The Best Heart Rate Monitor For Fitness

Sometimes, it can be hard to gauge whether you're working out as hard as you should be. For optimal results from your exercise routine, you should work out to maintain a heart rate that's within the maximum range for your body. While you're in the middle of cardio or pumping weights, the last thing you want is to sit down and manually count your pulse with a finger pressed against your neck. Thankfully, heart rate monitors can give you your heart rate with a quick glance.

Timex Personal Trainer Heart Rate Monitor T5G971

The heart rate monitor from Timex comes recommended by "Consumer Reports" magazine after the publication tested a dozen monitors. It comes in the body of what looks like a traditional watch, but connects wirelessly to a monitor that you strap to your chest. Features include an alarm, which beeps once you've hit your targeted heart rate, as well as a workout review feature that saves your past heart rate activity so you can compare yourself to previous workouts.

CycleOps Joule 2.0

CycleOps' heart rate monitor won an editors' choice award from "Bicycling" magazine, the publication's highest honor. It combines a basic heart rate monitor with more advanced features, including monitors that keep tabs of your temperature and energy burned during your exercise. You can also store the distance you've run or ridden during your workout if you're exercising outdoors. "Buy it," advises the magazine's editors, "if you crave ultimate training knowledge."

Polar FT60

Polar's personal trainer computer was praised by a marathon writer reporting to the "New York Times." She suggested it was one of the best for runners and recreational athletes, praising features like the ability to set weekly training goals. It's also water-resistant up to a depth of 30 meters, so you can wear it while swimming -- a joint-friendly cardio exercise. You can even connect the heart monitor to your Mac or PC to download your workout progress.

Bhip Heart Rate Monitor

Many heart rate monitors cost hundreds of dollars, but BikeRadar.com praised this model for its budget-friendly price -- about $40 in 2011 -- that doesn't skimp on features. The site's editors gave it a high 4.5 stars out of five. The reviewing editor from "Cycling Plus" magazine liked features such as its flashing arrow symbols that let you know if you need to work harder or slow down to achieve your target heart rate. You can also purchase add-ons like a connection cable that lets you sync the device with your computer.