Every day it is more and more common to see a good number of amateur athletes with a heart rate monitor on their wrist. This technological tool has become so popular that it is rare not to own one. Whether you are a gadget freak or just starting out in running or fitness, the heart rate monitor is an essential accessory to better understand your strengths and weaknesses. If you're still not entirely convinced, here are eight reasons to buy one or get more out of the one you already have.
Monitor your heart rate
That's the main purpose of a heart rate monitor. Why do I want to know that? Basically to know how fit you are. You have Heart Rate Monitors & Sports Watches from 20 euros, but I advise you to invest some money -between 90 and 100 euros- you can buy a top brand heart rate monitor of proven quality. Reliability when it comes to knowing your heart rate makes notable differences between a low cost heart rate monitor and another of medium or high range.
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Achieve your goals faster
The heart rate monitor is your best ally in achieving your goals. Thanks to the training intensity meter you will be able to know if you are exercising too much or too little. This way you can increase or decrease your workload. It's like a personal trainer attached to your wrist that always takes into account your current fitness level.
With a heart rate monitor on your wrist I assure you that you will reach your goals sooner than if you do without this wearable. The information stored in the device with the data related to your physical exercise keeps you always aware of your progression so that you do not remain indifferent to this fact.
Know your training intensity zone
Depending on the intensity at which you are training, the heart rate monitor is able to determine different effort zones. At all times you will be able to know in which zone you are and if you wish you can move to another more demanding one, depending on your physical condition and training level. You will be able to check your progress in real time and you will know if you should increase or reduce the training load without fear of making a mistake.
Find out the number of calories burned
Although in principle you should care more about reaching your previously set goals than simply burning a certain number of calories, the heart rate monitor is an ideal tool to know quite accurately the calories burned during physical exercise.
Increased performance in each workout
There is a false belief on the part of many novice athletes that in order to obtain a higher performance it is necessary to train at maximum intensity. Heart rate monitors have different intensity zones so you can work on what you need most and get better results.
Perfect your running technique
High-end heart rate monitors have a useful feature that provides you with a series of data that analyzes your running, so you can improve and refine your running technique. The contact time of your feet with the ground and the time your feet are in the air are some of the parameters that will help you improve your performance. You will run faster and performing less effort.
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Lead a healthier lifestyle
A heart rate monitor, in addition to being a valuable tool when practicing sport, also serves to track your day to day and lead a much healthier lifestyle. You can monitor the number of steps taken, the distance traveled, the number of calories burned and even the duration and quality of sleep, depending on the model.
You also have the possibility to set daily goals and check when you achieve them with alerts, as well as if you have been inactive for a long period of time.
Extra motivation in your workouts
Reality shows us that training individually is sometimes an arduous task. It requires a lot of willpower to become consistent and not become demotivated. For this reason, wearing a heart rate monitor on your wrist implies an extra motivation in each of your workouts. As you get to know and analyze the data from your runs, you will only want to beat them and surpass yourself.
Cover photo: Flickr / John Fischer (CC license commercial use and modifications allowed)
