Many new runners have been introduced to the usefulness of running heart rate monitors when it comes to enhancing their training. These tools are extremely useful when used properly. While it is very true that one can make great strides in their training with a basic entry level monitor model, the higher end models cannot be discounted for their usefulness.
In general, the lower end heart rate monitors track your heart rate and that is all. This is very useful information, but there are many other things that adding distance tracking technology can do for your progress.
There are two main categories of distance tracking monitors available. They are Global Positioning System (GPS) based technology and footpod based technology. Both have their strengths and weaknesses.
There are several web-based applications that allow you to map your run to track your distance. These can be useful tools if you do not have a distance tracking enabled heart rate monitor or if you have do not use a monitor at all. There are a couple drawbacks, however. Using these applications require that you plan your route ahead of time or that you remember your exact route as you run. In addition to that, most of these applications require you to run on mapped roads to properly track your distance.
By using a distance tracking enabled heart rate monitor, you can add a bit of spontaneity to your workout. You do not need to plan out your routes ahead of time, for example, in order to properly gauge your distance. The key decision, of course, is whether you find the convenience of these high end gadgets to be worth the extra cost. They are generally priced in the hundreds of dollars, as opposed to entry level models which are priced well below 0. If you decide to take the plunge, here are some key points to keep in mind.
GPS Based Technology
GPS based technology is the satellite based navigational system used in a variety of gadgets, such as automobile based navigational systems and smartphones. This very technology is also used in heart rate monitors. GPS enabled monitors make it possible to track your running time and distance as you travel through your route.
What is especially useful about a GPS heart rate monitor is the ability to track your routes on maps by downloading them to a computer based application. Doing this allows you to track things such as altitude fluctuations during the course of your workout. This type of information is invaluable as you become more experienced with your training. It also eliminates the pre-planning needed when using web-based mapping applications. The watch will give you real time distance readings as you progress through your workout.
One downside to keep in mind when considering a GPS enabled device is that, in general, GPS technology tends to have difficulty in densely populated urban areas. Larger cities, with very tall buildings, tend to have very spotty GPS reception. This can render your device inaccurate or completely inoperable. The same issue can occur if you decide to take your runs off road onto trails. If you are running in an area that has very dense tree cover, you may experience the same problems with reception.
Footpod Based Technology
Footpod technology provides the same distance tracking benefits that GPS technology does. Units using this technology can also be used to download workout information to computer applications. The biggest benefit of footpod technology, however, is that it negates the biggest drawback of GPS technology. Since a footpod is essentially a souped up pedometer that mounts to your running shoe, it does not rely upon satellite reception to track your distance. This benefit makes it an attractive option for urban runners or those that run under thick tree cover. It also makes it possible to keep distance data if you run on an indoor track.
While footpod enabled devices do have benefits, they do have some drawbacks to balance out those benefits. Footpod devices will keep all of the distance data that a GPS device will, but it is unable to track your exact route. So, if you are looking to keep a virtual diary of your runs, including the exact route, you will still have to manually enter your routes in an online application.
Another drawback is the construction of footpod units. The footpod units are generally well designed, but can be a bit bulky for some. If you are at all uncertain about whether having the pod tied to the top of your shoe will bother you or not, stick with a GPS monitor or find a way to sample a footpod before buying one.
All in all, if you are an avid runner intent on tracking your progress and improvement in your running fitness, investing the extra cash in one of these higher end devices could be worth it for you. Shop smartly and be clear, up front, about what you want in a distance tracking running heart rate monitor. There are many different minor features to be looked at. You just might find that little gem you have been looking for.
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