When Runner's World readers were asked to list their essential kit last year, heart-rate monitors came out on top. Unfortunately for the female runner, using a heart-rate monitor is usually an uncomfortable experience, requiring 10 minutes before

information to be useful for runners who simply fancy giving heart-rate monitoring a go. It has a simple stopwatch – start, stop and no lap function – but you can keep a check on your current heart rate, your maximum and your average

Whatever type of runner you are, you should give serious consideration to investing in a heart rate monitor. From as little as £40 you can add a whole new dimension to your training. Strap on a heart rate monitor and you’ll never run too quickly

between more than one zone in a session. Summary memory Time spent in target zone during your last run; may also include time spent above/below the zone, and average and maximum heart rate in the session. Sampled memory Storage of your heart rate

to report back on the pros and cons of each.The result? These frank and honest assessments of some of the most recent models to emerge from the major brands. Cardiosport GT5 £149 Tested by Andy FowlerFeatures Heart rate shown as a % of maximum heart rate

button (though the strap is perfectly comfortable, too). The display could be bigger and clearer, but you can scroll through average heart rate, percentage of maximum heart rate, calories burned and time spent exercising. Our tester was impressed with how

The displays on our test treadmills featured combinations of speed, pace, incline, time, distance, heart rate, calories burned, etc. These functions should be clearly labelled, intuitive and easy to read at a glance. The console should be large enough

of your garage. So read on, and buy wisely. Features that matterHere's what we discovered about maximum speed and incline; cushioning; belt size; heart-rate control; safety and more Using your treadmillHere's what you need to know about installation

timer, as opposed to stopwatch, tells you how long you've been running. A scan feature shows you your maximum, minimum and average heart rate, as well as time spent exercising. You can even recall the details of the previous session. Best for New runners

up the back of the screen evenly, usually with a bright blue glow). We reviewed 8 good running watches in April 2002:Adidas FX100 £80Adidas SF100 £50Nike Triax 300 £99.99Nike Triax S Series Stamina 100-lap £99.99Polar S610 HRM £180 (with heart-rate