Using a heart rate monitor is the best way to get more data from your training sessions, and that’s useful whether you’re a novice runner, or a serious athlete. Everyone can gain something from monitoring their heart.
And heart rate monitors are for more than sport. The latest devices can help monitor your heart rate 24/7, help spot illness, stress, tiredness – and help tell you when to take a break.
We’ve reviewed and tested pretty much every heart rate monitor on the market – this is our list of picks.
- Fitbit heart rate monitor guide
- Garmin’s best heart rate features explained
- Apple Watch heart rate features explored
How to buy a heart rate monitor
When people ask us about buying a heart rate monitor in relation to fitness, it always comes down to the type of device they’re using to work out.
When it comes to chest straps, most use ANT+, which is only compatible with specialist running watches that use that same connectivity – i.e. Garmin, Polar and Suunto watches.
Those who want to use their phone to work out will need to look for a Bluetooth-enabled strap, which will connect to apps like Runkeeper and Endomondo. However, Strava has recently cancelled support for external Bluetooth devices within its app, so bear that in mind.
Chest strap vs. heart rate monitor watch
The biggest battleground is now chest straps versus wrist devices, the latter of which use LEDs to “see” the blood pulsing through your veins.
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