Polar Heart Rate Monitors – Options for Cyclists

The Polar watch has become a staple in the fitness industry for runners, walkers, and cyclists. Because Polar heart rate monitors are superior in functioning, durability, and overall effectiveness than most competing brands, they are the most often purchased heart rate monitor for cyclists. There are over 30 different Polar models on the market right now, but the ones used for cycling are those designed to strap onto bike handlebars.

The small computers that all Polar heart rate monitors are equipped with allow cyclists to see a wide variety of feedback on their workouts. Some feedback that is often reported back includes: speed, heart rate, distance, and pacing. Many professional athletes use these monitors because they are the key to getting in effective training sessions that pay off on race day. Many amateur cyclists also use them as a way to determine how much fat they are burning and how high their heart rate is going.

This Polar watch range also gives you functions like calorie expenditure calculator, fitness tests and automatic target zone monitoring function, which presents a perfect training gadget for cross-trainers, beginner triathletes and fitness cyclists as well as cyclists who simply wanted to stay in shape.

The most effective way to use these advanced monitor features is to purchase a watch that can transfer stored data directly to a computer. This allows the cyclist to complete their training session then download the information for analysis into the computer. For instance, a cyclist who has completed a variety of fitness tests to monitor changes in heart rate, stress levels, and recovery levels can download the results of those tests right into their computer and find out a variety of information about that cycling session, including: pedal revs, altitude, total distance, exact route taken, ascents and descents, and the continuous heart rate during the workout.

Polar heart rate monitors can be used no matter what the weather is like outside and they are designed to be very easy to use. This ensures that literally anyone can take advantage of them, regardless of their level of expertise in the market. Interfacing the Polar watch with a computer makes it very simple to analyze the results of fitness tests and even get limited updates for the watch.

All of those functional perks do not mean the Polar monitors are completely flawless. For instance, many users complain that data download speeds are incredibly slow and that there can be some inaccuracies with the reported results. The accuracies often come from the inability of the monitor to pause when the user drops speed, such as stopping for traffic when cycling on a busy road. Since the watch continues counting overall heart rate and speed even though the user has stopped completely, the reported data for average heart rate, speed, and cadence can be incorrect.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the top selling Polar heart rate monitors and the features that set them apart in the market. The Polar CS600X is a great sports watch with GPS, G3 technology, and all of the other basic features of a monitoring watch. The Polar CS300, CS100 and CS200cad report top notch feedback on the body and have a nice cadence sensor. The Polar FT40, FT60 and FT80 are some of the smartest watches currently available and all feature separate models for men and women. The Polar RS800CX is a great model for professional athletes because it practically sees everything going on inside the body. It is a limited edition issue designed especially for professional cyclists.

Different Polar heart rate monitors are suitable for different people, depending on their training routines, their need for consistent motivation, and other features that may be advantageous to different people.

Author Lance Durden is a fitness expert that has been using Polar Heart Rate Monitors for use in his programs since 1995. Try polar heart rate monitors from the top online retailer, and start improving your workouts.

Tags: body computers, cycling, exercise, fitness, heart rate monitors, polar heart rate monitors, polar watch, Running, workout

March 15 2010 | cycling | No Comments »

Do You Really Need A Heart Rate Monitor

At one time, heart rate monitors were mainly used by physicians or nurses to keep track of a patient’s heart rate. It’s all different today. Now. people who are concerned with their health use a monitor because it helps them track their own heart health. Today heart monitors are also used by athletes in many sports or activities to help improve performance.

Heart rate monitors may also referred to as cardiac monitors. Basically, a heart monitor is a piece of electronic equipment used to observe or track various heart functions while the monitor is worn.

When used medically, heart monitors help doctors track a patient’s heart function over a specified period of time. Using this data, they can then compare what they find out and modify the treatment plans if required.

Heart rate monitors are no longer limited to only medical uses. Heart monitors are used by athletes who are involved in a lot of different sports or activities. Each specific model includes specific features depending on the activity it’s being used for.

For instance, some monitors have been designed to be used alongside a weight loss program. There are also heart rate monitors that can be used in fitness programs or by athletes.

The majority of heart monitors have two parts; one part transmits information and the other part receives information. Most heart rate monitors come with a strap that is to be worn around the chest. It’s important for the strap to fit snugly in order to get accurate readings. On the inside of the strap is the device used to detect the electrical activity of the heart.

Readings are transmitted to the watch part of the monitor which is usually worn on the wrist for easy viewing. These heart monitor watches display the readings and then store them for future reference.

There is no doubt that heart rate monitors using chest straps do give the most accurate results, but some people are not able to wear them comfortably. You do have an alternative to this type of monitor.

Strapless heart rate monitors allow you to closely monitor your heart even without wearing a chest strap. The wrist heart rate monitor is designed so that the sensors that are located on the watch do the work that would normally take place through the strap. Simply place your finger on the sensor and the reading will show up on the watch.

Heart rate monitors continue to become more and more popular, as more and more people start using them. Whether you want to monitor your heart rate for medical purposes, or you’d just like to get more out of your workout, heart monitor watches can come in handy.

Whether you are a serious athlete or a casual exerciser, heart monitor watches can help boost performance and improve fitness levels. Although monitors are designed to be worn by anyone, women may find it more comfortable wearing a wrist heart rate monitor.

categories: heart monitors,heart monitor watches,watches,exercise equipment,fitness equipment,health and fitness,recreation and sports,running,sports,heart health,weight loss,athletics,cycling,healthy living

Tags: athletics, cycling, exercise equipment, fitness equipment, health and fitness, healthy living, heart health, heart monitor watches, heart monitors, recreation and sports, Running, sports, watches, weight loss

March 12 2010 | cycling | No Comments »