Fifteen years ago, heart rate monitors (HRMs) were gadgets only a few used. Polar was about the only company making them for consumer use and the use of HRM wasn't understood well. With years of study of athletes, the advancement of training methods, and the advancement of technology, today it's common to see the telltale signs of a chest strap on many people for all kinds of activities.

What do those with a HRM know that you don't? Why do they use a HRM? First, HRMs provide quantitative feedback instead of a subjective analysis of how you feel. If you use a HRM on a consistent basis you will have data you can use to adjust your workout compared with previous similar workouts. Over the long term you can use recorded data to analyze and adjust your overall training schedule. One of the best reasons to use a HRM is to target your heart rate for a workout or an event. For example, HRMs provide exact feedback that you can use during the first 12 hours of an event or race to control your effort so you don't run out of energy too soon.

Now that you're convinced HRMs are a good idea, the next step is to get one. What HRM should you buy? This article isn't going to tell you which one to buy, but it will provide you with the resources you need to research HRMs and find the one that suits you best.

Categories of HRMs
Sally Edwards has written an excellent article "Choosing the right Heart Rate Monitor". Edwards defines five categories of heart rate monitors

• Class 1: Basic heart rate monitors
  These simple monitors are the least expensive. They just display heart rate and are good for beginners participating in any aerobic activity. Cost is $59 - $79.
• Class 2: Intermediate Heart Rate Monitors
  These popular monitors combine a wrist watch and heart monitor. They let you set a Target Zone, beep if you are outside the TZ, include a stop watch and display time of day. Cost is $79 - $119.
• Class 3: Calorie Calculating Heart Monitors
  These monitors also calculate calories burned, based on body weight, gender and exercise heart rate. For people trying to lose weight, these are useful tools. Cost is $99 - $249.
• Class 4: Advanced Heart Rate Monitors
  These monitors store data and then allow you to recall the data after the workout. The data include: average heart rate, lap times, and time spent in / above / below your target zone. Many also have interval timers. Cost is 125 - $199.
• Class 5: Competitive Heart Rate Monitors
  These "downloadable" monitors are the most sophisticated type. They are useful if you need precise information for coaching or competition. You can manually display the data on the watch or download the data to a PC. Cost is $199 - $369.

Recommended Features
I've used HRM frequently over the past six years with and without specific training plans and during various workouts. Here are the most important features for ultracyclists.

• Target Zones: The most important and useful features of HRMs are those involving Target Zones (TZ). Target Zones correspond to levels of exercise intensity that form the basis for a training plan. You need the ability to set upper and lower limit to a TZ in one beat increments. Training Zones
• Audible Target Zone Alarm: You need to know when you are in your TZ and when you aren't. Since you need to watch the road rather than the monitor, an audible alarm is best. You also need to be able to turn off the alarm, such as when going downhill.
• Time Spent Below, In, and Above the TZ: These provide you post-workout information as to how well you followed your plan.
• Average Heart Rate: This provides an aggregate of your workout. Great for long term analysis and motivation.
• Time and HR: You should be able to see the time while a workout session is being recorded. Unfortunately, on my Polar if you switch to see the time, the stopwatch and hence your workout session stops.
• Time, Date: This is a watch and should provide this information.
• Alarm: You don't watch to miss waking up for your event.
• Stopwatch: This function is necessary for the heart rate functions to work their best. This is also great for intervals.
• Easy to read display: Numbers and symbols should be obvious and easy to understand.
• Easy to push buttons: Some buttons are small, some are somewhat recessed. Make sure you can easily reach and press the buttons while riding or with gloves on.
• Good Manual: Manuals are harder to evaluate, but a good manual can make using the watch easier.
• Backlight: A backlight isn't entirely necessary but it's definitely a plus.
• Battery: It's much more convenient to have a local jeweler replace a battery instead of having to send it back to the manufacturer.

Evaluation
With over 50 models, how do you find out what's best for you? HR Monitor Brand List

• Play ó One of the best ways is to go to a dealer and use the watch.
• The Manual ó Another way is to go to the website of the company and download a manual ó many sites allow this.
• Opinions ó You can go to websites that offer consumer reviews (not professional reviews) of the various products. These sites include www.epinions.com, www.mtbreview.com, and www.consumerreview.com. While these reviews are helpful, they often lack depth and clarity. They can give you idea of the overall quality and popularity of a brand. Before buying a HRM based on these reviews, be sure to check out the unit yourself first.
• Compare ó www.heartmonitors.com sells five major brands and offers good comparisons of what these brands offer and how they fall into Edwards' categories.
• Repair It ó Eventually you will need a battery replaced. You have several options including sending it back to the manufacturer, having it replaced by a local jeweler if the manufacturer allows it, or try www.sarkproducts.com which does battery replacement and service on most brands.

Using It
Once you have a HRM, the next step is to learn how to take advantage of it. The best way to do this is get a book targeted at HRM users. The best books include: "Heart Zone Training" by Sally Edwards, "The Heart Rate Monitor Book" by Sally Edwards, "Precision Heart Rate Training" by Ed Burke, and "The High Performance Heart" by Phil Maffetone. Good luck with finding a HRM - and remember the most important part of buying a HRM is getting one that matches your needs.

Tip:
All HRMs have a chest strap that picks up the electrical signal from beating heart and transmits this information to the HRM. For the chest strap to 'hear' your heart, the contacts need to be wet. The common way to do this is apply some water or spit to the chest strap. Instead try a conductive gel ó the kind that physical therapists use when doing ultrasound. Several bike shops including Performance now sell the (marked-up) consumer version called Bah-Bump. I haven't used it yet, but it seems like a great way to maintain a contact between your body and the chest strap.