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

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

were created by Runner's World members just like you.So if you want to bring a discussion back to life, don't be shy: just add a new message at the end of it. Alternatively, start a new thread on the gear forum. ELECTRONICS AND SOFTWAREHeart Rate

easy this was to use ‚Äì the instructions were barely needed. It's a good HRM for runners looking to lose weight and build fitness, though not complex enough for advanced HRM training.Contact www.reebok.co.ukNike Triax C8, £100 Features Target HR

is generally considered to be the best choice of GPS for runners and its top-end Forerunner 305 shows why. An SDM with HRM, the 305’s many useful features include a virtual training partner and mapping function; you can also download RW’s marathon schedules

and altimeter and a PC-based software package that produces a bewildering array of graphs and training analysis. Nevertheless, it might be more than most runners need or are likely to use. Contact www.suunto.com; 01294 316 218

(Thomas Styles)In Short: Excellent HRM that helps you train more efficientlyStrengths: Suunto Coach is an excellent addition to the Suunto HRMs. It helps you plan training sessions and more importantly recovery sessions. Using the Training Effect meter

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

disappointing. The build and functionality were very basic and despite the low price I’d recommend runners shopped around and found something a little more expensive and comprehensive for their training needs. It does what it says on the tin, but certainly

/walk strategy was better than shuffling (it was), at 23 miles I thought I was having a heart attack (my HRM suggested otherwise) and at the finish another runner told me I didn't look very well (I wasn't). What have I learned/had confirmed? That however good