Chest strap heart rate monitors and fitness watches both track physical activity, heart rate and exercise progress. They are a useful tool for anyone tracking their calories, cardiovascular strength or daily step count. They help keep you aware of how hard you are training and how much progress you are making. We absolutely love heart rate monitors and suggest everyone invest in one.
So when you are ready to purchase a heart rate monitor you will notice two very big differences. There are two distinct variations of a heart rate monitor. One is a normal-looking sports watch while the other is a strap that connects around the chest during activities. There are some differences between the two that may alter which type you buy. It is important to understand the differences so that you receive optimal results and accuracy. Factors to consider include:
- type of physical activity
- Usage
- technology
- comfort
Type of Activity:
Chest Straps-
It is easy to appreciate how accurate chest monitors are and how much better they are for certain activities. Say, for instance, you enjoy boxing, you can’t exactly wear a watch under boxing gloves, well a chest monitor is a perfect choice. Endurance trainers, athletes or runners might prefer a chest strap monitor because of its accuracy and utilization.
Watches-
Wristwatches are designed for almost any activity and fitness level. Tracking normal everyday activities or high-intensity training, all types are perfectly compatible with watch monitors.
Usage:
Chest Straps-
Chest strap monitors need to be properly fitted to the chest. The centerpiece is what actually transmits your pulse and the elastic strap custom fits around the body. Water or ultrasound gel must be applied to the electrodes right before they are put on to ensure a proper reading. The monitor is Bluetooth enabled so it needs to be synced to a cellphone or smartwatch.
Watches-
Wrist heart rate monitors are very simple and straight forward to use. Set the date, time and any desired parameters, put it on and press start. That’s it. You might notice that the monitor is sometimes inaccurate or delayed. This will cause calorie count to be slightly off but it is well within reason. They are far more accurate and more reliable than any exercise equipment’s calorie counter.
Technology:
Chest Straps-
Chest monitors need to be synced with either a smartphone or a smartwatch. You will need to learn how to use Bluetooth and have the proper devices. For most people this is fine but for others, this might be more of a challenge. If you purchase a chest monitor from a physical retail store be sure to ask for assistance setting everything up if you are unsure.
Watches-
You can purchase a more basic model that is simple and straightforward or you can go for something more advanced with many other features. Since there are various options on the market it is a more well-rounded option for anyone who wants to gather information about their physical activity.
Comfort:
Chest Straps-
Chest monitors come with a learning curve and take a bit of getting used to. However, once you move past that and begin to move with the monitor, it is quickly forgotten. Some women might take longer to get used to it because the chest monitor is placed almost exactly where a sports bra lays under the chest.
Watches-
Watches are so commonly worn that it is easy for anyone to put one on and instantly forget about it. They hardly interfere with activities and are a common accessory. Some models offer interchangeable watch bands that allow users to pick a band that is either rubber or metal depending on preference.
Conclusion
Choose the type of heart rate monitor that best fits your needs and one that you will be comfortable using. Many retailers offer flexible return policies so if you choose one that you dislike, exchange it for something else. Having a monitor is a fantastic way to track progress and learn more about how your body reacts to physical activity and which areas need improvement.
