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Heart rate monitors are an essential piece of exercise equipment for many athletes, and with the many extra features there are many more things they can do other than tell you your heart rate. Below is a list of some of the features you should look out for if you are looking to buy a heart rate monitor. There are a range of Heart Rate Monitors available for sale in the fitness store.

Heart Rate Monitor Features

• measuring heart rate - a heart rate monitor is just one of the methods for measuring heart rate. This often involves a transmitter attached to a belt worn around the chest which sends a signal to the receiver worn on the wrist like a watch. The current heart rate can be displayed, usually averaged over the last few samples to remove any spikes due to poor transmitter connection or other interference, often heightened due to the movement of exercise.
• training zones and alarms - heart rate monitors are useful to monitor your training intensity. A feature often included with a heart rate monitor is the ability to set training zones, and then it will sound an alarm when you go below or exceed the pre-determined target heart-rate zone.
• record and review - Many heart rate monitors are able to record the heart rate values to be reviewed later, either by looking at the values on the watch, or downloaded the values to a computer. Not only will second by second heart rate be available, you may be able to see the average and maximum heart rate for an exercise period, and to compare your heart rate responses between training sessions. Software installed on your computer may be required to analyze this data.
• timing - heart rate monitors also usually include the usual stopwatch functions such as lap and slip times, so you can time your workouts, and coincide events during the training session with heart rate changes.
• pedometer - usually a separate device, a pedometer is used to count steps, and from that the distance covered can be calculated. This would be useful information to combine with the heart rate data.
• and more - you may also find these features on some heart rate monitors: calories burned, time in zones, fitness test, and pre-programed workouts.

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Related Pages

• Heart Rate Monitors - How do they work?
• The Karvonen Formula and Heart Rate Range Table — use this table to help you set your training intensity based on your heart rate level.
• All About Heart Rate and Exercise
• A comparison of various methods for measuring heart rate
• Heart Rate Monitors for sale.