Saturday, September 7, 2013

Improving Your Fitness With Swimming Heart Rate Monitors

Improving Your Fitness With Swimming Heart Rate Monitors

By Helene Norris


Swimming heart rate monitors help you to keep track of your exercises. You can read the results once you get out of the water. While using one, you can test your body to see how much effort you're putting in and how you react to varying speeds. You will also be able to see how quickly your heart rate goes back to normal after your swim.

When selecting a monitor there are several aspects to consider. It must give accurate measurements, that is the number one thing. Some people want their monitor to do other tasks, counting calories used for example. Also, ensure it fits you correctly otherwise it will be a distraction while you swim. You might want to choose one that looks fashionable too.

Usually a monitor for swimmers includes a chest strap which sends information to a wrist watch where it is recorded. Watches without the straps tend not to be as accurate because they move about too much while you exercise. Obviously when choosing a watch it needs to be waterproof. You may also want to consider how deep you can go in the water with it before it stops being water resistant.

It is almost impossible to check your watch while doing lengths. Some watches do have an alarm which activates when you leave your optimal range but it can be difficult to hear while you are in the water. You will be able to look at your rate only during easier exercises, like the breast-stroke for example. You cannot not do that however, if you have bought a watch where you have to press a button to read it.

Swimming goggles which also have a monitor have recently been invented. They can transmit a signal to swimmers while they are exercising. They flash with a green light when the swimmer's heart rate is in the right zone, then they flash with a yellow light whenever it falls below. A red light flashes if they go above.

The goggles are an improvement because usually swimmers measure their activity using a watch or a belt. However, these usually slow swimmers down but the goggles do not. Another problem with using a watch is that you have to stop your exercise in order to check it. This new innovation puts an end to that, so you will get the most out of your exercises.

The goggles also enable swimmers to monitor themselves while under water. This is done by hearing under water signals which are sent from an earpiece. Some people have complained that the new product is too bulky to use in water. Despite this, the goggles could still become an essential tool for exercisers.

There is some confusion surrounding swimming heart rate monitors. Lots of people think they are costly when in fact they can be bought for about $40. Most kinds of monitor can used in water but they can be damaged if you press buttons while under water. Many people believe they are difficult to operate too but most are activated by pressing a single button and have very few functions anyway.




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