Health and Fitness

Heart rate monitors are an important tool for many athletes and people who exercise. A basic heart rate monitor measures your heart rate while you exercise. Some monitors come with many features like speed, distance, calories burned and wireless data transfer. You need to decide what information you need. If you are a walker or occasional exerciser, you could use a strapless model. To get a reading you will have to stop exercising to take a reading.

Serious exercisers should use a heart rate monitor with a chest strap, because they are more accurate. The chest strap must fit properly, otherwise the readings won’t be precise. Advanced models have the ability to download your workout data to your PC for analysis.

Basic Heart rate Monitors

The Omron HR-100C is a wristwatch monitor with a chest strap transmitter. The transmitter sends data to your wristwatch, which displays the data. The unit is easy to program and is comfortable to wear. It helps maintain a proper heart rate with a high/low heart rate alarm. Other features include a backlight function, time of day display and a daily reminder alarm. Price is about $35.

The Timex Easy Trainer costs about $50. Included is an adjustable chest strap. The battery can be replaced by the owner. The model is easy to use and records workout time automatically. It recalls activity time, average and peak heart rates for your review. The watch also has a 12/24 hour time and month/date function. It is water resistant to 30 meters.

The Polar FS-1 is a basic wrist heart rate monitor. It is a stylish watch that helps you measure your heart rate. A visual and audible alarm is provided when your target heart rate zone is reached. Other features include a stop watch function and time of day. It is water resistant to 50 meters. Price is about $50.