By using a heart rate monitor while you train, you'll know exactly what impact your workout is having.Unlike trying to judge your own efforts, your heart rate is a completely objective measure of how hard you're working, so you'll be able to fine

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

-to-five scale. This lets you know whether you need to speed up or slow down. It also features Suunto Coach which uses your training heart rates to monitor your progress and recommends five days worth of workouts. It’s a monitor aimed at runners who really like

training tips from the Runner's World Training forum - posted by runners just like you. There's advice for everyone: slow runners, speedsters, newbies, seasoned marathoners and more. (However, if you're a complete beginner, try our 50 Best Beginners Tips

Gone are the days when runners would rate our efforts based on the colour of their cheeks after a run. Heart-rate monitors are now so easy to use, affordable and accurate that there's no excuse for skipping the science bit in your training. Most

TRAINING: GENERAL | Long runs | Speedwork | Hillwork | Heart rate | TRAINING FOR RACING | Marathon | CROSS-TRAINING | Miscellaneous | CreditsThese are highlights and frequently asked questions from our training forums. They were created by members

Liverpool 10K, Merseyside(10/8/06)7591%63 ratings274Barretts Canterbury 10 Mile, Kent(1/29/06)7590%26 ratings275Run for the Children - Regents Park, London(4/26/06)7590%20 ratings276Tamworth Heart Runners 10K, Staffordshire(2/19/06)7590%81 ratings277Cardiff

Training with a heart-rate monitor may no longer be the preserve of the elite, but choosing a model perfectly suited to your needs and budget can still be a minefield of technical jargon and seductive (read expensive) features if you’re uncertain

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

to it than that." - Kirsty B99100%26 ratings5The Easy Runner Sodbury Slog,South Gloucestershire (11/11/07)"The fact I was overtaken by a man dressed as a banana didn't matter. What a right laugh it was. When can I register for next year?" - Natalie Smith