What is a Heart Rate Monitor?

A heart rate monitor helps you measure the intensity of your workout. Most heart rate monitors come in two separate pieces – a chest band and a wrist watch.

The first part, a supple plastic band, wraps around your full bodice, right underneath your chest or bust. It should fit tight enough to stay put, but not so tight that it is uncomfortable. For women, it fits perfectly underneath a jog bra.

The second part, the wrist watch, reads your heart rate through your chest monitor and then translates that into numbers on the watch face. Handy features to look for are a stop watch, programmable target zones, and a light that tells you whether you are below, in, or above your target zone.

Heart rate monitors can cost anywhere from $50 for a very basic one up to $500 for one that will give you detailed technical analysis for every aspect of training.

The heart rate monitor that comes with the Momentum Fitness & Weight Loss System has all the features you need, including those listed above, to help turn your “random acts of fitness” into a systematic plan.