Advanced Heart Rate Monitor Features

Here is a list of some additional features that may be found on an advanced heart rate monitor (on top of basic and intermediate features):

Fitness Test
Personalised Fitness Training Program
Relaxation Measurement
Data Transfer to Web Site or PC for Analysis
Protection against Cross Talk Interference
Speed and Distance Measurements

Fitness Test

Your can have your cardiovascular fitness tested on some advanced heart rate monitors (e.g. Polar FT60). This feature is known as OwnIndex on Polar monitors. The end result can be comparable to a VO2 Max measurement. If you do this fitness test periodically, you will be able to see if your training has resulted in an overall improvement of your fitness over time. This feature is good for keeping up your motivation and measuring your progress.

Personalised Fitness Training Program

This feature is a very useful one, particularly if you have not worked out a structured training plan. Some monitors (e.g. Polar FT60) can help you customize a personal training program, on a session-by-session basis, on what you need to achieve in terms of duration, calorific consumption and intensity of your workout. The customization will take into account your current fitness and your training goal. This is probably as close as you are going to get to having your own personal trainer.

Relaxation Measurement

This feature measures how you relaxed you are. You can do it in the morning, before or after an exercise. The more relaxed you are the better the measurement will be. This feature is available on some high end Polar monitors (e.g. Polar FT80).

Data Transfer to Web Site or PC for Analysis

Some monitors support the transfer of the training data stored on your wrist watch to either a web site or a PC for further analysis. Make sure you know it is to which one, though, as they are quite different. If the transfer is to a web site, your data is stored on the web server, not locally on your computer. In that case you will also need an internet connection to access your data and to do the analysis. However, it is more common to download data to a computer and use PC software for analysis. Furthermore you may also find yourself needing a microphone or a speaker to do data transfer between your computer and your heart rate monitor wrist watch (e.g. many Polar models). So check the manufacturer's specification carefully.

Protection against Cross Talk Interference

Some high end fitness heart rate monitors come with coded wireless analogue transmission from the chest strap to the wrist watch. Compared to non-coded wireless analogue transmission, this feature offers enhanced protection from cross talk interference i.e. you are less likely to have your monitor readings disturbed by other users of heart rate monitors exercising nearby. A few heart rate monitors come with digital transmission. With these monitors, the chances of a cross talk interference are minimal but they can't interface with gym equipment such as treadmills.

Speed and Distance Measurements

Measuring speed and distance for runners usually require a separate foot pod to be worn. The foot pod then transmits speed and distance information to the wrist unit to be displayed real time while you are running. This is very useful information as it allows you to correlate your input (heart rate as a measure of your intensity) with your output (speed or pace). There are also heart rate monitor systems that use GPS for speed and distance measurements.

Here are some of the top advanced fitness and running heart rate monitors:

Fitness:

Rank Model Features

1
Polar FT60
Polar FT60 is an excellent heart rate monitor with a unique Star Training Program. It intelligently plans your workouts for the week based on the result of the Polar fitness test and your goal. At the end of the week, it gives you training feedback, and plans your workouts for the following week. It can also help track your weight graphically. The FT60 offers manual, automatic, and OwnZone heart rate training zones. After your workout you can review average and maximum heart rates, calorie burnt with fat percentage and time in zones. Furthermore 100 workout sessions can be saved for future review. It supports the optional Polar FlowLink for data transfer to a computer. Finally it can be used with an optional Foot Pod (or GPS Sensor) to provide speed and distance information.

Running:

Rank Model Features

1
Polar RS800CX RUN
Polar RS800CX RUN comes with the S3 Stride Sensor for measuring speed, distance, cadence, stride length and running index. It offers manual, automatic and OwnZone heart rate training zones. It counts calories. It offers tests to see how fit you are (Polar Fitness Test) and to see whether you have over- or under-trained (Polar OwnOptimizer Test). Its advanced features include heart rate variability measurement and altitude measurements. It stores up to 99 laps and has 3 timers for interval training. Many training data can be reviewed including maximum and average heart rates, and time spent in/above/below target zone. It has memory for up to 99 workout sessions. It comes with the Polar ProTrainer 5 software to plan and analyse your workout. It uses digital transmission to avoid interference issues. This is a most advanced heart rate monitor for runners.

2
Polar RS800CX MULTI
Polar RS800CX MULTI comes with the G3 GPS Sensor. It uses GPS technology to measure speed and distance information. It support GPS tracking so you can see your route on the computer later. It offers manual, automatic and OwnZone heart rate training zones. It counts calories. It offers tests to see how fit you are (Polar Fitness Test) and to see whether you have over- or under-trained (Polar OwnOptimizer Test). Its advanced features include heart rate variability measurement and altitude measurements. It stores up to 99 laps and has 3 timers for interval training. Many training data can be reviewed including maximum and average heart rates, and time spent in/above/below target zone. It has memory for up to 99 workout sessions. It comes with the Polar ProTrainer 5 software to plan and analyse your workout. It uses digital transmission to avoid interference issues. This is an advanced heart rate monitor for outdoor multisport athletes who do running, cycling, hiking, or cross-country skiing etc.

3
Garmin Forerunner 405CX
Garmin Forerunner 405CX is a heart rate monitor with built-in GPS technology to provide speed, distance, and navigation capabilities. It makes use of the high tech Touch Bezel to act as a multifunction button to change and select various features and options. It has an interesting feature called Virtual Partner which competes against you when you run. You can set not just alerts for heart rate limits, but also alerts for time, distance and pace in the various workout options that the 405CX offers. You can do interval training and take laps. The 405CX has a more accurate heart rate based calorie counter. It saves mutliple run histories which can be transferred wireless to a computer for analysis using the included desktop or online software. It can also be paired with an optional bike speed/cadence sensor. This is one of the best GPS heart rate monitors for runners.

4
Suunto T6d
Suunto T6d is an advanced heart rate monitor providing serious athletes with important metrics such as real time EPOC and Training Effect from heart rate variability and other measurements. It also incorporates an altimeter. You can manually set your heart rate limits. It has a calorie counter, an interval timer, and takes laps. It uses digital transmission to avoid interference. You can upload the training data to online software for analysis. It can be use with other pods when you need it: Foot POD, GPS POD, Bike POD etc. It comes in several colors to suit your preference.

Features: Basic | Intermediate | Advanced

Not sure which heart rate monitor is right for you? Take a look at the Which Heart Rate Monitor page.

Recommended Advanced Fitness HRMs:

Polar FT60

Polar FT60 For Women

Recommended Advanced Running HRMs:

Polar RS800CX RUN

Polar RS800CX MULTI

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS

Suunto T6d