to sit too low (the straps aren’t adjustable) so the signal can take a while to settle down. Contact www.polar-uk.com; 01926 816 177; www.triumph-international.co.uk, 01793 720 232 Timex Ironman Ladies 30 Lap HRM – £80This is not really a women’s heart-rate

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

from total time, lap time, HR or time of day.Contact: 0800 056 1640; www.nike.comReebok Precision Trainer £129.99Displays both HR in beats per minute and as a percentage of maximum HR.Press a single button while running and watch scans through maximum

weight and sex into the calculation. Some monitors also estimate a percentage of fat calories burnt. Five First Steps Roughly estimate your maximum heart rate (MHR) by subtracting your age from 220 (or a little more accurately, 214-(0.8 x age) for men

to report back on the pros and cons of each.The result? These frank and honest assessments of some of the most recent models to emerge from the major brands. Cardiosport GT5 £149 Tested by Andy FowlerFeatures Heart rate shown as a % of maximum heart rate

The smartest HRM on test in both senses (for an extra £15 you can have a metal strap), the USP of the T3 is the 'real-time‚' Training Effect, which shows how hard you are working during a run. In addition to the heart-rate zone, there are three zones for post

be at least 127cm, with 140-150cm preferable for taller runners. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident on the belt, and check that it doesn’t sometimes stutter, slip or slide off-centre. Controls The console buttons for changing speed and incline

1-Pro £1999 Vision 8200HRC £1799 (*Best below £2000*)Kettler Marathon £1725Trimline 2650 £1449 (*Best below £1500*)JK-Exer 938B £1099Proform 570 £800 6 buying tipsWhen you’re treadmill shopping, remember that a more expensive machine is likely

or runners using heart rate training to lose weight. It's also ideal for people who are simply curious about training using heart rate.Contact 02392 257388; www.cardiosport.comSplash out on the…Polar S610IPrice £180What is it? One of the best top

), jog back (1) 4Tuesday: Jog out (1), 12 x 400m with 100m jog recoveries (24), jog back (1) 26Wednesday: Jog out (1), 4 laps steady (4), jog back (1) 6Thursday: Jog out (1), 10 x hill reps and recoveries (20), jog back (1) 22 Friday: Rest 0Saturday: Jog