When doing fitness training, many people observe time, distance, and pace parameters to gauge their workout. However, these parameters are blunt when a fitness enthusiast wants to understand what is happening in their bodies. This is why a more advanced tool such as a heart rate monitor is required.
To remain healthy and fit, the goal should not be simply to run more or work harder. Rather, you should target smart workouts using a heart rate monitor. For example, at times you might want to keep the heart rate low to burn fat or pace for longer workouts such as stamina-building workouts.
When you set out looking for a heart rate monitor, it is possible to get confused because of the different versions in the market. This review takes a closer look at the top five heart rate monitors in the market.
Top Five Heart Rate Monitors
Here are the top five heart rate monitors that you should consider in 2019:
Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker
The Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker is a great piece because it provides an around-the-clock evaluation of your health. For example, it will tell you how much you are exercising and sleeping.
The tracker not only measures the heart rate progressively using the wrist pulse points, but it also tracks all day activities. It records how many steps you took, the calories burnt, sleep, and provides reminders that it is time to move if you have been stationary for too long.
This tracker provides 15 different types of exercise modes such as swimming, biking, and running. This means that you can easily tune to the right mode to achieve the targeted fitness targets easily. It is also waterproof so that you can comfortably use it even on the water activities.
To match your style, the heart rate monitor is available in different colors. The bands are also interchangeable to match your style.
Garmin Forerunner 235
Germin Forerunner 235 is another top choice tracker for both outdoor and indoor fitness training. It is a wrist-based heart rate monitor that helps to track the heart rate continuously and distance using GPS. This means that you can easily tell how far you have traveled after some time or the entire day
Like the Fitbit monitor, this device also measures the user’s activity levels including the steps walked and the burnt calories. It also provides smart notifications that help you to view texts and emails without drawing the phone. This means that you can continue with fitness training without distractions.
Though the monitor is very easy to use, you need to ensure that its battery is charged every 11 hours of training. However, it can go for a maximum of 9 days if the monitor is used for non-training activities such as heart-rate monitoring and notifications.
Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor & Fitness Tracker
Unlike the Fitbit monitor that is fitted on the wrist, the Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor & Fitness Tracker is worn on the chest. It is important to note that chest worn monitors are considered more accurate compared to the wrist models.
Though the chest-worn monitors are considered difficult to use, the Polar H7 is different. The adjustable and soft fabric strap is comfortable and does not strip. Even if you get wet, the monitor will still remain in position.
The monitor provides accurate and live heart rate to selected training apps via Bluetooth. This makes it easy to analyze personal workouts to establish if your fitness goals are being realized.
To make more from the Polar H7, make sure to charge the battery after every training session. Besides, it is advisable to store the battery and the device separately.
Bowflex EZ Pro Heart Rate Monitor Watch
For people who love wearing watches, a time-piece that doubles as a heart rate monitor will be a worthy investment. On such option is the Bowflex EZ Pro Heart Rate Monitor Watch.
The conventional clock face allows you to track time during the day while the touch technology easily pulls out the heart rate reading. The watch is also water resistant so that you can use it to monitor heart rate even when swimming without damaging it.
Other important features of the watch include a calendar, alarm, and 100-hour stopwatch. To match with your style, the watch is available in red, white, teal, black and khaki colors.
Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds with Built-in Heart Rate Monitor
If you love listening to music, one of the great heart rate monitors to consider is the Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds. The earpieces use advanced technology that tracks the heart rate through the inner ear. This means that you can track the heart rate as you listen to music. What a great combination especially when running in the field!
These earpieces are designed to make music more enjoyable. They help to cancel passive noise and shut the surrounding so that you can enjoy music more. This means that the noise around you will not be a distraction from your work.
The only issue with the Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds is that it can only track the heart rate when worn on the ears. This means that if you are doing other tasks that require communication to people or concentration, a different monitor might be more effective.
Tips for Selecting the Best Heart Rate Monitor
Having looked at the top five heart rate monitors in the market; “How do you pick the ideal one for your situation?” Here are some useful tips to consider:
- Go for the monitor that is comfortable to use and easy to read results.
- Only buy the heart rate monitor that is accurate and reliable.
- To get more value for money, consider heart rate monitor that is infused together with other devices such as headphones or watch.
- Select the heart rate monitor designed to last for a longer period.
- Go for the design that can easily connect to other devices such as computer for further data analysis.
Conclusion
If you want to achieve your fitness targets easily, the first step is ensuring to understand how the heart works. By measuring the heart rate, you can easily tone or adopt the right exercises that deliver the results you want. To get more from the heart rate monitor, the pieces selected above can help you to measure multiple fitness parameters. Make sure to also follow the tips for selecting the heart rate monitor selection tips to help you pick the ideal option.