Wahoo Heart Rate Monitor

A heart rate monitor is a fantastic tool for the serious athlete, whether amateur or professional. A heart rate monitor allows you to see what your heart rate is, and it allows you to keep track so that you can train at fractions of your full heart rate. Of course in this modern, technological age it was only a matter of time before a more advanced monitor came along: a monitor like the Wahoo Fitness BlueHR Heart Rate Monitor.

What is the Wahoo Fitness BlueHR HeartRate Monitor and what makes it so special?

Well, the simple answer is that this monitor takes your heart rate and connects it to your iPhone 4 so that you can get all of your information in one place, recorded onto your personal mobile device. This means that your Wahoo monitor will take all of the important measurements, beam them straight to your phone via a bluetooth connection, and that you can choose to record, send or just watch those figures while you exercise, all the while listening to your music of choice. It's the Wahoo fitness all in one package that's meant to make exercising simpler and more fun for everyone.

While the Wahoo monitor might be a great example of the advances that technology can make, it isn't for everyone. For instance, if you don't have a smart phone, then you won't be able to participate in this particular form of Wahoo fitness, and that's that. Additionally, even if you do have the proper phone that will work with this futuristic monitor, you still have to download a functioning fitness app program that will work with your phone and that will properly interface with the Wahoo monitor. For some people, especially those that prefer a bare bones workout system, this might seem like a little more work than is strictly necessary to get a good workout in. However, if you don’t mind downloading a quick app then this Wahoo fitness tool could prove to be priceless.

That's going to be the crux of using a heart monitor like the one offered by Wahoo; time and technological requirements. If you just want to get out there and get it done, then a simple, arm strap heart monitor will be enough for you. That's especially true if you don't have a smart phone, or don't even take a phone with you when you exercise. So while it's a great idea, and a beautiful technological marriage, Wahoo's heart monitor isn't for everyone.

Train Hard With A Garmin

An important part of any athlete's training program is the recording and monitoring of process in order to determine when gains are being made or progress is slipping. A Garmin monitor is one of the best tools for the task. The Garmin 910XT is a GPS monitor that is loaded with enough features to keep even the most particular athlete inundated with workout information. I certainly was not disappointed with my purchase of the latest Garmin 910XT.

As a GPS monitor that is the size of a normal wristwatch, the Garmin monitor is cutting edge in features. One of the most useful features for improving performance is the Virtual Racer tool which plots previous routes. The display will show how far along you were at a particular time in a previous session and where you are at the moment. That allows you to follow your previous best time pace and no when you are lagging behind and need to up the pace some. It is a great feature that really keeps me excited about running and I am always looking forward to setting a new personal best time. Of course, the unit can also be used for other sports such as bicycling or swimming. 

The Garmin heart rate monitor can watch your vitals just as easily as it can monitor the distances covered during a workout. If you get within the range of a Mac or PC the unit is capable of wireless data uploads in order to use software to track and monitor workout performance. The Garmin heart rate monitor Connect software program can plot data points in graphs across various different metrics. Easily document and share your workout data with others.

Bicyclists can train hard with an accessory ANT+ power meter that will interface with the Garmin unit. A pedal-based power meter can be used to calculate the precise output of your biking performance. Using such a power meter can allow one to see the full pedal stroke force profile. This addition allows for monitoring of power and cadence in both legs separately. The Garmin Vector is one such compatible accessory.

There really is no reason for any serious athlete not to own a Garmin monitor as it is certainly one of the best ways to take training to the next level. If you are serious about improvements then the cost of a Garmin is reasonable with respect to the gains that will be made.