In order to end up with the heart rate monitor best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of heart rate monitors are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a heart rate monitor.
Research the market: Heart Rate Monitor essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the heart rate monitor market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Strap or Strapless: Heart rate monitors divide into two general categories: those that come with a chest strap and those that don't. Monitors that come with the chest strap are ultra accurate, though some people can't stand to have one against their bare skin. Strapless monitors can feel more comfortable, but you have to stop what you're doing and press the buttons if you want to know your heart rate.
Ease of Use: The display should be big enough so that you can easily see the numbers. Does the monitor have a back light for low-light situations? Can you easily access the information you need while you're working out?
Extras: At a minimum, a heart rate monitor should display your heart rate and elapsed time. You can also get a monitor that calculates calories burned, runs a fitness test, uploads your results onto your computer, comes with pre-programmed workouts the list is endless. This is where most people over buy. Choose only the features that meet your needs.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a heart rate monitor. For example, will you use the heart rate monitor for health reasons or are you trying to work out at a certain percentage of your heart rate capacity?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used a heart rate monitor before? |
| | If you have used a heart rate monitor, work out what you did or didn't like about the heart rate monitor. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What is your primary reason for buying a heart rate monitor? |
| | Is it to take your workout to the next level? Perhaps your doctor suggested it. |
| How large is your budget? |
| | A heart rate monitor can have a lot of additional features such as workout programming, calorie consumption tracking, computer upload and download functions. The more features a monitor has the more expensive it will be. |
| How often will you use it? |
| | A heart rate monitor that is inconvenient for you to use will drive you crazy and eventually be left at home. |
| Are you just beginning your exercise regimen or are you an exercise “veteran”? |
| | If you're just getting started with exercise you may not need to complicate your training by using a heart rate monitor. But if you chose to use one make sure you learn what your target heart rate should be. |
| Will you be using the monitor with other people around? |
| | A heart rate monitor can sometimes pick up the signal from another nearby monitor. More expensive heart rate monitors are coded specifically to your monitor and don't pick up the signal from others. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of heart rate monitors and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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