Technology evolves and, in most cases, it becomes a great ally to carry out all your tasks faster and easier. In this way, you can meet the goals you had initially set and be more productive. The world of sports is no exception. If you are a little observant, you will see that more and more people go out to practice exercise with some kind of gadget attached to their body and, if someone does not wear it, it is even strange.
Nowadays, it is common to see quite a few people running or practicing fitness with a smartphone, a heart rate monitor or a smartband -smart quantifying bracelet- on their arm or wrist. Whether you're a seasoned runner, you've been taking aerobics and fitness classes for several months, or you've simply set out to start walking for an hour several days a week, the heart rate monitor is an essential electronic device for detecting your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to physical activity, so you can be more efficient. If you are still not convinced, keep reading this article because I will tell you the reasons to buy one and the advantages when training with it.
A profitable investment for any athlete
Like many other products you have a wide range of prices. To give an example: you have heart rate monitors from 20 euros to some that are around 500 euros. In the vast majority of cases, with a mid-range sports watch that includes the most important features will be enough. A few weeks ago we published on runnea.com Cheap heart rate monitors: 6 models for less than 100 euros.
You may be interested in: 27 heart rate monitors for less than 150 €.
Constantly monitors your heart rate
That is its main utility. Great, but what is it good for? Basically to know your physical condition. Knowing your maximum heart rate will allow you to train optimally by adapting the intensity and pace of each of your sessions. There is a fairly simple mathematical formula that has a certain margin of error to know this parameter, usually abbreviated as HRmax. In the case of men, you have to subtract your age from the number 220. For women, on the other hand, as they tend to have a slightly higher heart rate, it is recommended that you subtract your age from 225.
Optimize your training
Many times you don't know if the training load is excessive or on the contrary, you are a conformist and you retire before time. I assure you that with a heart rate monitor on your wrist this will never happen again. It will be like having a personal trainer but cheaper. Depending on your physical condition, measured through a series of parameters, the heart rate monitor will indicate at all times the intensity of training according to your fitness level and previously defined goals.
Know your effort threshold
The heart rate monitor is able to indicate the training zone or threshold through which you are moving. Depending on the intensity of the session, the effort you are making at a given time and your physical preparation, the heart rate monitor will tell you whether it is advisable to move to a higher effort zone or not.
Helps you achieve your goals
Improving cardiovascular endurance, losing weight or burning a certain number of calories, etc. may be some of the goals you want to achieve. You will compete against yourself. If you train with a heart rate monitor you will reach your goal faster, and you will be able to exercise within a heart rate zone at an appropriate intensity.
Report calorie consumption
Although it is more important to reach your goals than just burning fat and a certain number of calories, it is important to monitor this data in order to see the progression and also in a very precise and accurate way.
You may be interested in: Polar Loop, daily activity and sports meter.
A motivation for your training sessions
It has been proven that training alone is hard. It takes a lot of willpower to be consistent and not fall into demotivation. That's why people who have gone out for a workout with a heart rate monitor on their wrist have never gone out again without it. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, technology can become a great ally and this is one of those cases. The heart rate monitor will be 'honest' with your performance and will give you the extra motivation you need.
