Treadmill Heart Rate Monitor: Is it Necessary?
Most treadmills such as those from Smooth and Sole come with a heart rate monitor but how did this fitness equipment accessory become so in demand?
During the 1990’s it became very popular for a treadmill to come equipped with a heart rate monitor. Additionally, stationary bikes and elliptical trainers also featured the equipment. On a treadmill, you can keep track of your heart rate by maintaining contact with the side rails. The question is, is it necessary to monitor your heart rate during a workout?
In order to answer this question, it is helpful to know the different heart zones:
Healthy Heart Zone
You can reach the healthy heart zone with a brisk walk. It is 50%-60% of your individual maximum heart rate.
Temperate Zone
About 60%-70% of your individual maximum heart rate, it can be reached by jogging slowly.
Aerobic Zone
This is about 70%-80% of your individual maximum heart rate. To get to the Aerobic Zone, you would need to take your jog up a notch.
Anaerobic Threshold Zone
You can reach the Anaerobic Threshold Zone by running, and achieve 80%-90% of your individual maximum heart rate.
Redline Zone
Take caution; only use in interval training. The Redline Zone is 90%-100% of your individual maximum heart rate. If sustained too long it can cause injuries.
Once you find out your maximum heart rate from a certified physical trainer or your doctor, you can improve your health by alternating the zones. Not only does this improve your heart, but it also gives you a varied exercise regimen which can be great to keep it interesting.
Treadmill heart rate monitors usually accompany the machine in two different forms:
The Handgrip
Mentioned before, the sensors are located on the hand rails of the treadmills. This may work for you if you use your treadmill just for walking, but can be hard to use during a jog or run.
Wireless
The wireless control comes with a strap that goes around your chest, and your heart rate is then sent to the treadmill’s console. Using a wireless control allows you to walk, jog and/or run comfortably without worrying about touching the hand rails. Also, most treadmills have programmable and pre-set capabilities, so you can meet your cardiovascular goals.
It is necessary to have access to a heart monitor, and with ever-changing treadmill technology, manufacturers are coming up with new and innovative ways to do just that. Perhaps in the future, monitoring will be available without wireless or hand rail sensors. But until then, it is beneficial to take advantage of a treadmill that offers one of these technologies.
