A heart rate monitor or a pulse monitor keeps a track of your pulse or heart rate. There are however two main ways that a pulse rate monitor works; one is by detecting electrical impulses made by the heart (therefore requiring sensors to be worn around the chest, next to the skin) and the other is optical, which is to be worn on your finger and works by detecting blood flow. However, the most accurate of pulse monitors are those that work electronically and most sports trainers prefer this type of pulse monitor.
The most basic pulse monitor only displays the pulse rate, but there are many with added features that help you record your pulse rate for later study, alert you when you have reached your target pulse rate and also automatically save the pulse rate data in a USB included with the device. Some monitors also calculate the number of calories burnt, breathing rate and your average heart rate over a fixed period of exercising. However, the greater or more advanced the features, the higher it will cost you.
The pulse monitor is extremely useful to obtain a lot of information about your body's performance and state of health. For example, the average pulse rate of a person at rest is between sixty to ninety beats per minute and increases with physical activity. A low pulse rate per minute also means that you are in good shape. This is because, the stronger your heart muscle, the more blood it is able to pump with each beat thereby having to beat fewer times in order to aid blood circulation throughout the body. However if you are generally inactive and do not do much exercise, then a low pulse rate could be due to some medical condition and needs to be checked by a doctor. Hypothermia, hypothyroidism and malnutrition can all cause low pulse rates. If you're constantly stressed however, it has the opposite effect - your pulse rate rises.
The pulse monitor is also used by athletes to hone performance during training. The heart rate of a person increases with the intensity of the exercise or physical activity. This is because the heart pumps faster to supply the body with oxygen through the blood as the need increases with the increase in physical activity. As a result, by monitoring your pulse rate, you will get a clear idea about how hard you are working. The pulse monitor is also used by athletes during a race (usually long distance) to maintain an average pulse rate in order to prolong endurance. They are able to run faster or slow down by referring to the information displayed (or relayed, more conveniently through a headset) and maintain the required speed and avoid early burnout.
The pulse monitor is a valuable aid to help you keep healthy and increases body fitness and are a great investment for both athletes and non athletes alike.
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