From the category archives:

Work & Play – Sports & Exercise

Product Review: Omron Heart Rate Monitor

July 28, 2010

I have an odd and sometimes frustrating set of personal characteristics.  I want to exercise and maintain my health but I’m obsessed with efficiency and time management.  If you share these characteristics you will understand when I tell you that one of my many excuses for avoiding exercise is that it takes up so much of my “valuable” time!  Fortunately, I have been able to actually take advantage of those personality traits by using a heart rate monitor when I work out.

Seniors exercising

Seniors Exercising

The fact is that there is a medically optimal exercise rate for every individual.  This is determined by one’s goals (cardiovascular improvement, weight loss, sports training, etc.) and level of fitness at any given time. A “target heart rate” is the number of beats per minute based on one’s age and maximum healthy heart rate. Physicians or web resources can help you calculate your target heart rate and a heart rate monitor can help you know when your have reached reached target heart rate. When you know how fast you want your heart to beat when you exercise and you can monitor it as it builds up, you can reach the optimal rate as quickly as possible and then level off your exertion to avoid over-stressing your heart. Exercising in the target heart rate range can help a person to burn fat and lose weight, because the target heart rate can help to make sure that a person is burning enough calories to reach weight loss goals.  When you maintain your target heart rate as efficiently as possible during exercise you are getting the maximum benefit for every minute of exercise you do, and you know that it is effective.

Heart rate monitors are particularly beneficial for people who are just beginning to exercise and who have led a sedentary life. The monitors enable them to learn their bodies and to work out at an appropriate pace. Those who are just beginning to work out tend to either work out at a pace that is far too easy for reaching fitness goals, or they work out at a pace that is too difficult, making it nearly impossible to continue the workout long enough for it to be beneficial.

I always recommend the Omron line of heart rate monitors because I have used them effectively myself. They are simple, durable and can be used in any type of exercise.  You will be fulfilled as you see measured evidence that you can exercise longer and more vigorously at your target heart rate as time goes by, because you are efficiently building up your stamina.  I have included an illustration of one of the Omron monitors below.  If you click the link to get more details you will be able to find the entire line and range of prices for these monitors, as well as lots of other great exercise products as excellent prices.  Have a healthy life!

Omron Heart Rate Monitor with Watch Band and Belt Omron Heart Rate Monitor with Watch Band and Belt

Easy to program monitor with ventilated watch band. Backlight function. Alarm option for low and high heart rates. Mounting bracket to mount watch receiver to most treadmills and bicycles. Soft zippered storage case. Water resistant watch and chest transmitter belt to 98 feet (30 meters). Time of day display and daily reminder alarm feature. 1 year warranty. Knowing your heart rate is important because if you are working out too hard, your activity can become counter productive and strain muscles. To achieve an effective workout, no matter what the aerobic activity, you must maintain your heart rate at a proper level for a minimum of 20 minutes. The proper level is generally 65%-85% of your maximum heart rate.

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