Heart Rate Monitors

A heart rate monitor gives you real-time insight into your heart rate during exercise, so you can tailor your training to the right intensity. Whether you are working on fat burning, endurance or recovery, by training in the right heart rate zone you get more results from every training session.

Heart rate monitors are available as a chest strap, wristband or integrated in a sports watch. A chest strap measures the electrical activity of the heart via ECG and is the most accurate method, especially during interval training and high intensity. A wristband or sports watch with optical sensor is more comfortable but slightly less accurate with rapid heart rate changes. The main selection criteria are the desired accuracy, wearing comfort, the sport for which you want to use the monitor and the compatibility with your existing sports watch, cycling computer or training app. Also view our complete range of small fitness accessories for more training accessories.

Which heart rate monitor suits you?

The right choice depends on your sport, your training goal and how important accuracy versus comfort is to you. The following scenarios help you quickly find the right direction.

You want the most accurate heart rate measurement for interval training, HIIT or strength training: A chest strap is the best choice. The ECG measurement directly registers the electrical activity of your heart and responds immediately to rapid heart rate changes. With intensive exertion, pace changes and interval training a chest strap remains structurally more accurate than a wrist measurement. Combine with a functional training setup for a complete intensive home training.

You want to comfortably measure your heart rate during endurance sports such as running or cycling: A sports watch with built-in optical heart rate monitor is sufficient for most endurance athletes. The measurement is slightly less accurate than a chest strap but offers more ease of use and also measures distance, speed and route via GPS.

You do not want a chest strap but still want a more accurate measurement than a wrist watch: An upper arm heart rate monitor offers a good middle ground. The optical sensor sits in a more stable position than the wrist, which improves accuracy, especially for sports where the arm moves a lot.

You want to connect your heart rate monitor to fitness equipment such as an exercise bike, treadmill or cross trainer: Choose a heart rate monitor with ANT+ connectivity. Most exercise bikes, treadmills and cross trainers and indoor training platforms such as Zwift support ANT+. If you only use a smartphone or tablet, Bluetooth suffices.

You want to swim with a heart rate monitor: Choose a specifically water-resistant chest strap suitable for swimming. Standard chest straps are often splash-proof but not intended for underwater use. Always check the water resistance specifications before buying.

You want to train in the fat-burning zone for weight loss: With a heart rate monitor you train specifically in zone 2, the fat-burning zone. Combine with a rowing machine or indoor cycle for effective fat-burning training sessions at the right intensity.

What types of heart rate monitors are there?

Chest strap heart rate monitor

The most accurate method for heart rate measurement. The sensor measures the electrical impulses of your heart via ECG and sends the data via Bluetooth or ANT+ to your sports watch, cycling computer or smartphone. Ideal for serious athletes, interval training, HIIT and strength training where rapid heart rate changes need to be accurately registered. Less suitable for athletes who find a chest strap uncomfortable.

Upper arm heart rate monitor

A compact optical sensor you wear around your upper arm. More accurate than a wrist watch because the sensor sits more stably and the blood vessels on the upper arm are easier to measure. A good intermediate solution for athletes who do not want a chest strap but are looking for more accuracy than a wrist watch offers.

Sports watch with built-in heart rate monitor

A sports watch with optical wrist measurement combines heart rate registration with GPS, distance measurement, speed, calorie consumption and often also sleep monitoring and recovery analysis. Comfortable and versatile, but slightly less accurate at high intensity and rapid heart rate changes. More than sufficient for most recreational athletes.

Chest strap or wrist measurement: what do you choose?

A chest strap measures the electrical activity of your heart via ECG and is scientifically the most accurate method. Especially with interval training and HIIT where your heart rate fluctuates rapidly, a chest strap responds directly while a wrist measurement can show a delay.

A wrist measurement via a sports watch is less accurate but offers more comfort and also measures other training data such as GPS route, distance and speed. For quiet endurance training and daily use a wrist measurement is sufficient for most athletes.

Do you want the best of both worlds? Combine a chest strap with a sports watch. The chest strap sends accurate heart rate data via Bluetooth or ANT+ to the watch, which registers all other training data.

Heart rate zones: why are they important?

By training in the right heart rate zone you get more results from every training session. There are five heart rate zones, increasing from very light to maximum exertion. Zone 2 is the fat-burning zone, where you burn a high percentage of fat at low intensity. Zones 4 and 5 are the zones for fitness improvement and maximum performance, where you train your anaerobic threshold. By monitoring your heart rate you always know which zone you are training in and can dose your training precisely to your goal.

What to look for when buying?

Accuracy and measurement method

For maximum accuracy, especially with intensive training, choose a chest strap with ECG measurement. For recreational use and endurance sports an optical wrist measurement suffices. When in doubt choose a chest strap. The accuracy of a chest strap is more reliable at every training intensity.

Connectivity: Bluetooth and ANT+

Check which connections you need. ANT+ is the standard for connecting to fitness machines, cycling computers and indoor training platforms such as Zwift. Bluetooth is needed for connecting to smartphones and most training apps. Most quality heart rate monitors support both protocols. A heart rate monitor with only Bluetooth does not work on equipment that exclusively supports ANT+.

Compatibility with apps and devices

Check whether the heart rate monitor is compatible with your sports watch, cycling computer or training app. Popular platforms such as Garmin Connect, Polar Flow, Wahoo Fitness, Strava and Zwift support most common heart rate monitors. If you use a specific brand of sports watch, preferably choose a heart rate monitor from the same brand for the best integration.

Wearing comfort

Chest straps are experienced as uncomfortable by some athletes, especially women in combination with a sports bra and men with chest hair. Upper arm heart rate monitors are more comfortable and sit more stably than a wrist watch. Sports watches are most comfortable for daily use. Choose the type that suits your wearing preference and the sports you practise.

Water resistance

For swimming you need a heart rate monitor specifically designed for underwater use. Splash-proof is not the same as waterproof for swimming. Always check the water resistance specifications and whether the model is suitable for the sports discipline you want to use it for.

Battery life

Chest straps generally run on a replaceable coin cell with a long lifespan. Some models have a rechargeable battery. Check the battery life in relation to the duration of your training sessions, especially if you train for long periods or multiple times per day.

Our advice: Do you train seriously and do you really want insight into your heart rate zones? Then always choose a chest strap, even if you already have a sports watch with wrist measurement. The accuracy of a chest strap with interval training and high intensity is noticeably better. Many sports watches can moreover be easily connected to a chest strap, so you combine accurate heart rate data with all other functions of your watch. Place a fitness mat down for comfort during floor exercises where you track your heart rate data.

Who are heart rate monitors suitable for?

• Recreational athletes who want more insight into their exertion and want to train more specifically on fat burning or fitness.
• Endurance athletes such as runners, cyclists and swimmers who want to structure their training on the basis of heart rate zones.
• Advanced athletes and top athletes who do interval training, HIIT or strength training and need maximum accuracy.
• Athletes in rehabilitation who want to accurately dose and monitor their exertion within safe heart rate zones.
• Indoor athletes who train on an exercise bike, treadmill or cross trainer and want to connect their fitness machine to a heart rate monitor.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a heart rate monitor but are not yet sure which one best suits your wishes and needs? We will be happy to help you further. You can reach our fitness specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about heart rate monitors

What is more accurate: a chest strap or a wrist watch?

A chest strap is more accurate. The ECG measurement directly registers the electrical activity of the heart and responds immediately to heart rate changes. A wrist watch with optical sensor measures the consequence of the heartbeat via blood volume changes in the wrist, which causes a small delay. With intensive training and interval training the difference is clearly noticeable.

What is the difference between Bluetooth and ANT+?

Bluetooth is the standard for connecting to smartphones and most training apps. ANT+ is the standard for fitness machines, cycling computers and indoor training platforms such as Zwift. Most quality heart rate monitors support both protocols. Check which connection your equipment supports before buying.

Can I use a heart rate monitor for swimming?

Not every heart rate monitor is suitable for swimming. Splash-proof is not the same as waterproof for underwater use. Always check the water resistance specifications of the model and whether it is specifically suitable for swimming. There are special heart rate monitors designed for use in the water.

Can I connect a chest strap to my existing sports watch?

In most cases yes, provided the chest strap and watch support the same connection protocol. Most quality chest straps support both Bluetooth and ANT+ and are compatible with sports watches from Garmin, Polar, Wahoo and other brands. Check compatibility before purchase.

What are heart rate zones and how do I use them?

Heart rate zones are ranges expressed as a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Zones 1 and 2 are light intensity, suitable for recovery and fat burning. Zone 3 is moderate intensity for fitness improvement. Zones 4 and 5 are high to maximum intensity for anaerobic training and performance improvement. By using your heart rate monitor you always know which zone you are training in and can dose your training precisely.

Is a heart rate monitor also suitable for use on home fitness equipment?

Yes. Many exercise bikes, treadmills and cross trainers are equipped with ANT+ or Bluetooth reception for heart rate monitors. Check which protocol your machine supports and choose a compatible heart rate monitor. That way you see your heart rate directly on the display of your machine during training.