A Heart Rate Monitor Is Essential For Any Serious Fitness Program

Basic units use a sensor/ transmitter that is built into a strap, worn around the chest, that sends a signal to a receiver that is usually worn like a watch.

A basic monitor that gives your normal heart rate with alarms at the high and low ends of your target heart rate, and maybe calories burned, is usually adequate for most people.


Another option is a hybrid, as shown here, that can be used with or without the chest strap They do not give continuous readings but rather require the user to touch a button on the face of the monitor for a few seconds to get readings.

Others use a conductive textile like in the heart rate monitor sports bra or even a jersey. A signal is sent to a small transmitter that fits into a pocket in the front of the garment. This signal is then sent to separate watch type readout. They are reportedly very comfortable and reliable.
Metrex Heart Rate Sports Bra


The NuMetrex Heart Rate Jersey is made to accept a transmitter which snaps in place and held firmly against the chest.

Skip The Strap!The sensors in the fabric are completely comfortable and can’t be felt by the body. Comfort dynamics of NuMetrex sports apparel were measured against a typical heart rate monitoring chest strap.

Special sensors are knit into the fabric of this revolutionary seamless athletic apparel. The textile sensors maintain contact with the body, sensing the wearer’s heart rate and relaying it to a tiny transmitter.

The transmitter is snapped into a pocket in the front of the garment. It captures the heart rate data and transmits it to a heart rate monitor watch. The heart rate monitor watch instantly displays the heart rate for the wearer to see. Go here for sizing and details.

The capability of the high-end monitors is amazing. They enable the user to program up to five different workouts and detect stress levels and over-training. These are intended, mainly, for professional athletes.

The monitors come with detailed instructions for finding your target heart rate for you and your training program.

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