Monitoring Your Heart Rate At Once - All About Heart Rate Monitors

By Mikaela Jordan


Losing weight and getting in shape takes a lot of effort. Eating healthy low fat dishes enough is not enough; one needs to also exert effort in doing regular exercises. The intensity and effects of activities can be monitored through the use of a heart rate monitor such as the Polar heart rate monitor. These monitors are available in the market in various shapes, sizes and brands which makes it very important to look his/her options carefully.

Heart rate monitors like the Polar heart rate monitor are used mainly to check ones heart beat. This information can be recorded and be sued for future reference. The numbers produced by these devices are mostly accurate and help medical professionals and athletes check their progress and plan their exercise routines. It can also be used to measure heart strength and endurance.

The year 1977 is the year when heart rate monitors were first introduced. Back then, these devices were known as electrocardiograms or EKG and come with a chest strap transmitter and a wrist receiver. These parts are essential in achieving and receiving accurate heart beat counts. Measurements of heart rate variability, activity, and breathing rate can also be monitored with these devices, most of which are important parameters relating to ones fitness. Microprocessors that could continuously monitor calculates the heart rate and other parameters along with accelerometers which can detect speed and distance are also popular among modern versions of heart rate monitors which may eventually lead to elimination of foot worn devices.

Heart rate monitors offer a lot of benefits to users. They can be used for various purposes including in working out to control weight, tone muscles, build endurance, strengthen your heart, relieve stress or simply maintain good health and fitness. One of its obvious benefits is that it tracks intensity of ones workout and checks if one is exercising in his/her target heart rate zone. It also helps chart ones progression in order to know when it is time to kick up the intensity of your workout. Moreover, having actual figures to gauge ones progress is one great motivation. This kind of useful feedback can keep you excited about your fitness routine, and inspire you to set new goals. Finally, such device is accurate and easy to use. Once you have properly calibrated the heart rate monitor to your specifications, it will track your entire workout from beginning to end.

Given the many benefits that heart rate monitors like the Polar heart rate monitor gives, it is no surprise that more and more players are introduced in the market each day which makes choosing a tedious task. One of the things that can be done before choosing to know the different types of heart rate monitors. This will help you decide the type that will work for you and will therefore limit your options. Once you know the type to choose, be sure to check the features of the monitor. Other than heart rate and elapsed exercise time, one can also consider features such as heart rate zone alarm, timers and others. Finally, shop for how easy it is to use. The numbers should be easy to read, the monitor needs to have a backlight and the buttons need to be labeled.

Achieving and maintaining your targeted heart rate zone during your workout can be easily done with the use of a heart rate monitor like the Polar heart rate monitor. These are essential fitness tools that all fitness buffs need to have.




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