Regular exercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. To get the most out of your workouts, you need to exercise at the proper intensity. Using a Polar heart rate monitor will help your efforts by providing this information as you work out. Exercising using your heart rate is an effective way to gauge the intensity of your workouts, explains the American Heart Association. If taking your pulse while exercising is inconvenient, a heart rate monitor offers a way for you to tap into the power of knowing how your body is responding.
Function
A heart rate monitor functions by measuring your heart rate and displaying the information real-time as you exercise. Some monitors determine your heart rate at your wrist. Others include a chest strap, which transmits the data to a wristwatch display. The features will vary with the particular Polar model. At its most basic, the heart rate monitor will indicate your current heart rate and if you are exercising for health or cardiovascular fitness.
Target Heart Zone
Your target heart zone is the range of heart activity, which is optimal for good health, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. This zone represents between 50 percent to 75 percent of your maximum heart rate. Knowing your target heart zone is of little value if you don't know what your heart rate is while exercising. The Polar heart rate monitor provides this information so you can adjust the intensity of your workout based on your fitness goals.
Benefits
A Polar heart rate monitor can aid your training efforts by giving you feedback regarding the intensity of your workout. If you want to lose weight, you will need to exercise within your target heart zone. If your goal is to increase your cardiovascular fitness, you can exercise up to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. As you exercise, you can view your current heart rate. With some models such as the Polar RS400, you can set an audible alarm so you can keep your focus on your workout.
Training Schedule
The American Council on Exercise recommends exercising in your target heart zone three to five times a week for general good health. With your Polar heart rate monitor, you can track your progress through your own spreadsheet. Alternatively, you can upload your data to the Polar's personal trainer website or plan your workouts through the Polar ProTrainer 5 software. The advantage of tracking your workout sessions is to allow you to set fitness goals.
Types
Polar carries several types of heart rate monitor, which are designed for different health objectives. Your training with the monitor will depend on your selection and goals. The categories of monitors include Get Active, Improve Fitness and Maximize Performance. No matter what your fitness level, there is a heart monitor which is right for you. You can then use the visual feedback to monitor your performance and improve your health.
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