Okay, you've checked things over with your doctor and you've been given the all clear to exercise with the aim of improving your fitness or maybe to lose weight. You decide that a sensible approach would be to start jogging, as everyone knows that running is a fantastic way to get in shape. However, wouldn't it be great if there was a way to measure the intensity of your exercise programme whilst you're working out? Well the good news is that there is... A heart rate monitor can tell you if you are exercising too hard or not hard enough. Why is this so important? Well to lose weight or to improve your fitness, experts suggest exercising at a pace between 60-70 percent of your maximum heart rate for 30 minutes or more, with short intervals at a higher intensity (up to 90 percent of your max heart rate). A heart rate monitor will report this information to you so you can adjust the intensity of your workout accordingly. If your heart rate is too low, you're probably not pushing yourself hard enough and are unlikely to see any improvements by maintaining this level. However, if your heart rate is too high you run the risk of burnout or exhaustion and will likely quit your exercise program very quickly. By using a heart rate monitor you can ensure you're always exercising within your target heart rate range and therefore will see improvements quickly by not having to kill yourself to see it. To roughly work out what your target heart rate should be, simply subtract you age from two hundred and twenty. So for example: If you are 50 years old: 220 - 50 = 170 (170 is your predicted maximum heart rate) A heart rate monitor normally comes in the form of a sports watch that's worn on the wrist that includes a chest transmitter strap to monitor your heart rate. Although, newer models are now being developed without the need for an uncomfortable strap. With these models you simply place a couple of fingers over a sensor on the face of the watch and after a few seconds you're presented with your heart rate. Of course any decent heart rate monitor will doubles up as a regular digital sports watch and will come with all the standard features you'd expect. If you're serious about getting fitter or losing weight, invest in a heart rate monitor.
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