Heart rate monitors work by reading the electrical signals inside your heart using a chest strap. The strap contains a transmitter that sends this information to a watch-like unit that is worn on the wrist. However, heart rate monitors use this data to estimate other useful information that may help you manage your weight, training program or disease.
Disease Management
If you have a medical condition that necessitates exercise but limits how much you can exert yourself, then a heart rate monitor may be right for you. For people with chronic disease, a heart rate monitor can offer increased safety during exercise outside of a medical facility. Many current models allow you to set predefined heart rate limits. They also are available with alarms that sound if or when you exceed those limits.
If you do have a medical condition that warrants the use of a heart rate monitor, it is important that you consult a professional as to what your heart rate, exertion, and exercise session length limitations are. It may also be necessary to adjust those parameters at regular intervals as your condition or fitness levels change.
Weight Management
Heart rate monitors use the data they measure to estimate the number of calories you burn during an exercise session. This information may be useful to you when used as part of a comprehensive weight management program. If you decide to use a heart rate monitor to count calories burned during exercise, know that this number is only an estimate based on your heart rate, age, gender and weight. As your age and weight change, you must remember to update them in your wrist unit to maintain the accuracy of those estimations.
Training Program Management
Modern heart rate monitors contain many features that may be useful to athletes of all levels by helping them better manage their training programs and fitness progression. Common heart rate monitor features compile data that can assist you in tracking your progress, including: target heart rate zone; prediction of VO2 max; split/lap times; and rate of recovery. If your goal is not to improve your fitness level, a heart rate monitor can still help you during exercise sessions. For instance, if you're an outdoor runner/jogger, you can see your rate of exertion and make adjustments in real time without having to use equipment or be in a gym.
Technical Considerations
Some heart rate monitor manufacturers make companion websites for their products. Many of them allow you to download and store your workout data online. Some models also allow you to view recent exercise session information from the wrist unit. They may also be programmed to display motivational messages to encourage you to work out when you haven't used the monitor in some time.
If you plan to use the monitor in a group setting, be sure to find a model that limits cross-talk. This occurs when two people wearing heart rate monitors stand too close to one another and consequently pick up the other person's heart rate instead of their own. To avoid cross-talk, stand at least arm's-length away from others. Consult the user manual of your heart rate monitor for information about exactly how far away to stand from others.
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