Reaching your Potential with Polar Heart Rate Monitors

Your heart rate is the only accurate measurement of the intensity you are working out at. In order to reach your fitness goals, you need to know that you are working out in your target zone according to your heart rate. Using a Polar Heart Rate Monitor is the easiest way to measure your heart rate.

Most Polar models come with a feature that allows you to program your minimum and maximum heart rate into the monitor. While you are running, the monitor will beep if you go outside of your minimum and maximum heart rate levels. I equate running with a heart rate monitor to running with a personal trainer who will tell you when to speed up or slow down.

If you are running at too low an intensity, your fitness level is not improving at all and if you are running at too high an intensity, chances are that you will just burn yourself out and run the risk of injuries. Therefore, the ability of the heart monitor to beep at you when you are running outside your target zone is paramount.

When I bought my first Polar heart monitor, I didn't get this feature and I regretted it afterward. I thought that the beeping coming from the monitor would be annoying, but instead, I had to continually look at the monitor reading on my writst to see what my heart rate was. During an interval, when you use the power of your arms to run faster, it was really inconvenient to look and see if I was in my target heart rate zone. Still other Polar models display your maximum, minimum and average heartrate achieved during your run.

For runners, my picks would be the Polar S625X heart monitor which amongst many other features, this heart monitor also records speed and distance which can be displayed in pace or kmh/mph. The Polar S625X monitor will also record 99 exercise files, which includes total exercise time, time in target zone and average heart rate and all this information can be downloaded to your computer for your running records or analyzing.

Recognizing that heart monitors are not only for runners, Polar has designed many models to choose from with a variety of features. Polar's heart monitors fall into categories for Fitness, Weight Management, Walking, Running, Triathlon, Cycling and Cardiac Rehab. Some include features such as calorie expenditures, great for those trying to lose weight.

You have only one heart, learn how to use it to your advantage. Get the Beat!

About the Author:

Jacquie Barry is a successful freelance writer and the publisher of http://www.online-running-gear.com. Jacquie has enjoyed running for the past 26 years and has successfully completed many marathons and triathlons including Ironman Canada.