Strapless Heart Rate Monitor

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

Strapless heart rate monitor does not require one to wear a strap on the chest to get heart rate reading. Conventional heart rate monitor requires a strap to be worn on the chest. The strap has built-in sensors to pick up electrocardiogram signals and transmits them to a wrist unit. The wrist unit will display the heart rate reading.

For most strapless heart rate monitor, you just have to place two fingers on the sensor poles of the watch whenever you want to know your heart rate. The heart rate reading will be displayed after you touch the sensor for a few seconds. However, with these units you cannot have a continuous reading of your heart rate. Moreover the measurement is not as accurate as the conventional heart rate monitors.

Although strapless heart rate monitor does not has the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a strap on the chest, it is found to be unsuitable for most people who needs more accurate reading and continuously monitor their heart rate. It might be suitable for people who just want to check their heart rate occasionally. To get the heart rate reading on a strapless heart rate monitor while you are exercising, you will need to slow down or even stop altogether to have the reading. This usually caused the reading to be inaccurate.

So for people who really want to train and improve their fitness level, it is better to have a traditional heart rate monitor rather than a strapless heart rate monitor. A traditional heart rate monitor can provide accurate real time information for you to know how well you are doing in your work out. It will also help you to keep a consistent pace in training. Most of the traditional heart rate monitors have more advance features than strapless heart rate monitor.

In order to benefit from using a heart rate monitor, it is important to choose an appropriate unit with the right features for the type of sport or exercise that you are enjoying. Researching online may help you find the right one.

strapless heart rate monitor

Strapless Heart Rate Monitor

If you still prefer a strapless heart rate monitor, you may want to take a look at the Impact Sports ePulse strapless heart rate monitor (picture left) at  Amazon.com.

  • ePulse is the world’s first armband-only continuous heart rate monitor and calorimeter.
  • ePulse is worn around  the forearm and can provide continuous heart rate monitoring.
  • Shows current heart rate, maximum and minimum heart rates, and average heart rate
  • Calculates calories burned based on personal profile and heart rate
  • Includes fat burning and cardio target zones; powered by AAA batteries

The ePulse works by integrating light sensor and microchip technology–the same type used in hospital heart rate monitors–to accurately read the pulse from the forearm.

In addition, the ePulse handles a number of basic calculations, including elapsed exercise time, average heart rate, and minimum and maximum heart rates. People with specific training goals can further use the ePulse to calculate optimal heart rate exercise zones for both burning fat and boosting cardio conditioning. The ePulse will then provide a target high and low range for your heart rate, with a green LED light telling you when you’re in the target zone.

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Train More Effectively with a Heart Rate Monitor

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

The invention of the heart rate monitor has come as a god send for those cannot afford a personal coach. Professional sport persons always have the luxury of a paid for personal coach to help them out in training. For armatures, an expensive personal coach is out of reach. Today’s heart rate monitor has made it convenient for athletes of all levels to plan their training without paying for a high priced trainer. It’s second best to having a personal coach.

With the help of a heart rate monitor:

  • You can plan your training accordingly.
  • You can know hard you need to train.
  • You can know how long you need to train.
  • You can know how much effort to put in to achieve you training goal.
  • You can know when to start and when to stop.
  • You can analyze your performance and progress with the data recorded.
  • You can train more effectively with the analysis.

Training more effectively with the help of a heart rate monitor will eventually produce better result for whichever sport you are training on. But, first of all, you must get a heart rate monitor that is suitable for the kind of sport you are pursuing. There are various brand and models with different features for different sports. Read this post to learn more.

One important thing you need to know when using a heart rate monitor is your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate (HRmax) is the highest number of beats per minute you can achieve (withstand) when you are going all out. One easy way to get your HR(max) is subtracting your age from the number 220. This is just a rough estimate, it varies depending on individual’s fitness level and health condition.

After getting your maximum heart rate, you will need to train within your heart rate target zone. Your heart rate target zone is in the range of 60 to 80 per cent of your maximum heart rate. With the help of a heart rate monitor, you will be able to train more effectively by staying within your target zone with the continuous monitoring of your heart rate. With regular training and improvement on fitness level, eventually your maximum heart rate and heart rate target zone will increase.

To get result, regular training and increasing the intensity of training gradually is important. Don’t ever over-trained and hurt yourself. Overly aggressive training may cause unfounded injuries that may have long term side effects in the future.

With a heart rate monitor, you should be able to take total control of your training. By following strictly to a plan based on data recorded during your work outs, you will reap the benefits one day.

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Jogging Tips For Beginners

Posted on September 9, 2011 by


Jogging is not only one of the best ways to burn fat and lose weight, it also makes your heart and lungs stronger. You can jog almost anywhere and just about any time you want. It is an effective and inexpensive sport. Try to pick up some jogging tips before you start.

Beginners’ Jogging Tips

Before you go out and jog, get yourself a pair of comfortable shirt and pants and a pair of good jogging shoe. You should be able to get these at your local sport apparels store. Ask the store assistant to assist you to get something suitable.

Another piece of device which you shouldn’t go without is a heart rate monitor (click on the link to learn more if you don’t know what is a heart rate monitor). If you can’t get one at your local store, you can get one at Amazon.com.

Choosing your jogging venue is very important. High traffic area is not suitable because of air pollution. Find a place with a lot of greens which will supply plenty of fresh air and oxygen. Before you start, warm yourself up for at least 10 minutes. Warming up slowly will help your body muscle to loosen and get ready for the work out. Warming up properly also reduce the risk of injuries.

Set your pace with the heart rate monitor. Start with the lowest intensity level and gradually move onto the next level when you are ready. Never over stressed yourself especially for your first jogging session. Just keep it easy and jog on as long as you feel comfortable. Cool yourself down slowly when you want to quit.

Keep at this pace for a few days or more. Step up the intensity when your fitness level improved. Just keep going this way and jog regularly and you will see yourself getting into a good shape. Remember, faster is not always better. What you want is consistency and improvement on endurance gradually.

Make good use of your heart rate monitor and enjoy good health with these jogging tips.

 

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Heart Rate Training

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

What is heart rate training?

Heart rate training is exercise or work out based on an individual’s maximum heart rate and train in the range of your heart rate target zone with the help of a heart rate monitor continuously monitoring your heart rate. It is excellent for athletes who want to train to improve endurance. It is also good for people who want to lose a few pounds and for people who want to keep a healthy life.

Based on your heart rate, you can set the pace and intensity levels of your work out without being over-trained. Before beginning heart rate training, you need to know your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate (HRmax) is the highest number of beats per minute you can achieve (withstand) when you are going all out. One easy way to get your HR(max) is subtracting your age from the number 220. This is just a rough estimate, it varies depending on individual’s fitness level and health condition.

Your first session of heart rate training will be based on your maximum heart rate and your heart rate target zone. Your heart rate target zone is ranged from 60 to 80% of your maximum heart rate. Plan your first session with these figure and get more accurate data with your heart rate monitor. With the actual data recorded with your heart rate monitor, you can now design a better training plan.

With the help of the heart rate monitor, your heart rate training can now move slowly from one level to another. As your maximum heart rate and target zone improved, you can step-up your training to a higher level of intensity. Repeat these steps over and over and you will see your performance improve with every training session.

The important thing about heart rate training is never over trained or over stressed yourself to prevent injuries. As long as you train regularly and increase the intensity gradually, improvement should follow naturally.

To learn more technical details about heart rate training, read this article by six-time Ironman Hawaii winner Mark Allen.

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Timex Heart Rate Monitor

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

Timex heart rate monitor started it’s debut in 1986 with the introduction of its “Ironman Triathlon®” which went on to become America’s best selling watches within a year. Timex was established back in 1580 with the company name Waterbury Clock making shelf and mantel clocks developed in Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley, known during the nineteenth century as the “Switzerland of America.”

The success of the “Ironman Triathlon®” has led Timex to diversify into a full-line of sport watches for men and women. From then on, investment in developments and innovations have made Timex heart rate monitor one of the leading products in the market.

Timex Ironman Men’s Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Heart Rate Monitor

Timex Ironman Men's Road Trainer

  • Mid-sized fitness training watch with heart rate monitor and comprehensive training tools
    • Digital transmission prevents cross-talk with other monitors and electronic equipment
    • Preset a target heart rate zone with six ranges; analyze time in/out of zone, recovery time, peak heart rate, and average heart rate
    • 100-hour chronograph with lap and split; 50-lap memory; 100-hour, 2-mode countdown timer; alarm with 5-minute backup
    • INDIGLO night-light with NIGHT-MODE; owner-replaceable battery; Data Recorder 2 and Data Recorder compatible; water resistant to 100 meters

Most heart rate monitors use what is called an analog signal. While these are usually quite accurate, Timex has developed a more accurate technology. This technology, the FM technology, is more accurate than the analog signals and will give you an accurate reading of your heart rate that may only be off by two or three beats a minute. This new technology is digital, and since it is digital you do not have to worry about crosstalk or getting interference from those around you who are also using heart rate monitors. You can be sure that the readings you get with this monitor are always accurate and you can rely on this information.

Some of these heart rate monitors made by Timex also have other great features as well. Some of them have special sensors that will keep track of the distance, as well as your speed. These Timex monitors actually use a special GPS system to calculate the time and the distance you have done.

All  these features set Timex apart from other makers of heart rate monitor. They are a step above the rest of the competitions. If you looking for accuracy, advance features and affordable prices, Timex is what you are looking for.

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