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

have heart-rate zones you can set to keep your run at the right level, and at the top of the scale, your HRM can act as a virtual coach. We tested eight models from across the spectrum.Dunlop Velocity, £60 Features 3 target HR zones, interval timer

money? Basic Models "Basic HRMs let you set limits and control heart rate intensity for individual training sessions, record exercise duration, calculate calories burnt and record the time spent in and above your set heart-rate zone

Heart-rate monitors vary hugely in price and functionality. For less than £20 you can pick up an HRM that simply measures your pulse, while parting with £150+ will give you a monitor that will set training zones for you, tell you how many calories

-compatible, top-of-the-range tools.Bion BN25 £59.99 Choose from five different pre-programmed activities: walking, aerobics, hiking, jogging and running. These help the monitor set upper and lower heart rate (HR) limits and count calories burned. Four target zones

, countdown timer, Hi/Lo Target Zone with audible and visual alarm.Reader Review The GT5 is heart-rate monitor with all the typical functions; basic stopwatch, training zones, interval training and the ability to record workouts and then upload them to a PC

hill workouts. Don't go overboard though: climbing a steep incline of 11 to 15 per cent is more of a strength-training workout than a running one.Target Heart Rate Heart-rate zone programs are ideal for recovery runs because they force you to maintain a

to store multiple run data for future perusal.Heart-rate monitor Not all entry-level watches come with them, but training within target heart-rate zones is a useful alternative to running at a target speed.Functionality Using your watch should not require a

, including pace, distance, heart-rate and heart-rate zones. Useful features include a “Finish” mode, which counts down a predicted time over a specific distance, telling you if you’re off-pace and adjusting your predicted finish time. The SDM uses an arm

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