Many runners want to know their time or progress during and after their race or training day, but nowadays our running GPS watches are so advanced it's difficult to know what features are the best for us. From the Average Joe to those training to qualify for Boston, we have various levels of athletic prowess and different watches to fit our needs.
First, one of the popular features often offered for many of the watches on the market is the heart rate capability. Why is this feature important to us? Well, the reason for measuring heart rate is to see how much oxygen we are using and how fast we are using it. We need oxygen to get to our muscles in order for them to work quickly and efficiently. Simply, a heart rate reading can provide a good prediction of how hard we are working. Target heart rates are based on age and general activity level, but can range between 90 to 150 bpm (beats per minute). It is also important to note that while heart rate is important, it is not the only way to measure intensity.
An accurate heart rate reading can give us a snapshot of our level of intensity when we run, race, and workout. It's helpful for us to know that the harder we work, the higher our heart rate goes. When we lessen our effort or intensity, our heart rate will decrease. Using an activity tracker or GPS watch with the heart rate function can help us observe our effort level during different activities. Keeping track of this can be just as important as the physical activity itself. This can also be a useful tool for athletes who are looking to make improvements or need to see when and where their intensity levels change. It’s a great way to zero-in on progress during training and make adjustments along the way.
So, it’s important for our health to occasionally get an accurate reading of our heart rate and utilize that measurement as a target during training. However, we do not need to be elite level athletes to make use of the heart rate tool. In fact, the average person may benefit more in the long run with regard to their overall health if they understand the basic role that heart rate plays in their activities.
Want to see for yourself? Find these brand new activity trackers and GPS watches that include heart rate capabilities at holabirdsports.com.
Heart Rate or Not & Why?
