Best Running Heart Rate Trackers & Monitors

With a heart rate monitor, you can target specific beats per minute (bpm) in terms of calculated training, and add a bit of interest to your jog for the more casual runner. There are two basic formats that these devices come in. A chest strap and a watch or wristband. The wrist located monitors use optical sensors to detect the blood racing through your veins and calculate heart rate from there.

They’ve proven to be a new and exciting option in terms of monitors, but if you want true accuracy there still isn’t much of a substitute for the chest strap. Having an efficient working out session is the main objective of any workout session.

To ensure that we were providing our readers with the best heart rate monitors to choose from, there were several key features we made sure to look out for in each heart rate monitor that we considered. Take a look at the features and factors we took into consideration when it came to the basic features each heart rate monitor has to offer.

Pulse Points—Types of Monitors

These trackers are worn very close to the pulse points found on the athlete’s body. It’s best to always give a thought at where you want to wear your fitness tracker as this will determine their accuracy. Also, this will play an important role in determining the features you want your ideal HRM device to have and how the device will help you in achieving your fitness goals.

Some of the pulse points in the body are chest and wrists. Depending on the location of the pulse point there is a different type of HRM device for the pulse point. There are 3 types of pulse points heart rate monitors depending on where they are being worn (the pulse point).

Chest Strap Type of HRM Devices

HRM devices are worn around the chest using a chest strap and must have a wristwatch device to help collect accurate data. Though some more recent models have been developed with Bluetooth connectivity hence the easy display of data on the athlete’s smartphone.

Wristwatch Type of HRM Device

They are the most preferred type of trackers. They resemble a normal fitness watch. They have a variety of designs and styles with regards to their functionality and have been on the market for long. To read data collected you only need to press a particular button or just touch the rim of the HRM device.

Continuous-Reading HRM Wristwatch

They are also worn on the wrists. These are more advanced devices and can offer correct and updated reading without using a chest strap. The watch is worn around the wrist just above the bone on your wrist and must have a snug fit; this will guarantee very correct and accurate data. The fit should be similar to that of your normal wristwatch.

There are several different things your heart rate monitor should be able to do, and it should be able to do these things effectively.

Heart of the Matter – Targeting your Correct Workout Zone

The HRM device has three main important zones that it targets during exercise. These zones vary and hence have different rates, athletes are advised to know and understand the different workout zones. As this plays an important role in determining how effective their workout sessions are. The 3 zones include:

The Warm-up Workout Zone

This zone occurs when you begin your workout and the pulse rate starts to rise. Though it’s important to note that the pulse rate normally ranges between 50% to 60% of the maximum. Ideal for beginners who are just starting to work out as it reduces chances of self-injury during a workout. This simply refers to low-intensity sporting activities.

The Fat-Burning Workout Zone

In this zone, the pulse rate of the heart is between 60% to 70% of the maximum level. Unlike the warm-up workout zone, you will need to exert yourself to a higher degree meaning you increase your workout intensity, the frequency of workout and duration of the workout. You continue enjoying all the health benefits associated with the warm-up workout zone and can burn more fat and calories.

The Cardio Workout Zone

In this level or workout zone, your pulse rate is ranging between 70% to 80% of the maximum pulse rate. This exercise intensity allows you to strengthen the cardiovascular system and be able to burn more fat and calories compared to the two previous zones. It’s important to note that this zone also means more muscle burning which is ideal for those athletes who want to achieve the maximum fat reduction.

The basic models of HRM devices offer almost all of the 3 target workout zones. Devices that can be considered to be more advanced have 3 to 6 target workout zones. With the possibility of having multiple target workout zones, you have the comfort of pre-programing your HRM device for an option of many different workouts like aerobic, endurance & anaerobic variations.

The basic kind of HRM trackers can time your exercises/workout and also give you constant and continuous data that shows whether your pulse rate is high, average or low during your entire workout sessions. Most models of HRM devices can be easily partnered with foot pods, they are attached to the shoelaces hence be able to track your running speed, cadence, and distance.

Some models come with built-in GPS receiver abilities that can track a runner’s speed and the distance covered, they also offer functionality in navigation and elevation. The more advanced a device with an extensive array of features the pricier it may be to purchase.

Target Zones:

The HRM device has three main important zones that it targets during exercise. These zones vary and hence have different rates, athletes are advised to know and understand the different workout zones. As this plays an important role in determining how effective their workout sessions are.

Recovery Mode:

Tracks the amount of time it will take the athletes’ heart to resume its resting and normal pulse rate. It is a perfect indicator of determining the level of your cardiovascular fitness also important if the training/ workouts sessions you take part in, involve sprints and/or interval workouts.

Calorie Counter:

Estimates the total amount of calories that are burned during a particular exercise. This is very useful especially if the workouts sessions you take part in, involve workout programs like weight-loss programs. Also functions effectively for athletes involved in training sessions that focus on gaining mass and more muscle.

Speed & Distance:

This is the ideal type of HRM trackers for runners. This is usually the most important feature of a fitness tracker that most runners focus on when shopping for an HRM tracker. It’s able to perform calculations of the speed of a runner, measure the total distance the runner has covered during a given workout session.

All this is done using an inbuilt GPS receiver that is normally used for outdoor sporting activates or by foot pods for sporting activities done indoors (also for outdoor geographical regions with limited reception of satellite connectivity). The foot pod utilizes the presence of an accelerometer, for it to determine a stride’s average length.

Comfort is of the utmost importance when it comes to any wearable running gear--and the best heart rate monitors are no exception. We made sure to put comfort at the top of our list because we know how detrimental it can be to invest in something that is not comfortable to wear or that is a hassle to use. The last thing we want is for you to invest in a heart rate monitor you won't even use.

To evaluate the overall comfort level, we first and foremost took a look at reviews from actual users. Sometimes the only way of knowing how comfortable a heart rate monitor truly can be is to look at how it feels when you use it. The best way to do this is to sift through review after review--which is why we encourage you to do the same to see how it will best fit your needs.