Do you know the benefits of heart rate monitor training? Every day many athletes achieve greater results with the effective use of this device. You can do this too!
Before using a heart rate monitor, it is my strong advice to test both your maximum heart rate as well as your resting heart rate.
Knowing both numbers will help you to define your heart rate zones.
In my experience, the use of a heart monitor prevents you from over-training during your marathon preparation and teaches you a lot about your body.
The benefits outweigh the costs of such a device.
Heart Monitors – Beneficial Information
There are many benefits to using a monitor in marathon training. It provides a continuous measurement of the intensity level of the runner during a workout or race.
It prevents you from going too fast on your long runs. These runs should build your confidence to finish your first marathon or beat your fastest time.
Further heart rate monitor training makes sure that recovery days really are easy. You will feel like you are energizing your body instead of breaking it down.
Another benefit of using a heart rate device is that it informs you when you’re over-trained and need to take some extra days off. This instead of going faster on your training runs.
These monitors will also prevent you from taking too short breaks after high intensity speed sessions. Recovery jogs or walks prevent you from over-training and injuries!
When using a heart rate monitor in training you also have a better chance of not becoming too tired and sustaining your pace in marathon-pace runs.
It allows you to take into account the effect of environmental factors such as heat and altitude and adjust your pace when needed.
Monitor Features
There are many different heart rate monitors with basic and advanced features. What is the best heart rate monitor for you? Choose the one that fits your budget and needs.
Some of the most useful features to look for when selecting a heart rate monitor are:
- An out-of zone alarm with limits you can reset
- A workout and time-in-zone timer
- An average heart rate mode that shows you how your heart rate develops during your workout
- A dual display of average heart rate and other workout information
- A possibility to connect your device to your computer and save your heart rate monitor training logs
You may wish to have a monitor with speed features included as well. Most often the price of such device is a lot higher than the price of a more basic monitor. Before you consider buying a product it’s worth looking over some heart rate monitor reviews.
Heart Rate Monitor Books
Are you really into heart rate monitor training and want to get in-depth advice on training with such a device? I would suggest to read Heart Rate Training
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