it's important that your watch has a large and clear display. Models with small buttons may also be difficult to use, and make changing settings while on the move difficult. It is vital that the chest strap fits, otherwise an inaccurate reading is possible. This problem is prevalent among women, as most chest straps are designed for men. Women can wear specifically designed sports bras, with a wide hem to accommodate the transmitter, to combat this problem.
Where To Buy
Sports stores, along with specialised running stores and many gymnasiums, will sell Nike heart rate watches. Some watch and jewelry retailers will sell these products, as will the official Nike online store, and Nike stores worldwide. Look out for special offers which give you free or reduced cost chest straps in addition to the watch. If purchasing in store, ensure that the watch and associated chest strap fits comfortably prior to parting with your cash, as the latter may be difficult to return following exercise due to the presence of sweat particles.
Cost
The cost of Nike heart rate watches depends on the style and specification of the watch, as well as the inclusion of chest straps. The Nike Running SportBand Watch is available from the official Nike online store for $64 (2010 price). This model includes a Nike Sportband, and a Nike sensor, which when placed under your left Nike-ready shoe, measures your pace, distance, time elapsed and calories burned. (See References 1) Official Nike training shoes need to be worn while exercising to utilize the technology fully. There are many other Nike heart rate watches available which do not require you to also purchase the official Nike training shoes.
Insider Tips
For a chest strap to relay accurate data to the watch, it must fit tight to the skin. Chaffing is a common side effect of the chest strap, which can be avoided by applying some sports lubricant underneath your chest strap prior to commencing exercise. Consider a watch with a user-replaceable battery, so that you do not have to send it to Nike for a new battery every time it runs out. When starting a training program, find your maximum heart rate initially, then stay within 50 to 85 percent of this in subsequent sessions, a range known as your target heart rate. Gradually work closer to the higher end of the range to improve your cardiovascular fitness. According to the American Heart Association, you can calculate your approximate maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.
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