Which HRM Functions?

A heart rate monitor is one of the best ways of keeping track of your training and Bill Stanzeleit want to know what functions to get and which functions are of less use. We have prepared a list for him and anyone else who is thinking of splashing out on a HRM

Question:
I have started to research heart rate monitors. I have never had a HRM before, and I am trying to decide which functions are: a) must haves, b) nice to have, or c) of limited value for bicycle training.

Any suggestions for incorporating a HRM into my training program would also be appreciated.

Hi Bill,

If you are considering making your bike training count then the best way is a Heart Rate Monitor or, as more people are getting these days, a power meter. Power meters are expensive as you need either a different chain set, bottom bracket or rear wheel, depending on which one you get. HRM’s are cheaper and give you fairly accurate information on your training. So here are our thoughts on the functions available and which are useful and the others:

a) must haves:

Pulse, in actual or in percentage.
Time.
Speed.
Distance.
Slope, up and down.
Average speed.
Maximum heart rate.
Minimum heart rate.
Total distance.

b) nice to have:

Calories used.
Altitude.
Down loadable info.
Power, unless with accurate power meter.
Training zones.
Stop watch.
Pedal revs.
Two bike settings.
Average pulse.

c) limited value:

Back lit screen.
Lap times.
Maximum speed.
Minimum speed.
Number of heart beats.

That’s a fair run down on the needs and wants for a HRM, Bill. There are other functions available, but these are the main ones that you need to look out for. A power meter a great way to measure your training improvements, but it has to be accurate and has to measure from either the bottom bracket, chain set or rear wheel, other methods tend to guess your power out put. The same goes for calories used, most HRM’s guess from your weight, speed, time/distance and slope, but will not know if you are riding into a head wind or behind a motor bike. A HRM is the best and cheapest method of monitoring your fitness, make sure it is accurate as this can lead to many problems, even to the extent of thinking you might have a heart problem when you don’t. Good luck and enjoy it.

2 Responses to “Which HRM Functions?”

jezrodando August 17, 2009

An HRM is in my opinion an esential tool for serious training and for racing, especially time trialling as in both cases you need to ride to your heart rate. Training programmes have you training at specific levels for given periods and these levels are based on %MHR (max heart rate). In a time trial you need to be riding at +/- anaerobic threshold – an HRM will indicate the intensity you are riding at.Also, I would add into the “must haves” the training zones rather than them being just “nice to have”. There is loads of info on the web to advise on how to establish training zones to enable you to input the info into your HRM.Finally choice of HRM. Many people go for POLAR. I’m sorry to say that I’ve had nothing but trouble with my POLAR units (CS100 and a F4, both of which have had to be returned for repair on two occasions due to unreliable information). I would strongly recommend separate HRM and cycle computer. Cateye is probably the best computer whilst for a pure HRM unit, I find it difficult to provide a sound recommendation due to my bad POLAR experience but I do have a couple of units I bought from DECATHLON (own branded units) and I find these to be quite good and reliable. If you want to go whole hog then go for a GARMIN GPS bike computer and HRM combined but beware, it’s expensive but probably the best you can get and now being used by more pro teams.

Jim Correia August 17, 2009