Christmas Gift Guide to Heart Rate Monitors

Whether you are a coach potato who has decided to start and exercise program; or a seasoned runner who wants to get the most out of his daily run you can find the right heart monitor to fit your needs.

There is wide variety of heart monitors on the market. They range in price from around $30 to $200+. This is a guide that can help you decide which style and brand is right for you.

If you are just starting out or you have budget concerns, you probably are looking for an inexpensive yet accurate model. Here are my choices for heart rate monitors priced $100 or less.

For $38.77 at Walmart, you can purchase an Oregon Scientific Smart Heart, Heart rate monitor. This light weigh model comes with a strap so that you can get an accurate measure of your heart rate. It not only keeps track of your heart beat, it also lets you know how many calories have been burned during your workout. You can program it to alert you to when you have reached both your minimum and maximum heart rate goals. If you are a beginner and do not know what your ideal heart rate should be, you can check out this website for an easy to use calculator: http://www.cigna.com/healthinfo/tx4374.html Also, remember that it is important to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Reebok makes a heart rate monitor that retails at about $40. It is a strapless model that also functions as a watch. It includes a stop watch, high and low alarms and a countdown feature.

Another good inexpensive model is the Mio Classic Select. For $60 you get a sports watch that helps you keep track of your heart rate and the calories that you have burned. The Mio company has an online support center for people interested in fitness and weight loss. You can visit their site at http://www.miowatch.com/3500-calorie-club-learn-how-burn-3500-calories.

Timex offers a waterproof sports watch that doubles as a heart rate monitor for under $70. I would recommend the zone trainer digital heart rate monitor for people interested in a basic unit. This HRM is available online at Target http://www.target.com

One common problem with low end models is that if you are in a gym, you may receive interference from other people's HRMs. If this will be a problem for you, you might want to raise your price range. Below is a list of models priced at $106 and above:

Polar is a recognized name in heart rate monitors. Here is a list of some of their best models:

The Polar f6 costs about $106 and is available at local retailers such as Walmart. This model features continuous heart rate monitoring, protection from interference from like devices, a pointer that sets out your ideal target rate and a calorie counter. It is also waterproof.

For just a few dollars more (about $120) you can get the F7 model which provides many of the same features as the f6 but also includes a program that monitors your body's daily condition. This allows you to determine whether you should perform a low intensity or high intensity workout.

At around $220 you can purchase Polar's FT60. This not only monitors your heart rate; it also monitors your fitness level. A program within the watch provides weekly targets and gives you feedback on how you are doing. This model is also available at retail shops.

For the serious endurance athlete, Polar offers the RS400 Running multisport. Available for purchase at their website: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/running_multisport/RS400/. This model sells for $269.95. It not only monitors your heart rate but it comes with software that helps you personalize your workout. With this model you can personalize your display.

If you are a runner, no matter what level, you may be interested in the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Personal Training Unit With Heart Rate Monitor. This not only keep track of your heart rate; it also keeps track of how far, how fast and how many calories you burn during your run. It includes a GPS device that allows you to outline your course and keep track of your times. You can link to an online program to get a detailed analysis of your workout. For more information about this or other Garmin fitness devices go to their website at:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=349&ra=true

From couch potato to serious athlete, there is a heart monitor right for you.