Which heart rate monitor to choose for running?

The market for sporting goods is currently very wide and saturated. One of the most popular items is a heart rate monitor for running. To choose the right device, you must first understand their varieties and purpose, as well as consider the most popular models.

Appointment of the device

It is easy to guess that a heart rate monitor is needed to measure your heart rate. The frequency of the heartbeat should tell the athlete whether he is moving in the right direction and whether or not to strengthen or, conversely, weaken the training. Excessive exercise will lead to an uncontrolled increase in heart rate and, as a consequence, to a decrease in the effectiveness of training. Moreover, a disregard for heart palpitations can lead to unpleasant illnesses and injuries.

To achieve a better result, it is necessary to ensure that the heart rate remains in the range of the so-called “target zone”, located between the lower and upper threshold of the training heartbeat.

The upper threshold is usually calculated by the Martti Carvonen method. This method involves calculating the maximum heart rate according to the formula MCHSS = 220 - N, where N is the person's age.

For women, the number 226 is sometimes used as the first term.

Running with a heart rate monitor

Heart rate measurement is simply necessary for interval or cardio workouts. However, strength training will also include tracking heart rate. The low intensity of such training is more than offset by their severity.

Running on the ground with a heart rate monitor is one of the most common examples of using this device.

The heart rate monitor can be useful not only to athletes, but also to ordinary people who monitor their hearts. This is especially true for people with severe heart disease.

Depending on the purpose of training, the level of loads should be in different ranges:

• Restorative workouts that strengthen the cardiovascular system. Light workout or exercise (50-60%).
• Fat burning and light endurance training (60-70%).
• Training endurance and stroke volume of the heart. Increased aerobic exercise (70-80%).
• The increase in power indicators. Heavy explosive training. (80-90%).
• Increased load. Athlete speed training. (90-100%).

The percent ranges given are calculated based on the maximum heart rate.

Types of devices

Modern heart rate monitors can be mounted on various parts of the human body, from the earlobe to the traditional forearm. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

Also, the heart rate monitor can be both with an external sensor and can be a single device. And if the first group needs to transfer data to additional equipment, such as a smartphone or fitness bracelet, then the second can work completely independently.

Many running heart rate monitors are gps devices. This feature allows you to track your running intensity, distance traveled, and calories burned.

Under the influence of customer reviews and ratings, the top of the best running heart rate monitors has already been formed. We list some of them.

Polar

POLAR recently occupied its niche in the field of heart rate monitors for running. However, in this short time, she was able to please her clients with several very successful models.

Heart Rate Monitor Polar H10

One of the latest developments is the H10 heart rate monitor. He took all the best from the previous H7 model and brought a bit of modern technology. Significantly reduced the weight of the gadget, which increased its convenience.The weight of the H10 is only 60 g with the fastening belt.

This heart rate monitor is a chest and attached to the body with a special non-slip tape with a reliable clasp. Additional sensors built into the belt reduce the error and allow you to get very accurate data in real time.

Battery life has also increased to 400 hours due to a new more capacious battery. The range of operating temperatures has expanded and now the sensor can operate at - 10 degrees. The tightness of the structure allows it to fall under water by almost 30 meters.

Data is transmitted via Bluetooth to a smartphone or fitness bracelet.

An additional bonus is the ability to save data about one training session in the internal memory. Prices for this model rarely exceed 6500 rubles.

Another popular POLAR heart rate monitor model is the OH1. The sensor is mounted on the forearm or wrist. Heart rate is determined using an innovative 6-diode sensor. Data is also transferred to a special application on smartphones.

A very small sensor was able to include in its functionality not only a battery for 12 hours of battery life, but also a memory for 200 hours of the training process.

The cost of this model is approximately 5600 rubles.

Garmin hrm tri

The gadget is a chest sensor that transmits information about the heartbeat to a special watch using ANT + technology. The watch associated with the sensor is also manufactured by Garmin.

Heart Rate Monitor Garmin Hrm Tri

One of the disadvantages of using this device is the difficulty of transmitting data under water. For swimmers, this can be a decisive factor, but the problem is solved by writing data to memory and their subsequent transfer already to the surface. The internal memory is designed for 20 hours of training process.

An additional bonus is the presence of a pedometer, as well as a special system of multi-user services that provide the opportunity to share the results achieved. The price of the device starts from 7500 rubles.

Sigma

Sigma also produces excellent heart rate monitors that have won the trust of experienced athletes. Devices of this brand are considered the most popular of all heart rate monitors.

The functionality of the device includes:

• Calorie sensor.
• A program that helps you develop the most effective workout plan.
• Multilingual interface.
• Heart rate data is taken from three points on the body, which significantly reduces the error.

Sigma Heart Rate Monitor

The Sigma heart rate monitor, among other things, can function as a regular watch with a stopwatch and date. The waterproof case will protect against unwanted external influences. An additional feature is the dial backlight, sometimes so necessary during evening workouts. It costs a device within 4000 rubles.

The company also has not such budget options for heart rate monitors. They are equipped with additional features and are designed for very discriminating customers. For example, the Sigma PC 22.13 model differs from those listed above using digital information transfer. Together with the standard functionality, the price of the model is slightly higher and amounts to about 4600 rubles.

The Sigma PC 26.14 model also uses a digital transmitter, but it is also supplemented by a lap count function, expanded memory and the ability to summarize weekly totals. As a result, the price of the device reaches 6,000 rubles.

Beurer

This company produces two main types of heart rate monitors: chest and wrist with contact.

Among the breastplates, the most notable models are the PM25 and PM45 line devices.

Both heart rate monitors have all the necessary functionality and differ, perhaps, only in the configuration. Additional bracelets, coasters and cases come with a more expensive version. Prices for models 4000 and 7000 rubles, respectively.

The Beurer PM15 arm heart rate monitor, costing 3200 rubles, differs from its fellow PM18 in the absence of a calorie counter and some more functions. Their need is assessed by the user himself, choosing a model. Having chosen the greatest functionality, you will have to pay 1000 rubles more. Heart rate measurement occurs when your fingers come in contact with a special sensor. This method may seem rather inconvenient to someone, but the device found its fans.

Beurer Heart Rate Monitor

Mio

A distinctive feature of this device is the absence of the need to use a chest sensor. The heart rate monitor is wrist and completely self-sufficient. The ultra-precise optical sensor makes it possible to more than provide a small error. The price of the device is about 5000 rubles.

Heart Rate Monitor Mio

Wahoo Fitness TICKR X

This heart rate monitor highlights the fact that data can be transmitted from it to the receiving device in two ways: Bluetooth and ANT +. This greatly expands the scope of its use.

Wahoo Heart Rate Monitor

The device counts not only the pulse, but also the calories spent and training time. The device has its own memory, as well as the ability to synchronize with a smartphone or fitness bracelet.

The company has also developed its own application, which can provide invaluable assistance in planning classes. Water resistance is present, but not noticeable: only up to 1.5 meters. The cost of the device is in the range from 4500 to 4800 rubles.

Nexx HRM-02

Perhaps one of the most budgetary heart rate monitors from those presented. The functionality is not too rich, but novice athletes will be enough with a head. The chest sensor associated with any smartphone is an embodiment of laconicism and minimalism. What you need, without distractions for nothing. The price is also very pleasing to the eye: 1,500 rubles.

Ozaki O! Fitness Fatburn

Continuing the topic of low-cost devices, we present the product of Chinese manufacturers. The functionality is wide, here it even includes a voice instructor and its own application. The price of the heart rate monitor is near the mark of 1000 rubles. The disadvantages of the model include a relatively large weight of 140 g.

Ozaki O! Fitness Fatburn Heart Rate Monitor

A brief review revealed the abundance of pulse-measuring devices in the market for sports equipment. This allows each athlete to choose exactly what they need. The most accurate heart rate monitor determined by the following criteria:

• Universality.
• Independence from weather conditions.
• A large number of measurement zones.
• Small error.

All these criteria are somehow embodied in all devices and the selection of a suitable heart rate monitor for running should be based on the athlete’s real goals.