2. Why can’t I measure my heart rate from the wrist? Why do I need to wear a transmitter belt?

 

Heart’s electrical signals cannot be accurately measured from the cardiovascular pressure wave at your wrist. Electrical signals have to be detected closer to the heart, preferably from the chest. Devices that measure heart rate at a millisecond-level accuracy detect the actual pulse of the heart.

 

3. What else training computers do besides heart rate monitoring?

 

In addition to calorie consumption, training computers also provide fitness and relaxation tests, information about training recovery, and let you to create and track weight management and training programs for aerobic and strength training. Complemented with compatible sensors, you can also measure speed and distance, and other data specific to your line of sport.

 

4. I'd like to swim and monitor my performance on a training computer?

 

Many training computers are waterproof, allowing you to wear them while swimming. In addition, if you avoid pushing buttons on the training computer while swimming, you can ensure longer life for the unit. It is worth noting that, for instance, the Polar 2.4 GHz W.I.N.D. technology used in the RS800CX, RS800, CS600X, and CS600 training computers won't work in the water.

 

5. I am pregnant. Is it safe to use a training computer?

 

Pregnant women can safely use training computers. For instance, according to measurements done by Polar, heart rate monitoring products don't harm babies. If you are training when pregnant, it is highly important to stay in the safe heart rate zone, because heavy physical exertion might affect the oxygen uptake of the fetus. A heart rate monitor can help you exercise in the safe zone.

 

6. How reliable is the calorie expenditure calculated by a training computer?

 

The calorie expenditure applications in training computers are usually very accurate. Most devices calculate the results from personal information and from the actual heart rate.

 

Different training computer models may apply additional personal information to the calorie expenditure calculation in order to make it even more accurate. Information applied besides heart rate are age, height, weight, and gender. Other applicable information are oxygen uptake (OwnIndex), resting heart rate and maximum heart rate. The margin of error is only 0.3–0.5 kcal/minute.

 

7. Occasionally, my training computer displays heart rate of over 200. Is it dangerous?

 

A typical training computer transmits information wirelessly. Sometimes, the transmission can be interfered by power lines, traffic lights, or other electromagnetic sources, such as television sets, mobile phones, or computer monitors. Electrical disturbances may cause a training computer to temporary display a heart rate of over 200 bpm. The 2.4 GHz W.I.N.D. technology used in a number of training computers is not affected by other electronic devices.

 

If you have problems with measuring your heart rate correctly, you should move away from the source of disturbance. If the heart rate still varies randomly, slow down and check your heart rate by hand. If your heart rate corresponds to the high reading on the display, you might have a cardiac arrhythmia, but naturally, only your doctor can diagnose it.

 

 

8. Which heart rate zone is the best for my exercise?

 

Your heart rate is a result of many personal, mental and external factors, such as the sport in question, the weather, and temperature. A common guideline for calculating your personal heart rate zone is to decrease your age from 220. The result is your maximum heart rate. The optimal zone for exercise is 65% - 85% of your maximum heart rate. For instance, the OwnZone feature in heart rate monitors can automatically define personal daily heart rate limits for your sport, making exercise efficient and safe.

 

 

9. How reliable fitness test applications on a PC and on a training computer are?

 

Fitness tests included in most products is based on your personal information and resting heart rate. If you can heart rate variability to the equation, you can let the application define your OwnIndex, which is comparable to VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake).

 

 

10. Do I benefit anything from a training computer?

 

Training computers can be used by all people who have a normal heart rate. If you have an arrhythmia, a heart rate monitor can be inaccurate as it is trying to measure signals from the heart. A training computer itself is safe to use because it doesn’t affect any symptoms but only reads heart's electrical signals.

 

 

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