New Technology for Treadmills

Your heart rate will control the speed of the treadmill.

Sounds crazy, right? It's the newest thing in high-tech sports equipment. You can use the hand rails on the machine or your own chest monitor that plugs into the machine and than by adding a few numbers about your condition the machine will calculate your "target heart rate" and control the speed so your workout is at your target heart rate constantly throughout the the time programed.

Heart rate control and heart rate monitors are popular on many exercise machines including treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes.

• Heart Rate Monitor: A treadmill with a heart rate monitor reads your heart rate by connecting with pulse sensors on the side rails or a chest strap monitor. It gives you data but doesn't control your workout.
• Heart Rate Control: Heart rate control dictates the extent of your workout by controlling the exertion level of your treadmill.

Why Use a Treadmill with Heart Rate Control

To get an optimum workout, it is important to pace your exercise. You want your heart rate at the proper intensity level for an extended period of time. If your heart rate gets too high, your activity can become counterproductive. If it is too low, you are not getting any substantial health benefits.

That is why one of the most effective methods for fitness training is through monitoring and controlling your heart rate. This is particularly true when striving for cardiovascular goals. Whether you want to shed a few pounds, train for a marathon, or just feel good about yourself, heart rate training and control can optimize your workout.

Handgrip vs. Wireless Heart Rate Control

• Handgrip Control: Treadmills with handgrip heart rate control require holding on to the sensors located on the side rails. It is awkward for walking, and just not feasible for jogging. Only one type of heart rate control makes sense, and that is wireless.

• Wireless Control: With wireless control, you attach a strap around your chest, and your heart rate is fed to the console. This, in turn, controls the intensity of your workout by keeping your cardio exercise within a predetermined heart rate.

Getting in the Zone

Sally Edwards, author of "The Heart Rate Monitor Guidebook," discusses the value of heart zone training.

It works for 20-year-old athletes as well as 70-year-olds with heart trouble. The goal is to get into a particular zone. She identifies 5 zones:

• The Healthy Heart Zone: 50% to 60% of your individual maximum heart rate. This is a safe, comfortable zone reached by and easy walk. This is the best zone for people who are just starting to exercise. This zone has been shown to help decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol.
• The Temperate Zone: 60% to 70% of your individual maximum heart rate. This zone provides the same benefits as the healthy heart zone, but is more intense and burns more total calories. Achieved through a faster walking speed or a slow jog.
• The Aerobic Zone: 70% to 80% of your individual maximum heart rate. This zone will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory system and increase the size and strength of your heart. Achieved through a steady jog.
• The Anaerobic Threshold Zone: 80% to 90% of your individual maximum heart rate. This is a high-intensity zone is achieved through a "burning" run.

• The Redline Zone: 90% to 100% of your individual maximum heart rate. This zone is the equivalent of running full out and is often used in "interval" training. This zone should be approached with caution and can lead to injuries when sustained for a long period.

Edwards suggests that after determining your maximum heart rate, you can improve your fitness by exercising in several different zones. You alternate in those zones to increase your cardiovascular fitness and vary your exercise regimen.

• I like this idea. I try and stay in my target zone every time I workout but it's not easy to hold the same heart rate for 30 minutes. But with this type of new technology in equipment everyone will be able to get more out of their workout.

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