Monitoring Your Heart Rate

Monitoring Your Heart Rate

Taking your pulse manually on your wrist or the carotid artery of your neck is the most basic way to monitor your heart rate. Trainers like more sophisticated methods for checking how closely their clients are working within their target heart rate range and how quickly they recover after an aerobic session, both of which are keys to general fitness and specifically to cardiorespiratory conditioning. For more details on these topics, see Chapter 12, “Your Heart Will Love Aerobic Exercise.” Some high-end,gym-model aerobic apparatus, including treadmills and stationary bicycles, have heart-rate monitors built into the handrails or handlebars by reading through the palms of your hands, but these are far less accurate than personal heart-rate monitors.
Runners, cyclists, and others who are training to improve their cardio-conditioning are usually counseled to use a heart-rate monitor, and trainers increasingly recommend them to people trying to boost their cardio-conditioning. A number of designs from several manufacturers are on the market. You can compare features at running-equipment specialty stores, which usually carry the greatest variety. The most common design for personal heart-rate monitors is an adjustable band that straps around your chest, under your clothing, to monitor your heartbeat as you exercise. It transmits this information to a watchlike console on your wrist. The simplest models provide just real-time readouts at the push of a button, while more sophisticated models allow you to download your workout information onto your computer. Another option is the Heart Talker (1-800-639-5432), which accepts audio commands, calculates the workout program, and provides audio feedback by synthetic voice.