Why You Need a Waterproof Heart Rate Monitor

You’ve probably seen a heart rate chart a million times on the treadmills at your local gym. These tell you what your target heart rate should be for your weight and age group to get the most out of your workout. Additionally, the treadmills are equipped with hand sensors that keep track of your heart rate, so you know exactly when to slow down and when to speed up. That is all very convenient, if you want to exercise in the gym on a stationary machine. If you are leaning toward exercising in a more adventurous way, then a waterproof heart rate monitor would be a useful investment.

Why Waterproof?

Waterproof heart rate monitors can work on land as well as in the water. When you have the option of a waterproof monitor, a lot more exercising possibilities open up. It’s always useful to mix up your workout routine and work other muscles, let alone more fun, and a waterproof monitor allows you to be more flexible in your workout habits. Also, when you are in the water, you don’t have a treadmill continually reading your heart rate, and taking frequent pauses to check your rate manually doesn’t seem very beneficial to your workout. Many people who don’t want to keep track of their heart rate will use the “talk test.” If you are able to talk while you work out, and you are still going at a good intensity, you are in a decent workout range. Obviously you wouldn’t want to implement the talk test while you are swimming laps unless you want to get a mouthful of water and look like a crazy person.

Do I Really Need One?

Obviously, working out at all is going to be good for your health, and if you listen to your body, you probably won’t over-exert yourself. However, if you are planning on making swimming, or any other water sport, a part of your normal routine, it would be beneficial to have a monitor. Heart rate monitors are more useful than just making sure you are not exhausting yourself. Studies have shown that the ideal target heart rate for fat burning is from 50 to 75 percent of your maximum heart rate, while the target heart rate for aerobic training leans more towards 75 to 85 percent. Monitoring your heart rate throughout your water workout ensures that you are reaching the goals you have set for your workouts. Also, people who monitor their heart rate are more likely to notice if they are starting to get sick or if there is a more serious problem with their body. If they are working out at the intensity that they normally do and they find they are getting fatigued easier, it could be a sign that something is wrong. These people can seek medical attention sooner than if they didn’t have a monitor. A waterproof heart rate monitor may not just be a nifty new workout gadget, but it could also help save your life.