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Why use a heart rate monitor?
By monitoring heart rate (HR), the simple observation that the
harder we exercise, the faster our heart beats is put to good use. Professional athletes and amateurs alike have
for decades been relying on the information provided by their heart rate monitor for the following reasons:
A HR monitor is like a rev counter, giving a precise measurement of exercise intensity.
Training at your own pace is possible with a HR monitor.
Direct measurement of HR during exercise is the most accurate way to gauge performance.
Progress can be monitored and measured, increasing motivation. It maximizes the benefits of exercise in a limited
time. It introduces objective observation. Are you on the right track? Are you improving?
It is a tool for regulating frequency and intensity of workouts. Because of the feedback it provides, HR monitoring
is an ideal training partner.
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Everywhere you go people seem to be talking about exercise.
The health benefits of physical activity have been celebrated since the earliest days of recorded history, but
only a quarter of all adults get the recommended amount of activity. That's at least 30 minutes of moderate activity
five or more times a week. Even worse, close to a third of adults are completely sedentary. That is why it is so
important to monitor your heart rate while exercising.
Exercise benefits not only your body, but your mind as well. Aerobic exercise prompts the release of mood-lifting
hormones, which promotes a sense of well-being. The repetitive cycle of muscle contraction and release that takes
place in yoga or in aerobic pursuits such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or running increases the level
of the brain chemical serotonin, which combats negative feelings. Indeed, there's reason to believe that physical
activity might have a positive impact on a number of mental illnesses, including sleep and eating disorders, dementia,
substance abuse, depression and anxiety disorder.
The benefits of exercise may sound too good to be true. But decades of solid science confirm that exercise improves
your health and can extend your life. Adding as little as half an hour of moderately intense physical activity
to your day can help you avoid serious ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, depression and several types
of cancer, in particular breast and colon cancers. In addition to the disease-fighting properties of exercise,
regular activity can improve the quality of your life and your general well-being in many other ways, such as helping
you sleep better, reduce stress, control your weight, brighten your mood and improve your sex life.
Deciding to start an exercise program is a move in the right direction. But getting started is not always as easy
as it sounds. Household activities such as sweeping or leisure pursuits like gardening can be a good way to get
you moving. But there's no reason to stop there. Coupling this kind of activity with regular exercise will add
to your total energy expenditure and your overall conditioning. The best fitness program will include regular exercise
as well as physical activity. Your heart rate will help you achieve your goals.
A good exercise program has three components: aerobics activity, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
Each of these benefits your body in a different way. Aerobic activity improves your heart health, lowers your risk
for numerous diseases, and can lengthen life span. Resistance exercises strengthen your muscles and bones and improve
your body's ratio of lean muscle mass to fat. Flexibility training keeps your muscles stretched and your joints
limber. Once these three bases are covered with a basic routine, you can think about enhancing your exercising
program with other sort of activity. Structured exercise and daily activity will help guide you through starting
and maintaining an exercise program that suits your abilities and lifestyle. A heart monitor will safely and efficiently
guide you to your goals. A Polar heart rate monitor allows you to monitor your heart rate while you exercise and
is an important part of any effective training program and the personal solution for anyone interested in losing
weight, improving fitness or reaching their athletic best. The Polar monitor is the number one brand in the world.
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