Why You Should Buy a Heart Rate Monitor
Every day, more and more athletes are purchasing heart rate monitors which, before long, will become essential parts of their training regimens. A heart rate monitor lends a level of precision to a training program which can not be found any other way, and increase both the safety and effectiveness of a workout.
Training in the Zone
Different ranges of heart rates, measured in beats per minute, are referred to as "zones". Within these different zones, the body behaves in different ways. For example, when training at around 50-60% of your maximum heart rate, as much as 85% of the calories that are burned will be from stored fat. Meanwhile, because it is likely that you will not be working as hard as you would be without a heart rate monitor, you will be able to exercise for longer periods of time before becoming fatigued, leading to still more calories that will be burned. On the other hand, training in a more intense zone, 70-80% of your maximum heart rate, will increase the strength of your heart and add the endurance that can make future training sessions more productive, and can be an excellent way to prepare for an upcoming race. If you approach your training with the mindset that every training session has a purpose, then you simply can not afford to train without a heart rate monitor, because heart rates are virtually impossible to guess without assistance.
Avoiding Heart-Related Damage
Every person has a maximum safe heart rate, which is usually estimated using the formula (220 - person's age). However, only a doctor can reliably determine an individual's maximum heart rate. However, most fitness experts agree that the best way to avoid overworking the heart is to not exceed about 85% of your maximum heart rate, unless you are in peak physical condition. A heart rate monitor can be an essential tool in making sure that you stay within a heart rate zone that is safe, and reduce the possibility of heart damage during your workout.
Helping to Reduce Stress
Heart rate monitors can be used for biofeedback, a form of stress reduction in which instruments measure the feedback given by your body. When meditating or practicing deep breathing exercises with a heart rate monitor, it is possible to watch your heart rate rise and fall in real time. Over time, this can contribute to stress reduction as you learn how to control the functions of your body. Biofeedback has been heartily endorsed as a way to both decrease stress and increase quality of life by famous physicians such as Dr. Deepak Chopra.
The Key to More Productive Workouts
Whether you are new to exercise, returning after a break, a serious competitive athlete, or simply looking for ways to reduce your stress levels, a heart rate monitor can be the tool that improves every aspect of your training program. Having a heart rate monitor can help you:
- Burn the most possible calories during your workout
- Increase the overall power and size of your heart for greater endurance
- Train in a manner that is safe and minimizes the possibility of heart-related damage
- Utilize biofeedback to control your heart rate and live a more stress-free lifestyle
