Intermediate Heart Rate Monitor Features

Here is a list of some additional features commonly found on an intermediate heart rate monitor (on top of basic features):

Setting Heart Rate Training Limits as BPM or % of Max HR
Displaying Heart Rate as BPM or % of Max HR
Advanced Automatic Setting of Heart Rate Training Zone
Calories Burnt
% of Fat Burnt
Stop Watch with Lap Recording
Timers
Time in Target Zone
Memory: Saving Training Data from Individual Sessions
Memory: Saving Cumulative Data from All Sessions

Setting Heart Rate Training Limits as BPM or % of Max HR

With this feature, you can choose to set your heart rate training limits in terms of beats per minute (BPM) or percentages of your maximum heart rate (% of Max HR). This can be really convenient. If, for example, you want to train between 65% and 75% of your Max HR (which is 185), you may need a calculator or a piece of paper and a pen to work out what 65% and 75% of 185 are, if you can only input BPM. However, if you can also input % of Max HR, such calculation becomes unnecessary. You can input the percentages directly. It can be a time saver.

Displaying Heart Rate as BPM or % of Max HR

Similar to the above, with this feature you can display your heart beat as BPM or % of Max HR, depending on your choice and preference.

Advanced Automatic Setting of Heart Rate Training Zone

Some basic heart rate monitors can set your heart rate training zone automatically using your age as input. However, some intermediate heart rate monitors take this one step further. These monitors will ask you, at the beginning of your session, to do a series of warm up exercises. Once you have done that, the heart rate monitor automatically determines your optimum heart rate training zone for that particular session. One example is the Polar OwnZone. This is a really neat feature. It determines your optimal heart rate training limits taking into account how well you are on the day of your exercise.

Calories Burnt

This information is usually available only after you finished your workout. You can review how many calories you have burnt during your training session. However, some intermediate heart rate monitors tell you in real time (i.e. you don't have to wait till you have finished) the calories you have burnt so far while you are still exercising.

% of Fat Burnt

This is a useful feature, particular so for those trying to lose weight. It tells you how much of the calories you have used up is due to fat being burnt. If this percentage is relatively low, you probably are not training at the appropriate intensity and duration for weight loss (if that is your session objective).

Stop Watch with Lap Recording

This is a useful features for interval training and for running. You can record a lap when you run past a known distance point. Examples: A complete lap (400 meters) in a running track or a mileage marker during a road race. You will be able to review lap time and split time later on. Furthermore many heart rate monitors will also tell you what your average heart rate was during each lap, a very useful piece of information.

Timers

Timers are useful for interval training, especially when the heart rate monitor has two (or more) consecutive timers. You can use the first timer to set the workout duration, and the second timer to set the recovery duration. These timers will then fire successively, one after the other, for as many cycles as your training require.

Time in Target Zone

This is another summary statistic to remind you what you have done during the session. It tells you how much time you have spent in your intended heart rate training zone during your last session. Some monitors allow you to set multiple consecutive heart rate training zones and let you review how long you have spent in each zone after the session.

Memory: Saving Training Data from Individual Sessions

Most basic heart rate monitors usually can save only 1 session's data. The better ones can often save many more sessions. This feature allows you to review what you did a few sessions back: duration, average heart rate, maximum heart rate, calories and fat burnt, time spent in target zone, your heart training zone limits etc.

Memory: Saving Cumulative Data from All Sessions

The feature sums up the totals for each statistic from all the saved sessions. You can see, for a given period, say, a week, how many times you have exercised, how long in total you have spent training, how many calories in total you have used up etc. It gives you an overall summary of your training.

Here are some of the top intermediate fitness heart rate monitors:

Rank Model Features

1
Polar FT40
Polar FT40 has one great feature: it is able to work out automatically your own fat burning heart rate zone and fitness improvement heart rate zone! Deciding at what intensity to train now becomes a no-brainer. Furthermore it has a fitness test to track your long term fitness. You can review data including average and maximum heart rates, calorie burnt with fat percentage and time in zones. You can save up to 50 sessions' training data, which can be uploaded to the computer via the optional Polar FlowLink device.

2
Timex Ironman Race Trainer
Timex Ironman Race Trainer is an excellent training tool for running and cycling. You can use one of the preset heart rate training zones or you can manually set the zone up yourself. It has large, easy-to-read screens that are easy to navigate. It offers a 5 segment interval timer and takes up to 50 laps. It also features a countdown timer and a recovery timer. You can review data like average/max/min heart rates, calorie burnt and lap times etc. Up to 10 sessions' training data can be saved. It uses digital transmission to avoid interference and supports an optional USB device to transfer data to a computer. Timex Ironman Race Trainer comes in several shapes and sizes: T5K217, T5K216, T5K218, T5K219. This heart rate monitor is highly regarded by serious athletes.

3
Polar FT7
Polar FT7 is very similar to the Polar FT40 in terms of functionality. It has most of the features of the FT40. However it does not offer the Polar fitness test and does not calculate the fat percentage of calories burnt. Just like the FT40, it automatically calculates your fat burning and fitness improvement heart rate training zones. You can review average and maximum heart rates, calorie burnt and time in zones afterwards. Up to 99 sessions can be saved, and data uploaded via the optional Polar FlowLink device.

4
Polar RS100
Polar RS100 is a solid heart rate monitor for running and general exercise. It lets you set up your heart rate training limits manually or automatically. For users watching their calories, it counts calories burnt and works out the percentage of that as a result of burning fat. For users doing running training, it stores up to 99 laps and has two timers for interval training. When you have finished, you can review data like maximum and average heart rates, calorie info, time in/above/below target zone, and detailed summary for each lap. Polar RS100 is a great choice for someone who wants a HRM that is not too simple and not too complicated.

5
Timex Ironman Zone Trainer
Timex Ironman Zone Trainer lets you train in one of the automatically preset heart rate traning zones or in a zone which you manually specify yourself. It takes up to 27 laps and has a simple countdown timer. Its recovery timer feature lets you measure your fitness over time. You can review data like average/max/min heart rates, calorie burnt and lap times etc. It uses digital transmission to avoid interference. Timex Ironman Zone Trainer comes in different shapes and sizes: T5J031, T5H881, T5H911, T5J983. The Zone Trainer is also one of the more popular heart rate monitors.

6
Sigma Sport PC 15
Sigma Sport PC 15 is a well designed heart rate monitor which is intuitive to use and has a large multi-row display, showing you all the information that you want to know. It can automatically set 3 heart rate training zones for you or you can manually set one up for yourself. It counts calories and takes up to 50 laps. You can review the following data: time in zones, exercise duration, average/maximum heart rates and calorie burnt. It also comes with a bike mounting bracket and the chest strap interfaces with most cardio machines. The wrist watch has all the features of an every day watch, and so you can use it just like an ordinary watch too.