UAN:190 Article type:ADD PIC OF GRAPHS-->The ultimate accessories in the world of heart rate monitoring are the models that can download their data onto a personal computer. They vary between companies, but most models store the data in the watch

watches on test is its heart rate monitoring functions. There's just the one hear-rate zone compared with the Polar's five, and there are no features like Polar's OwnIndex V02 test.Contact www.nike.com; 0870 700 0988Suunto T6 - £310 (£250 without the foot

with Polar heart-rate monitors then put aside some time with the instruction manual. There’s a lot to learn to do justice to its range of features, from a full range of heart-rate-monitoring functions to various fitness tests and calorie calculations. Its

’t worry, we’ll be explaining alternative methods in future issues. As with all tests and measures, give it a try, but remember that even the best aren’t completely foolproof.Performing A Conconi TestIdeally, you need a heart rate monitor that will record

found that using a heart rate monitor steadied his efforts so that he slowed down even further – but then he found that his times improved. "It involved running slowly and taking lots of walk breaks. And I mean lots. But as time went on, the speed

, invest in a heart-rate monitor. Wear it during races, and use it to compare your average rate over different distances. Most people hit around 85 per cent of their working rate during half-marathons. You should notice that you have a higher heart rate

Chances are you wear a heart-rate monitor on the bike and run but rarely in the pool. So how do you know you're training at the right intensity? One alternative to using a monitor is to measure the intensity of your training using your rate

check out our training-pace calculator for a better indication of how these intensities translate in practice (calculated from a recent race time) or read our ultimate guide to heart-rate training for the most objective way of monitoring your progress

and effort, it might actually be worth leaving your heart rate monitor at home for a few weeks. That way you can avoid the psychological distress of failing to balance your pulse rate with your workload.—Dr Patrick Milroy, RW Medical Advisor

in large numbers on the neat screen while you run. Average pace and distance also appear on screen, enabling you to keep an eye on your progress as you run.An estimate of calories burned is provided, and if you have the heart rate monitor, made even more