Heart matters: How to choose the right heart rate monitor for your needs?

It would seem that all heart rate monitors are the same: their main task is to measure heart rate (HR), and each of the gadgets successfully copes with this. Not many people know that all heart rate monitors are divided into two large categories: “bibs” and “wristbands”, and these are not all the features you should pay attention to. Check out our selection for more details!

Polar H10.

Perhaps the most outstanding chest heart rate monitor. Polar’s gadget is deservedly considered a legend, and the H10 is not the first reissue in the lineup. The history of this brand’s consumer heart rate monitors goes back more than half a century!

The Polar H10 is a new model, and besides aesthetic improvements, it has a number of “missing” features. Firstly, it has a longer electrode strip compared to its predecessor, which increases the accuracy and stability of measurements, eliminating possible external interference.

Secondly, now you don’t need to train with your smartphone: Polar H10 is equipped with a built-in memory for one training session. And finally, the device has added versatility – now you can train in water! Yes, yes, the sealing characteristics allow you to use it while swimming, which is a very logical addition to the previous parameter. Is it the best among chest sensors? We think so.

Mio Slice

Mio Global gadgets are some of the most popular in the amateur and professional sports market.

This is interesting: the early heart rate monitors in the Garmin lineup were powered by sensors from Mio.

Today, Mio heart rate monitors are considered to be some of the best optical heart rate monitors whose accuracy is no longer questioned. All of them are made in the form of watches or bracelets, which means that they do not involve the use of a chest strap, which is also an additional convenience for many users.

Of the simple models, we should note Mio Alpha: a sports watch with a permanent optical heart rate monitor. And last year there was an intelligent novelty – a bracelet Mio Slice.

The key feature of the model is an innovative metric for assessing the effectiveness of training: PAI, or Personal Activity Index. It is calculated individually for each user. The goal for the week is to reach 100 PAI, and it’s not easy. The logic is simple: the axiom of 10 thousand steps a day, on which the niche of pedometers was based, is outdated and moreover – ineffective, as simple walking does not give the optimal load on the heart. PAI does just the opposite: it records the heart muscle’s performance and interprets only this healthy data.

ISport W117

A special type of heart rate monitors are the so-called closed-loop models. They do not require connection to a smartphone and are a “watch + chest strap” design. The latter, in turn, is connected only to the watch, which displays real-time HR data. Such models are suitable for those who do not pursue the goal of saving statistics of training.

Most often such gadgets are cheaper, the average cost of them falls within the range of 2-4 thousand rubles. As a rule, such heart rate monitors are available from major brands, although marketing attention is not on their side(Polar FT-1).

Of the less well-known models – heart rate monitors of the German brand Sigma. And of the very “young” – ISport W117. This uncomplicated model of Chinese manufacture is already in its second season on the Russian market. It proved to be accurate and reliable, which ensured its place among the already popular models. A few simple settings, convenient attachment on the arm and chest, calm and sporty design – and you don’t need more than that.

Lifetrak C400

For those who do not need to measure heart rate constantly, models of episodic heart rate monitors are suitable. This category of devices does not have the task of monitoring heart rate 24/7, and measurements are made “on demand”. The user, having felt the need, presses a button and takes HR data. Leaders in this niche is the well-known brand Lifetrak (the company is Salutron). In the American market, the company is known as a developer of “government” gadgets and has a number of projects in the field of health care for the army and NASA.

In the market of fitness devices it is known for its collaborations with popular sports brands, for example, New Balance; in Russia it is sold under its own brand – Lifetrak C400. In addition to the undeniable accuracy, we should note one more important feature! Unlike most episodic heart rate monitors, Lifetrak shows the heart rate in the interval of up to 30 seconds, not only in a particular moment, which allows you to see the dynamics of HR: the tendency to increase or decrease. The watch also has a proprietary application to save statistics and analyze physical activity: distance traveled, calories consumed.

Cardio clothing

As already noted, most heart rate monitors take their place either on the chest or on the wrist of the user, and some note a number of inconveniences in use.

One alternative to the wrist-worn gadget is cardio clothing. The user wears a T-shirt that already includes thin conductive threads, and to it clips any heart rate monitor that will act as a processor. The heart rate data will be stored in an application with which the selected heart rate monitor model can synchronize. Among the examples, let’s mention the Caballero Sport model.

Headphones

Another alternative is headphones with a heart rate monitor. It is no secret that many people both in the gym and outdoors prefer to train to music, so there is certainly a logic in this category of devices.

To date, there are dozens of models that have already confirmed both accuracy and convenience, but let’s mention a couple of them. First, we can’t fail to mention the wireless version of Jabra. The heart rate sensor for this headset was made by Valencell, one of the leading researchers and developers in the sports market. The company itself assures that they make not just accurate, but ultra-accurate optics, adding additional translucent diodes to eliminate external interference, which work even in weak contact with the skin, as they distinguish weak blood flow.

The second model is a headphone from Samsung. The Gear IconX model is notable primarily because it belongs to a new category of “Truly Wireless,” or “Truly Wireless” headphones. Not only do they not connect to your smartphone or player with a wire, but the speakers themselves are not connected in any way!