monitor (HRM). And when you've read the manuals and seen the brochures, and fiddled with all the buttons – that's when you want to know how others have fared when they've actually used the things.The RW forum positively bristles with HRM fans. However

Getty ImagesThe conundrum: push yourself too hard and run yourself into the ground. Don’t push yourself hard enough and never improve. The answer: start listening to your heart, not your head, by using a heart rate monitor (HRM). What does a HRM do

this with some speed, you need to turn to interval training.In an ideal world, you'd be able to use your HRM for every kind of training, but it's less than perfect for short intervals. Imagine running 8 x 1-minute reps with three-minute recoveries. Unfortunately

is actually necessary to improve your performance. And unfortunately, elite and amateur competitors alike often believe that to get better, they have to train more and harder.The answer? The correct use of a heart rate monitor (or HRM for short) in your

GETTY IMAGESMonitoring your heart rate during training sessions has two main uses: observation and control. Observation is the more straightforward of the two, and you can do it whether your heart rate monitor (HRM) is an entry-level unit

simple log of your distance won’t always reflect the effort you’ve put in. A simple HRM, a pencil, a diary and a calculator will give your training a great boost. A computer link-up just gives you added convenience, depth and flexibility, and if you share

your run to make an extra hole in the strap of the huge wrist monitor and then another 10 to fit the chest strap under your sports bra in a way that won’t inhibit your breathing. Realising the potential in this market, more HRM manufacturers

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

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

Q I’ve been trying threshold running, using a heart rate monitor and keeping my mile pace at 10 seconds below my 10K race pace. However, I struggle to maintain this speed, even though my HRM says I’m working at just 60 per cent of my predicted