Heart rate monitors have become particularly popular among fitness buffs. For patients, the heart rate monitor will alert them of their active heart rate so that they can keep it within a safe zone – this is useful at all times; not just when working out.
There are many features and models available of heart rate monitors, but monitors are divided primarily into two groups: a heart rate monitor with and without a chest strap. Here will list some of the most popular heart rate without chest strap.
Top Heart Rate Monitor without Chest Strap
There are many models available if looking for a heart rate monitor without the chest strap. Some of the top models include:
| Product | Comment |
|---|---|
| Polar FT60
|
This feature rich model is commonly viewed as a virtual personal trainer. Beyond tracking basic heart rate information, the Polar FT60 tracks calories burned, a fitness trainer, replaceable battery feature, fitness test, and more. Optional features include GPS functionality and foot pods, as well as a data uplink – each with additional costs. Considering the quantity and quality of elevated features, this model is at cost about $128.78. |
| ePulse Strapless Heart Rate Monitor
|
Rather than a chest strap, the data comes from an arm band; the monitor includes some great features, such as calorie tracking and notifications when working in or out of the target heart rate zone. It is intended for use beyond just workouts and is useful for everyday activities, such as cleaning or general activity. The ePulse strapless heart rate monitor is a budget friendly heart rate monitor without the chest strap, ringing in at just $89.95. |
| Polar CS600 Cycling Heart Rate Monitor
|
This heart monitor is heavy duty – in addition to standard features, such as monitoring heart rates, it monitors improvements in cycling over time with the Cycle Efficiency Index. This monitor is water resistant to 10 meters and features a backlit display so that it is visible even in the dark. Its features come with a larger price tag, however, at $340.96 |
| Bowflex Fit Trainer
|
This heart rate monitor without a chest strap features sports watch features, pedometer functionality, target work zone alarms and fitness training, stopwatch, calorie tracker, and more. Though it is features many quality features, it costs just $41.89 |
| Carepeutic Heart Rate Monitor
|
With six primary features, this heart rate monitor includes a stopwatch, calorie tracker, pedometer, distance display, and clock. A more basic monitor, it will complete standard features and is a steal at just $38.73. |
Heart Rate Monitor Features
There are countless features available for heart rate monitors in today’s ever growing market place – some more critical than others. All basic heart rate monitors will monitor the active heart rate, but others go on to include things like recovery heart rate or fitness trainers.
As you search for a heart rate monitors, it is recommended that you invest in a heart rate monitor for convenience and accessibility. Below are several features that you are likely to encounter in your search.
- Average Heart Rate. Most heart rate monitors currently available to consumers will provide information about the user’s average heart rate. The majority of models will also provide details about the user’s low, high, and average heart rates based on a given workout or session. This is a basic feature that should be included in any monitor you select.
- Calorie Count. A handy feature for anyone focused on meeting weight loss goals, heart rate monitors that include a calorie count feature will estimate exactly how many calories the user burns during the course of a workout or while using the heart rate monitor.
- Time Track. This is a feature that will keep track of how much time your heart spends in its target working zone.
- Sport Watch. Monitors with a sports watch feature will provide some basic information, such as clocks, calendars, or a countdown timer.
- Stopwatch. Stopwatches on heart rate monitors are helpful to learn about how your heart reacts to different conditions – for example, the amount of time that it takes your heart to reach its maximum rate.
- Recovery Heart Rate. Before beginning any workout, you should first be aware of your heart’s resting rate; the rate at which the heart beats when it is not working actively. A recovery heart rate feature will track how long it takes your heart to “recover” – or return to its resting heart rate following an active circuit or workout
- Speed and Distance Measurement. For a monitor to contain this feature, it will typically need to communicate with a second piece of equipment, such as a GPS transmitter or foot pod. The secondary equipment tracks how quickly the user walks, runs, or performs another activity, as well as the distance that they cover. This is a favorite among runners, but also very helpful for heart patients with walking programs.
- PC Interface. This feature will allow the user to connect the heart rate monitor to their computer to download data. By tracking data over time, the user and their medical team will be able to track performance, trends, and improvements.
- Fitness Trainer. This feature will issue prompts to the heart rate monitor’s user when their heart rate falls below or rises above their selected training zone.
- Coded Transmitter. This feature is available in heart rate monitors that use a chest strap; since the chest strap sends information to a wrist receptor, the coded transmitter works to encrypt the information, ensuring that the monitor user’s wrist unit receives information about only their workout, rather than others working out and using monitors in close proximity to them.
- Cycling Monitor. This feature is used specifically by cyclists, including road cyclists and athletes in spinning classes. Many monitors mount to the bike’s handlebars and allow the user to track additional input factors, such as speed or cadence.
- Battery Replacement. To simplify maintenance, many heart rate monitors work with replaceable batteries (rather than rechargeable ones).