Heartrate Monitors Blog

Downloadable Pedometer

Walking is a great form of aerobic exercise suitable for nearly everyone, from any age and level of athletic fitness. The remarkable benefits walking offers are reason enough to start including some modest exercise into your daily routine. If you haven’t thought about walking, now is the time to start.

Though easy to begin, there is a right and wrong way to begin a walking program. The most important thing is to ensure plenty of motivation, because benefits rely on regularity. This can mean using pedometers to keep track of progress and enlisting friends and family into the program. You may also want to choose to walk on a schedule, or to use other motivational tools to keep you moving. The key is to do so on a consistent basis. The more regular exercise you get, the better. Avoid falling into the trap of just walking once or twice a week and then falling off the wagon.

Pedometers and heart rate monitors can be great tools for starting a walking program. Not all monitors are the same, and it makes sense to choose one right for your specific needs. For instance, some people will benefit from the no-scroll display of the Sportline 308, and others will find the CR-786 Downloadable Multifunction Pedometer to be best for keeping motivation high. It all depends on what features you’re looking for (and we make it easy with our product search and shopping options).

Regardless of the style chosen, it is important to begin any exercise program with an easy workout. Slow progression from your current fitness level will protect against over-exertion and injuries. The only competition in a walking program is your own past performance, and pedometers can help make the most of competitive motivation. Start slow and work your way up and watch as the benefits start to make themselves more visible. Before you know it, you may find yourself with more energy, better breath, or even a few lost pounds on the scale.

Polar FT80 Heart Rate Monitor

Whether as a recovery intervention for chronic disease, athletic training for maximum performance, or as part of a weight loss effort, exercise can be augmented with the use of Polar heart rate monitors. The workout routine will benefit in several ways from the additional information and tracking capabilities provided by Polar, which stand out as some of the best in class features out there for training.

From the physical standpoint, real-time statistics on the heart rate, blood pressure, distance, and calories burned will help in achieving pre-set goals. The collection of this data in easy-to-read charts will provide a psychological boost to training and help with establishing realistic fitness objectives. In all Polar heart rate monitors, it’s easy to read, record, and analyze this real-time training data. Think of it this way: the more you know about your workout, the better you can interpret your actual performance and areas of improvement.

A Trainer in Every Setting
Personal trainers serve several functions. They motivate clients and help them set goals based on the current fitness level. Polar heart rate monitors can provide the same services without limitation – or needing someone to work out with you every time you try to squeeze in some exercise. One of the best features found in Polar monitors is the ability to establish goals along multiple variables and receive notification when those goals are met or exceeded. This reduces the risk of injury and prevents under-training in the field.

State of the Art Training Features & Software

Collection of data is facilitated by Polar’s own software and GPS. Data collection is extremely important for establishing current fitness levels and designing workouts. Other features ensure that every workout provides maximum results. Polar heart rate monitors also showcase some pretty nifty training features, including:

• Polar OwnCal, which shows the number of kilocalories expended during training as a percentage of fat.
• Polar OwnZone, which determines your personal heart rate limits for a training session, which can vary from workout to workout.
• Polar Strength Training Guidance, which helps you optimize for strength training with heart rate readings, set spacing, and rest periods.
• ZonePointer, which indicates whether you are inside your pre-set target zone, to keep you on task and on target.
• ZoneLock, which helps you accumulate certain intensity.
• Polar STAR Training Program, which gives you weekly targets for training based on your own unique criteria.
• Polar Fitness Test, which measures your aerobic fitness level in just five minutes.

What’s your favorite feature in Polar heart rate monitors?

Finis Hydro Tracker GPS

New technologies, such as the Finis Hydro Tracker, are making it possible to combine all the benefits of a gym workout with the excitement of outdoors adventure. Scientific management of exercise is nothing new. Athletes have used technology for years both to inspire themselves to stronger performance and adjust routines for maximum benefit.

There are several ideas about how to maintain motivation and track progress. One of the most important is using a diversity of activities, like utilizing a triathlon training program of cycling, swimming and running. Besides keeping the routine exciting, variety also ensures a total body workout. Performing in the real world, versus a controlled gym environment, also helps by keeping the experience fresh.

There is a drawback to this type of training, however. Many athletes and enthusiasts prefer the gym, because machines are capable of measuring the heart rate, distance, speed and other variables. Progress can be tracked closely and compared with past and future performance. For professional athletes, knowing these variables can spell the difference between a plateau and excelled performance. The Finis Hydro Tracker, and other new field-based technologies, can track variable, map distance and time, and allow real-time sharing of information.

The Finis Hydro Tracker is one of the latest arrivals at Heart Rate Monitors USA and we’re really excited about what it has to offer. This swimmer’s GPS monitor rests on the back of the head while you swim, to give you constant GPS signaling for tracking your workouts. Each GPS includes a free online training log where you can use mapped workouts, share accomplishments, view your workouts as visual stats, set strategic goals, and save your multi-sport performance stats. For any triathlete, the Finis Hydro Tracker GPS is a great way to monitor how well you’re doing in pursuit of your fitness goals. Use it on its own or with a heart rate monitor to get full body, total sport monitoring.

Check out our latest addition, the Finis Hydro Tracker GPS, today at Heart Rate Monitors USA.

If you frequent our blog, chances are you’re interested in fitness, monitoring your heart rate and overall healthy living. But, are you using your heart rate monitor to determine the best heart rate your heart should be at while training?

Heart rate training is, simply put, a range your heart rate should be at during aerobic exercise where your heart and lungs can get the most benefit. Everyone’s training heart rate is different, so it’s important to calculate it on an individual basis, and better the overall intensity of your workouts as you do the math.

The following calculations should help you calculate your target heart rate zone:

• 220 – your age = Maximum Heart Rate
• Subtract resting heart rate from maximum heart rate = Heart Rate Reserve or HRR.
• Multiply HRR times the percent that you want to train at.
• Add back resting heart rate

Use the zones below as a guide when deciding how intense your workouts should be, and as time progresses and your fitness level improves, you may consider moving on to other zones.

Training Zones:

Healthy Heart Zone (Warm Up): 50-60% of maximum heart rate. This is the best zone for those just beginning a fitness routine.

Fitness Zone (Fat Burning): 60-70% of maximum heart rate. This zone is a little more intense than the warm-up zone.

Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training): 70-80% of maximum heart rate. This is the zone to consider when training for a competition or big fitness event. This zone helps develop your cardiovascular system.

Anaerobic Zone (Performance Training): 80-90% of maximum heart rate. Training in this zone is great for developing your muscles and bones and is usually done in short intervals: weight lifting, running or swimming sprints, or a game of tennis.

The Red Line Zone (Short Period Training): 90-100% of maximum heart rate. This zone is for interval running and developing your speed. Only those in good overall shape are able to train in this zone.

By using heart rate monitors and knowing what zone your workout is in, you can get a real-time look at the intensity of your workout and think of ways to improve your experiences. For instance, if you’ve been working out a lot lately and are meeting your target heart rate in a particular zone, you may consider moving on to another level of fitness.

Also, you may consider varying your workouts based upon length and intensity to allow for breaks in your routine throughout the week. Getting on a weekly schedule with different level of work outs can help a lot in the long run, too.

After you’ve had a great workout, it’s always a good idea to give your muscles the nourishment they need to rejuvenate, repair, and rebuild. Working out causes a lot of stress on the muscles, so it’s always good to nourish your body with something healthy  and nutritious after you’ve exercised. The question is – what’s the best food to snack on post-workout?

Well, in our experience, we’ve found that post-workout snacks should have three components:

• Protein – this is essential for muscle building as well as restoring your amino acids.
• Carbohydrates – this gives you energy and is essential for keeping your body moving.
• Vitamins and Minerals – you want to make sure you’re choosing food that offers nutritional value, not just raw protein and carbohydrates.

Not sure where to start when it comes to finding a great post-workout snack? Here are some of our favorites:

• Fruit and low fat yogurt
• Cereal with skim milk
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato
• Vegetable omelet
• Fruit or protein smoothie/shake
• Baby carrots and hummus
• Mozzarella cheese stick with grapes
• Banana and a handful of almonds
• Apple with a spoonful of peanut butter
• Popcorn with nuts and dried fruit
• Cottage cheese and pineapple chunks
• Chocolate milk
• Cheese and crackers
• Whole grain waffle with peanut butter or almond butter
• Rice cakes topped with almond butter or peanut butter
• Greek yogurt

What’s your favorite post-workout snack?

March is National Nutrition Month, so during this time of year, we like to take a closer look at what we eat and how it affects our overall level of wellness. You’ve probably heard the expression, “You are what you eat” and we couldn’t agree more! What we put into our bodies directly affects our ability to function at our best. What we eat impacts everything from our ability to build muscle to our ability to fight off illness. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to start eating healthier and take care of your body, now is the time to do it.

All month long, we’ll be posting about nutrition-related topics and if you’d like to learn about anything in specific, please let us know in the comments! In the meantime, let’s get started with 10 easy tips for better eating that you can start today:

1. Drink a glass of water prior to eating. Not only will this help you manage your appetite, but it will also keep you hydrated.
2. Add more superfoods to your diet. Foods like kale, broccoli, blueberries, sweet potatoes, eggs, and oatmeal are rich in nutrients and can help you lose weight, feel better, and even prevent illness.
3. Learn your portion sizes. Overeating becomes easy when we don’t know what the correct serving sizes are.
4. Take your time while you eat. Rushing through eating means you’ll usually eat more than you need to. Give yourself time to actually savor your meal.
5. Eat the rainbow. Colorful fruits and vegetables should take up at least half of your plate. Vary your choices by trying to eat a different colored fruit or vegetable at every meal. (P.S. Colorful foods are usually rich in nutrients and antioxidants!)
6. Always eat breakfast. High protein breakfasts can keep you feeling energized throughout the day while boosting your metabolism.
7. Cut out calories by always drinking water instead of sugary soft drinks.
8. Eating out? Take half your meal home. Restaurant portions are notoriously over sized and you’ll get more than one meal for the price!
9. Try the Mediterranean diet for better cardiovascular health and longevity. This diet is rich in healthy fats from olives and nuts, as well as lean protein, lots of fish, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
10. Avoid processed foods as much as possible, as these foods often have chemicals and not-so-good-for-you ingredients.

With February being American Heart Month, we’d like to touch upon exercise and the role it plays in keeping your heart healthy. It’s recommended that we get at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day and as for the type of exercise, there are countless activities to choose from.

Exercising is known to have a variety of health benefits for your heart, which include:

• Improved energy levels
• Strengthening your heart and cardiovascular system
• Lowering your blood pressure
• Improved circulation and the ability to better utilize oxygen

Exercise is also a key component to maintaining your overall level of wellness – so where should you begin when you want to exercise for a healthy heart? Well, for starters, you need to take a closer look at the types of exercise that most benefit you.

There are three core areas of exercise that can be very beneficial to your heart:

Stretching: This type of exercise involves the slow lengthening of muscles to prepare them for exercise. Stretching can improve range of motion and flexibility while also reducing the risk of injury and muscle strain.

Aerobic Exercise: This type of exercise involves steady activity using large muscle groups. Aerobic exercise strengthens both the heart and the lungs by improving your body’s ability to use oxygen. Of all types of exercise, this is where you see the most benefit. Over time, aerobic exercise can help decrease heart rate and blood pressure at rest while also improving breathing. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, walking, jogging, cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, rowing, or aerobics.

Strengthening: This type of exercise involves repeated muscle contractions until the muscle becomes tired. For those with certain heart conditions, this type of exercise may be difficult.

Eventually, in order to get the most heart-healthy benefit, you should work up to doing 20 to 30 minutes of sustained aerobic exercise. As with all forms of exercise, be sure to consult with your doctor if you’re not sure of what types of exercise may be right for you. The key to keeping your ticker in tip top shape is to exercise regularly and to gradually build your strength, endurance, and performance overall. Getting into a routine of working out and actively pushing your body can be challenging, but the payoff can mean a lifetime of better health.

Which aerobic exercise activity do you practice for a healthy heart?

CamelBak Eddy Bottle

New to our selection is the CamelBak Eddy bottle. This sleek and stylish reusable water bottle is just what you’ve been searching for to keep your water supply close at hand while you’re out for a walk, at the gym, or on the go.

Make staying hydrated while you’re on the move easy with CamelBak Eddy water bottles from our selection. These BPA-free reusable water bottles come in different sizes and styles to meet your needs as well as your color preferences. Choose from a variety of new colors, as well as options made from stainless steel, to find the bottle that best meets your needs. All CamelBak Eddy bottles feature the spill-proof design you love, as well as the comfortable big bite valve, integrated loop handle for easy carrying and the wide mouth opening for easy cleaning. Here are our newest additions:

• 24 oz. CamelBak Eddy stainless steel bottle in lime plum, charcoal, or silver. Also available in a floral or twigs pattern.
• 20 oz. CamelBak Eddy insulated BPA-free bottle in cobalt, magenta, black, or lavender.
• 16 oz. CamelBak Eddy insulated stainless steel bottle in silver or navy.
• 32 oz. CamelBak Eddy BPA-free bottle in grass, plum, charcoal, or navy.
• 20 oz. CamelBak Eddy BPA-free bottle in clear, navy, grass, dusty rose, plum, or silver blue.

For kids, we have CamelBak Eddy BPA-free bottles in 12 ounce options with several fun designs to choose from, all of which are dishwasher safe, durable, spill-proof, and easy to drink from on the go, so your little one can stay hydrated.

Order your CamelBak Eddy bottle today at Heart Rate Monitors USA.

P.S. Hydration is critically important for a healthy heart! Water allows for us to regulate body temperature, produce blood, and properly nourish and maintain our cells.

Suunto Ambit

Suunto is set to release a new game-changing GPS watch for explorers and at Heart Rate Monitors USA, you can bet that we’re gearing up for it already.

Set to ship sometime in late April, the Suunto Ambit GPS watch will change the way you monitor your adventures. This GPS sports watch from Suunto offers sophisticated data tracking for backcountry skiers, hikers, trail runners and mountain climbers with optional heart rate monitoring available.

The Suunto Ambit boasts a robust GPS navigation system, altimeter, and 3D compass, so you know where you are, where you’ve been, and exactly where you’re going – no matter what your adventure. Record-breaking extreme ski mountaineer, Greg Hill, describes the Suunto Ambit as “awesome product that should be on the wrist of anyone who heads into the outdoors.” In fact, the Suunto Ambit’s altimeter and GPS navigation system makes it a potentially life-saving survival tool.

The Suunto Ambit GPS watch also includes advanced training functions, specialized outdoor functions, and a durable construction, so you know that it’s built to last. Features include:

• Real-time training effect
• Highly responsive pace with FusedSpeed technology
• Compatibility with online sports diary and planning tools at Movescount.com
• Full-featured GPS (SIRF IV) navigation
• Find Waypoint functionality with route planning, tracking, and track logging
• 100 waypoint creations in watch and on Movescount.com
• Military scale 3D compass
• Temperature readings

Plus, a long-lasting battery, sleek design, and water resistance up to 100 meters.

To get more info about the Suunto Ambit or to preorder yours today, check out the official product page at Heart Rate Monitors USA.

We all know the exercise has a lot of benefits for our bodies. Besides helping to control weight and build a great physique, exercise also plays a big part in our overall level of cardiovascular health. This month, we’re sharing tips and tools to help you take better care of your heart. When it comes to exercise, we know that aerobic activities like running, cycling, and swimming can make a huge difference in keeping heart healthy. Here’s a closer look at what we mean:

• 7 Heart Healthy Habits (from Active.com)
• Understanding Heart Rates and Exercise (from Active.com)
• How does Exercise Affect Your Heart? (from Active.com)

Running can be a great outdoor activity to practice during American Heart Month – as long as you do so safely. Running in cold weather can be a bit tricky, but with some help from Heart Rate Monitors USA, we know it’ll be a breeze. Here’s what you can do to ensure that your run is safe and effective. Who knows? Maybe one run and you’ll be hooked as an athlete for life!

Winter Running Safety Tips

• Be sure to stay hydrated. Dehydration can happen easily in any weather and in any environment. If you’re going out for a long run, be sure to pack along a hydration backpack or a CamelBak water bottle. You’ll want to make sure that you drink before, during, and after your run. Remember – cold air can have a drying effect, which can mean faster dehydration.
• Dress in moisture wicking layers. Moisture wicking fabric can be critically important to helping you maintain a good body temperature. Too much moisture or non-breathable fabrics can mean overheating or chilling, which can A good rule to follow is to start with a base layer of a thin, synthetic fabric that wicks away moiture, like nylon or Gore-Tex. Fabrics like these are breathable but still protect you from the wind and cold. Avoid cotton, as it holds moisture. Then, add a layer of polar fleece or other clothing for insulation.
• Protect hands and feet by wearing gloves or mittens, as well as polar fleece or wool socks with a moisture-wicking liner. Disposable heat packets in your mittens can also help you keep toasty.
  Pay attention to temperature, wind chill, and weather conditions. If it’s too uncomfortable or looks to be unsafe, then don’t go out. This is your best line of defense when it comes to reducing the risk of injury while running during the winter.
• Cover your head and stay warm by wearing a hat.  In really cold weather, you’ll also want to wear a face mask or a scarf over your mouth to protect your face.
• Make time for a warm up and lots of stretching. Running without doing a warm up or stretching can mean a much, much higher risk of injury. Take a few minutes to do a light jog to get warmed up and then spend some time stretching all of your major muscle groups before you begin your run.
• Monitor your body and pay attention to its signals. If you feel uncomfortable, stop running. Also, take extra time to watch for frostbite in your extremities.
• Protect yourself from the sun’s rays (all year round!) by wearing sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and of course, a good pair of running sunglasses. At Heart Rate Monitors USA, we recommend a pair of Serengeti Sunglasses or Bolle Sunglasses to protect your eyes while running.