How to choose a wrist heart rate monitor: types and features. Hand pulse monitor: principle of operation, advantages and weaknesses Devices for measuring pulse in the form of a watch

Beurer BC44 wrist blood pressure monitor

Pulse blood pressure monitors

Pulse tonometers, which take readings from radial arrhythmia on the wrist, will help diagnose blood pressure quickly and without outside help. Such models are easy to take with you on the road, use permanently or temporarily, and you don’t have to look for help to inflate the cuff or connect to the power supply.

Who can?

Many people believe that such a tool does not give 100% accurate readings, which is not entirely true. This method of diagnosing blood pressure and pulse is suitable for those who meet the following requirements:

Has no problems with blood vessels
Balanced heartbeat, since arrhythmia may cause a disruption in readings
A pulse tonometer from the inexpensive segment is recommended for the age group of people under 45 years old, since the older generation more often has pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Range and functionality of devices

Modern manufacturers of medical equipment offer a wide selection of tonometers with great potential:

The adjustable strap easily attaches to the wrist and can serve not only as a measuring device, but also as a clock mechanism and heart rate monitor;
Many designs are supplemented with memory for several cells, which makes it possible to monitor the work of the heart without recording the latest data;
Display illumination and sound facilitate diagnostics in the dark and while traveling;
The device runs on AAA batteries and can also be equipped with a battery and a power cable.

You can buy a pulse tonometer in any professional store or pharmacy, with mandatory warranty service for the device in case of any malfunctions in its operation. Users can choose from models with different designs, font sizes, additional options and graphic indexing. A wristband tonometer, the price of which is affordable for everyone, can be used in any conditions, at work, on the road, in a hospital or while walking. This allows you to always take timely medications, monitor health and prevent possible complications and overload of the cardiac system.

Reading time: 21 minutes

A heart rate monitor is a measuring device that measures your heart rate. It is also called a heart rate monitor.

Heart rate monitor is used to monitor heart function, analyze loads, determine heart rate zones and go beyond these zones. A large number of different models for heart rate monitoring are sold on the sports paraphernalia market. Let's figure out what a heart rate monitor is for, what its advantages and benefits are, how to choose one, and also look at the most popular models of heart rate monitors on the market.

Heart rate monitor: what is it for and what are the advantages

If you need information about how your heart works during exercise, then a device like a heart rate monitor is a must-have. During training, the heart rate monitor helps maintain the desired heart rate, measures the number of calories burned and monitors heart function and workload. Most often, a heart rate monitor is used during interval and cardio training, but also during power loads it won't be superfluous at all. In addition, the heart rate monitor can be used during daytime activities to monitor heart function.

Who might need a heart rate monitor?

For those who do cardio training to lose weight or develop endurance.
For those who do high-intensity activities interval training(HIIT).
For those who have heart problems and need to control their heart rate.
For those who want to control the number of calories burned during training.
And also for those who want to regularly improve their results without harm to their health.

Why is it even necessary to measure your heart rate during exercise? Depending on your pulse or heart rate (abbreviated HR), your body will use different sources of energy. Based on this, there are several load zones that determine the effectiveness of your workout:

The indicated percentage is taken from the maximum heart rate value. To calculate it, we use the formula: Maximum heart rate = 220 – age.

Accordingly, for the body to use fatty acids as a source, it is enough to keep the pulse in the zone of 60-70% of the maximum heart rate. For example, if your age is 30 years old, then the following calculations will be used to calculate the possible range of your heart rate:

Lower threshold = (220-30)*0.6=114
Upper threshold = (220-30)*0.7=133

With such a pulse (114-133 beats per minute) you can practice for a long time, maintaining a continuous pace. In this case, the exercise will be aerobic, that is, using oxygen. Such cardio workouts help burn fat and train the heart.

If you are doing high-intensity interval training (for example, training according to the Tabata protocol), then at the peak moments your heart rate should be in the anaerobic zone, i.e. 80-90% of maximum heart rate:

Lower threshold = (220-30)*0.8=152
Upper threshold = (220-30)*0.9=171

The heart rate monitor helps you monitor your heart rate and keep it in the zone that meets your requirements. If your heart rate monitor model allows it, you can set the heart rate zones you are interested in, and you will be notified when your heart rate leaves the specified zone.

Benefits of a heart rate monitor:

A heart rate monitor protects your heart from overload during exercise because you monitor your heart rate.
You will exercise in the heart rate zone you need - for fat burning or endurance, depending on your goals, and therefore train more effectively.
With a heart rate monitor it is easy to track your progress, analyze the level of load and its perception by the body.
You will know exactly how many calories you burned during your workout.
You can use the heart rate monitor during your normal daily activities to evaluate your body's performance or monitor your stress.
The heart rate monitor is indispensable when running or walking fast on the street, when there are no other sources for determining the level of exercise.

Many cardio machines already have a built-in heart rate monitor. But firstly, such heart rate monitors show inaccurate data, which is better not to rely on. Secondly, to record data you need to hold the handles while running or walking, which is not always convenient. Therefore, if you want to receive the most accurate data on heart rate and calories, it is better to purchase a heart rate monitor.

You can also use manual heart rate monitoring. To do this, you need to stop and count the beats, recording the resulting values. However, additional manipulations during training are not always convenient, and the obtained values will have a strong error. In addition, constant stopping lowers your heart rate, which disrupts the rhythm of the activity. This is why a heart rate monitor is indispensable: it will record data instantly throughout the entire workout.

Main functions of the heart rate monitor:

Heart rate (HR) monitoring
Setting your heart rate zone
Notification of heart rate zone changes by sound or vibration
Calculation of average and maximum heart rate
Calorie counter
Time and date display
Stopwatch, timer

Some heart rate monitors have additional functions: GPS navigation, alarm clock, pedometer, workout history, automatic counting training zones, fitness test, heart rate calculation for a single lap (useful for runners), synchronization with applications and computer. How great features equipped with the device, the more expensive it is in cost.

Types of heart rate monitors

Heart rate monitors can be divided into 2 large groups: breastplates(using a chest strap) and carpals. Heart rate monitor with chest strap used O more popular among practitioners, but thanks to new technologies, models have appeared that allow you to accurately measure your pulse without a chest sensor.

A chest heart rate monitor is a sensor with electrodes that is worn under the chest and transmits data to a receiver watch or mobile application. There are two types of chest heart rate monitor models, which differ in configuration:

Heart rate monitor without watch receiver. In this case, the data is transferred to the smartphone via Bluetooth Smart technology. The sensor is synchronized with special applications in the smartphone, where all necessary information about heart rate and calories burned. This is convenient for training analysis, since the application stores the entire data history. Most often, heart rate monitors are synchronized with applications on Android and iOS operating systems.
Heart rate monitor with watch receiver. In this case, the sensor sends data to the receiver watch, where it is processed and you can see it on the screen. Such models are more expensive, but also more convenient. You do not need to additionally use a smartphone; all information will be displayed on the watch. For example, it is more convenient to use such heart rate monitors outdoors.

If you purchase a heart rate monitor with a watch, then also pay attention to the type of data transmission. There are two types of data transfer from the chest strap to the watch:

Analog (uncoded) type of data transmission. May be subject to radio interference. It is considered less accurate, but if there is an error, it is very small. The analog heart rate monitor can sync with cardio equipment, picking up heart rate data from your belt. But if in your immediate vicinity (within a meter) someone is using a heart rate monitor with the same type of data transmission, for example, on group training, interference may occur.
Digital (encoded) type of data transmission. A more expensive and accurate type of data transmission, not subject to interference. However, a digital heart rate monitor cannot be synchronized with exercise equipment.

Both analog and digital heart rate monitors are quite accurate, so The type of data transfer does not play a key role when choosing a heart rate monitor. There is no point in overpaying additionally for digital data transmission.

Wrist heart rate monitors

The convenience of wrist heart rate monitors is that you don't have to wear a chest strap with the sensor. To measure the data, you only need a watch that is worn on your wrist. However, this version of heart rate monitors also has a number of features and disadvantages, so despite the apparent convenience, wrist heart rate monitors are still less popular.

There are two types of wrist heart rate monitors, which differ in the principle of heart rate monitoring:

Pulse is measured upon contact of fingers and sensor on front side device. You simply place the heart rate monitor on your wrist, touch it, and the device gives you your heart rate readings. The disadvantage of such monitoring is that you will measure your pulse not for a certain period of time, but on demand, only after contact of your fingers and electrodes on the body. This heart rate monitor is more suitable for tourism, mountaineering, or for those who, due to health restrictions, are forced to periodically monitor their heart rate zone.
Pulse is measured via tracking behind blood vessels. The principle of operation of such heart rate monitors is as follows: you put the bracelet on your hand, the LEDs shine through the skin, the optical sensor measures the narrowing of blood vessels and the sensor displays the obtained values on the watch screen. But the disadvantages of such devices are also obvious. For data accuracy, the belt must be tightly tightened on the wrist, which is not always convenient during training. Additionally, heavy sweating or rainy weather may interfere with the sensor's performance.

Of course, a watch is a more common piece of equipment than a chest strap. Therefore, if you feel uncomfortable wearing a belt under your chest, we recommend purchasing a second version of a wrist heart rate monitor. But discomfort and inconvenience are perhaps the only argument in favor of a wrist heart rate monitor. Most trainees still opt for a heart rate monitor with a chest strap because of the convenience and accuracy of the data.

Prices for a heart rate monitor are determined by the following parameters:

Manufacturing company
Heart rate monitor type: chest or wrist
Contents: is there a watch receiver, replaceable straps, cases, etc.
Data transmission type: analog or digital
Moisture protection
Belt, its width, quality, ease of fastening
Quality of the watch receiver case
Availability of additional functions

Heart rate monitors: a selection of the best models

We offer you a selection of heart rate monitor models with brief description, prices and pictures. Based on this review, you can choose the right heart rate monitor for yourself. Prices are indicated according to Yandex Market data as of September 2017 and may differ from the cost of the heart rate monitor in your store.

Sigma heart rate monitors

Popular models of Sigma heart rate monitors are developed by a Taiwanese manufacturer. Among heart rate monitors, Sigma is considered one of the market leaders; their models are almost ideal in terms of price and quality ratio. They mainly offer heart rate monitor models with a chest strap and a watch:

Sigma PC 3.11: the most primitive model with a basic heart rate counting function. There is no calorie counting.
Sigma PC 10.11: the optimal model with all the necessary basic functions, including calculation of average and maximum heart rate, calorie counter, sound signal when the target heart rate zone is violated.
Sigma PC 15.11: This model is suitable for running enthusiasts, as it adds functions such as lap counter, average and maximum heart rate per lap, number of calories burned per lap, lap time.
Sigma PC 22.13: This heart rate monitor uses digital data transmission, so the price is a little more expensive. The model is offered in several body colors. Standard functions: calculation of average and maximum heart rate, calorie counter, zone indicator, sound signal when the target heart rate zone is violated.
Sigma PC 26.14: model similar to the previous one, but with the addition of new functions. For example, this device has a lap counter, an automated function for calculating the target zone, memory for 7 training sessions, totals per week.

Polar heart rate monitors

Polar is one of the most famous brands in the heart rate monitor market. Polar produces high-quality devices, but their prices are much higher. You can purchase a chest strap with a sensor that will transmit data to your smartphone, or a set of strap and watch receiver for easier data tracking.

Chest straps with sensor:

Polar H1: GymLink communication interface, Android and iOS support, moisture protection.
Polar H7: GymLink and Blutooth Smart communication interfaces, Android and iOS support, moisture protection.
Polar H10: a new generation of heart rate sensors, replacing the H7, one of the popular heart rate monitor models.

Chest heart rate monitor with watch included:

Polar A300: in addition to the standard functions, this device also has many additional features: pedometer, sleep monitoring, reminder function, goal setting, accelerometer. It is also possible to connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
Polar FT60: this model includes a calorie counter function, as well as a number of auxiliary, but very convenient and useful functions, such as: alarm clock, second time zone, low battery indicator, locking buttons from accidental pressing.
Polar M430: Another very multifunctional gadget, waterproof, with GPS navigation and backlight. Added notification function about incoming calls, received messages and notifications from applications for social networks GPS.

Beurer heart rate monitors

This brand offers models of heart rate monitors with a chest strap and models in which you need to touch the sensor of the device to measure data. For training, we recommend choosing heart rate monitors with a chest strap; it is more convenient and practical.

Beurer PM25: a simple and convenient model, there are all the important functions, for example, a built-in calendar, clock, alarm clock, stopwatch, calorie counter, alert when leaving the training zone.
Beurer PM45: The set of functions is similar to the PM25 models, but adds interchangeable straps, a bike mount, and a storage case.
Beurer PM15: This is a wrist-based heart rate monitor with a touch sensor, the device monitors heart rates, alerts you when you go beyond the training zone, but does not count calories. Price: 3200 rubles.

Suunto heart rate monitors

Another well-known company in the sports equipment market that produces a series sports watches with the ability to measure pulse. Suunto offers chest straps and chest straps included with your watch:

Suunto Comfort Belt: Chest strap suitable for all T-series sports watches and computers that can be used as a heart rate monitor.
Suunto Smart Belt: Chest strap with Bluetooth Smart technology. Compatible with Suunto's Movescount app.
Suunto M2: a chest strap with a watch that has all the basic functions, including heart rate control, calorie counting, automatic selection of the desired heart rate zone.
Suunto M5: This heart rate monitor comes with additional features to help you determine optimal mode training based on your individual performance, as well as get reliable information about speed and distance during running training.

Sanitas heart rate monitors

Sanitas does not have many models, but they are notable for their low prices, so we also mention them.

Sanitas SPM22 and SPM25: Heart rate monitor with chest strap that includes all the basic functions and is perfect for regular use.
Sanitas SPM10: You don't need a chest strap to measure your heart rate with this model. You simply place the device on your wrist and touch the sensor on the front of the device with your finger. This device is suitable for people who do not want to wear a chest belt or, for example, for tourism.

Other models

Nexx HRM-02. A budget option for a chest strap with a sensor, which is suitable for those who are not ready to seriously spend money on fitness gadgets. The device has built-in Bluetooth Smart and is compatible with almost all mobile applications that support the function of transmitting data from a wireless heart rate monitor. Counts heart rate and calories burned.
Torneo H103. Chest strap with watch receiver. Endowed with all the basic functions: heart rate calculation, calorie counter, setting heart rate zones, measuring time in target zone, stopwatch, calendar and alarm clock, waterproof.
Wahoo TICKR. Another option for a chest heart rate monitor that transmits information via Bluetooth to a smartphone. In addition to heart rate, such characteristics as steps taken and calories burned are recorded.

Which heart rate monitor to choose:

If you want to purchase a heart rate monitor with an optimal price-quality ratio, then buy the Sigma or Beurer models.
If you want to purchase the most reliable and accurate device, then buy Polar or Suunto models.
If you want to purchase the simplest and most inexpensive option for a heart rate monitor, you should pay attention to the models offered on the Aliexpress website (review below).

Heart rate monitors: a selection of the best models on Aliexpress

We offer you a selection of heart rate monitors that can be purchased on Aliexpress at an affordable price. All heart rate monitors have similar functions and are in approximately the same price range, so we suggest you focus on customer reviews, the average product rating and the total number of orders for this product.

Chest strap without watch

If you purchase a chest strap without a watch, your heart rate data will be sent to an app on your smartphone. The chest straps are compatible with all Bluetooth Smart (4.0) and ANT enabled devices. The presented sensors are quite accurate in measuring heart rate.

We suggest you pay attention to the following chest sensors:

An arm heart rate monitor is a medical device designed to monitor cardiac activity during sports or other activities. physical activity. It is also used by those people who, due to disturbances in the activity of the heart, are forced to constantly monitor its condition.

What is a heart rate monitor and what is it for?

There are two types of wrist heart rate monitors: without a chest strap, which read the pulse from your finger, and with a chest strap in which the sensor is located. The first type of heart rate monitor is distinguished by great functionality, so you should carefully study all the available functions and choose a device exclusively with those that will be used.

Depending on the number of functions, there are three categories of heart rate monitors:

The simplest models include four functions: clock, alarm clock, timer and heart activity monitoring itself.

Improved models also have an energy consumption recorder and a counter for the amount of fat burned.

The most expensive heart rate monitors can be connected to a PC and have the function of detailed analysis of the body’s condition. Based on this data, the heart rate monitor subsequently creates an individual training program.

As a rule, medical heart rate monitors for the wrist belong to the first category.

Pedometer - what is it for?

A pedometer, like a heart rate monitor on the wrist, is used by people involved in sports. This device will be an excellent addition to your heart rate monitor and will help you mark out your workouts in more detail. The pedometer measures the number of steps taken.

It can also convert steps into kilometers and calculate how many kilocalories were spent. Experts say the recommended amount per day is 10,000 steps. At the same time, the average person loses about 400 kilocalories.

For the convenience of athletes, pedometers and heart rate monitors are equipped with a variety of additional functions, such as:

Radio;
Player;
Clock, stopwatch and timer;
Calculation of steps depending on the type of walking and running.;
Calculation of the number of meters covered in the pool;
Cadence calculation;
Built-in memory.

How to choose a heart rate monitor for your wrist?

First of all, you need to pay attention to the location of the sensor, as it directly affects the accuracy of its measurements.

Below are several ways to position the sensor:

Sensor built into wrist heart rate monitor. Although this location is the most convenient, it brings bad result. The data obtained from measurements of such a sensor is extremely inaccurate.
A sensor that attaches to your finger or earlobe. The result is also extremely inaccurate information, and the sensor gets in the way during training and can easily get lost.
A wireless sensor that is attached with a belt on the chest. Such a device will provide the most accurate data.

When choosing a heart rate monitor for your wrist, both for running and for other sports, you should pay attention not to the price, but to the manufacturer. There are companies that have been making these devices for quite some time and can afford to offer a really high-quality copy for a low price.

You should also pay attention to the type of heart rate monitor. There are models for running, for cycling, as well as hand-held heart rate monitors for skiers. The equipment for all heart rate monitors is the same: a bracelet and a sensor.

Also, when choosing a heart rate monitor, it is important to consider the following features:

Working hours.

If the model is not sophisticated and belongs to the first/second category, then it will consume approximately the same amount of energy from the battery as a wristwatch. IN otherwise(if GPS and other similar functions are available), the charge will last for a maximum of 20 hours.

Encoding of the sensor signal.

An unencoded signal is transmitted with interference, while a coded signal is transmitted without it. Depending on the installed sensor, the price of the heart rate monitor will also fluctuate.

Depending on the functionality, reliability and accuracy of measurement, as well as on how much a hand heart rate monitor costs, below is a rating of hand heart rate monitors.

Top Five

Beurer PM18.

Country of origin: Germany. This model is representative of the budget class. It has a built-in sensor that measures the pulse through a finger placed on the display. This copy is two in one. It not only measures your pulse, but also counts your steps and measures your speed. Also equipped with a stopwatch, alarm clock and timer. Cost: about 100 dollars.

Garmin Forerunner 610 HRM.

Country of origin: Taiwan. This example is a heart rate monitor for running. The gadget is waterproof. The sensor is located on the chest, attached with a belt. Cost: about 300 dollars.

Polar FT4.

Country of origin: Finland. There is nothing superfluous in this model: a heart rate meter, calories burned, as well as a clock and calendar. Changes in the state of the body are displayed graphically on the display. Waterproof, backlit screen and speaker. Cost: about 100 dollars.

Nike FuelBand.

Functions: LED screen, battery capacity indicator, Bluetooth 4.0, accelerometer, calorie burn meter. Moisture-resistant, shockproof. Cost: about 130 dollars.

Torneo H-102.

Country of origin: China. The sensor of this heart rate monitor is located on the chest, attached with a belt. There is a screen backlight, a speaker, and built-in memory. It has the function of calculating training time and calories expended. Built-in clock, alarm clock and stopwatch. Cost: about $125.

Pulse displays the heart rate and, depending on the physical and emotional state of the body, reflects the level physical training. An interesting fact is that the pulse can be used to determine at what point in a person’s sleep a dream occurs. At the same time, the pulse rate will show whether a person is dreaming of something calm, joyful or terrifying.

Of course, you can make a heart rate monitor with your own hands - assemble the hardware and program it, besides, the Internet is full of ready-made circuits for making a heart rate monitor with your own hands. But it will take quite a long time.

Therefore, it is much easier to buy a ready-made device. In this case, it is important to follow the recommendations listed above and pay attention primarily to the reputation of the manufacturer, and not to the offered price.

Because proven heart rate monitors can last 3-5 years, but products from an unknown manufacturer will fail within a year.

Cardio training from A to Z, video

In conclusion, we can say that it does not matter at all what kind of device a person uses to measure heart rate, number of steps or calories burned. Much more important is the fact of playing sports, because sport is life.

And gadgets such as a heart rate monitor or pedometer only help achieve best result over a shorter period of time. Therefore, the more accurate the device, the greater the results you can achieve, and if you have already decided to buy a heart rate monitor, you should take the purchase seriously and choose a truly worthy model.

Otherwise, the device will harm rather than help, displaying data that does not correspond to reality.

At first glance, wrist heart rate monitors seem to many to be the best option for a portable heart rate monitor - they are compact and easy to use.

At the same time, such a device, as the manufacturers promise, will allow you to accurately measure your pulse. And this, in turn, will help control the functioning of the heart, maintain and strengthen its health.

Let's look at the design of this type of heart rate monitor, its advantages and disadvantages, and the basic rules for selection.

The heart rate monitor allows you to monitor your heart rate. This is necessary in order to to keep the pulse within a certain range of values- for example, from 130 to 160 beats per minute. These devices can also be used for purely diagnostic purposes - if you need to monitor your heart rate throughout the day.

Heart rate monitors use:

athletes;
people who want to lose weight;
people with heart disease.

Athletes keep their heart rate within a certain range of values, to work as efficiently as possible: if it is below a certain minimum, this means that the load is not great enough and it needs to be increased so that the body receives good workout. If the heart rate exceeds the maximum, the athlete is working too intensely.

Everyone who plays one sport or another to reset overweight , during classes they must also adhere to certain heart rate values (the range of values for each student is calculated individually using a special formula, taking into account age and weight).

If the heart rate is too low, the body does not receive enough stress to burn significant amounts of fat; if it rises too high, the body switches from fat to other sources of energy.

Also a medical heart rate monitor on the wrist - essential item for people with heart disease who, on the recommendation of a doctor, engage in light workouts, one or another physical activity.

If you control your heart rate, not allowing it to exceed a certain limit, exercise will only bring health benefits, will allow you to stop the progression of the disease or even improve the condition of the heart muscle.

Design

Any heart rate monitor consists of a sensor that determines the pulse and a receiver on the screen of which the result is displayed measurements.

In a standard chest heart rate monitor, the sensor is attached to the chest using a soft elastic band, and the receiver in the form of a watch is located on the arm. In a hand-held heart rate monitor, the sensor and receiver are combined in one watch-shaped case located on the wrist; it is much more convenient to exercise without a chest strap and sensor.

There are two main types of wrist heart rate monitors:

classic: in order to measure the pulse, you need to touch the electrodes of the device attached to your arm with your other hand;
heart rate monitors with electro-optical sensor: after the device is put on your hand, it reads your pulse constantly; you do not need to touch it with your second hand.

Heart rate monitors of the first type are already outdated and practically not used. Today, so-called fitness bracelets, or sports bracelets, have become widespread.

Such a device, equipped with an electro-optical sensor, not only determines heart rate - it also monitors the condition of its owner throughout the day, determining his overall activity level, the number of steps taken and calories burned, and much more.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of fitness bracelets are their compact and easy to wear. The small and lightweight device is almost not felt on the hand; there is no restrictive movement of the chest sensor, which needs to be put on, wetting its contacts with water or lubricating it with gel. There are also no finger or earlobe sensors, which are required for devices that determine heart rate by blood pulsation.

But such bracelets also have serious disadvantages:

Their functionality is lower than that of classic models with a chest sensor.
They detect heart rate inaccurately - even by the most modern models far from heart rate monitors with chest sensors.
In addition, the range of sports bracelets is still small - although the future most likely lies with them, today, due to the above-mentioned disadvantages, such heart rate monitors are not very common.

How to choose a device for yourself

In order not to make a mistake with your purchase, when choosing pay attention to three main points:

functionality: modern devices can not only read the pulse, they also have many additional functions (more about them in the next section);
Ability to synchronize with external devices: synchronization, for example, with a smartphone will significantly expand your capabilities;
Waterproof: there are hand-held heart rate monitors that can be used for swimming, since they are protected from water, and also exclusively “land” ones - you cannot swim with them, they are cheaper and more suitable for running;

Also, when purchasing, it is worth checking whether batteries are included in the kit; if not, purchase them immediately.

And, of course, in order to do right choice, you can turn to device reviews and expert advice, as well as reviews from athletes and other buyers who have already evaluated certain models in action.

Additional functions

All modern heart rate monitors have many additional functions in addition to measuring heart rate and displaying this information on the screen. The most important of them is the ability to manually set the desired pulse corridor. If you exit it, the device will notify you with a sound signal.

Besides, Standard additional features include:

watch;
stopwatch and timer;
pedometer, running speed detection, counting the number of laps and distance traveled
calculator for body mass index, calories burned and fat burned;
determination of average heart rate during training and maximum heart rate;
maintaining statistics, storing training data in memory so that they can be analyzed in the future.

Find out which device is best for running from the video:

Popular wrist models

Mio Alpha 2

The second version of the Alpha sports bracelet retains the capabilities that were in the first model and acquired additional functions.

This device continuously monitors heartbeat , gives a sound signal when you go beyond the established pulse corridor and synchronizes with your smartphone.

It is worth noting that due to the wide silicone bracelet, the device looks quite bulky, this is especially noticeable on a woman’s hand.

Fitbit Charge HR

This sports bracelet monitors the condition of its owner around the clock.

In addition to the heart rate monitor function here There is a pedometer, an estimate of the distance traveled, and determination of the activity level during the day, calorie counting, “silent” alarm clock (Charge HR wakes up the owner with a call) and much more.

Mio Fuse

According to the manufacturer, this sports bracelet detects heart rate with particularly high accuracy thanks to an optical sensor and a simplified heart rate monitoring algorithm.

Has the full functionality of modern wrist heart rate monitors- pedometer, calculating calories burned, synchronization with a smartphone, and so on. There are two modes of operation - everyday and training.

How to use the heart rate monitor

Let's look at using a fitness bracelet using the Mio Alpha 2 as an example:

You need to install a special Mio Go application on a smartphone with Android or iOS OS and synchronize the phone with the bracelet;
then you need to configure the device, set the pulse zones, date and time, enter your data (height, weight, and so on);
The heart rate monitor is launched by long pressing the button on the right;
When you go beyond the established pulse corridor, the device emits a sound signal.

Frequently asked questions about sports bracelets

A modern wrist heart rate monitor is a multifunctional device that can be very useful.

Its main drawback is perhaps low measurement accuracy compared to chest heart rate monitors, however, it is higher than that of . However, fitness bracelets are well suited for amateur activities sports, as well as to track your heart rate and overall activity level throughout the day.