Ten years ago, when I was in elementary school and hadn't yet experienced a "good sweat" at the gym or the side-splitting pain of wind sprints, my dad bought a heart rate monitor.
An engineer and lover of gadgets, my dad has bought in to fitness craze after utterly ridiculous fitness craze.
Our three-car garage stands as a tribute to the Bowflex, the Ab Chair and a pile of dumbbells from the 1980s collecting dust in the corner next to the lawnmower.
So when he began to assemble the extra-large chest strap component -- his physique still didn't quite resemble the models he watched demonstrate the products on late night T.V. -- my sisters and I commenced a round of good-natured mockery.
"Dad, really? This thing looks like it could only hurt your workouts! Do you want the neighbors to see you trotting down the street with that strap accentuating the largest part of you?"
Dad graciously bowed under the taunts of his three daughters that night, as he read the manual for a contraption that claimed to help moderate heart rate, calories and time while exercising.
But the next morning he left early for the gym -- strapped in and with the transmitter watch on his wrist.
But the next morning he left early for the gym -- strapped in and with the transmitter watch on his wrist.
As I was shopping for my boyfriend's birthday last week, I found myself swallowing my preteen doubts and calling my dad.
Since Dad bought his first heart rate monitor, this small, simple fitness accessory's popularity has taken off to the benefit of all levels of athlete.
Marathoners use them to train in their optimal zones, 65-75 percent of maximum heart rate for long runs, 87-92 percent for tempo runs and 95-100 percent for interval repeats, according to an article in Runner's World.
Beginners can use them to assist in weight loss.
And cyclists, swimmers, triathletes and rowers all benefit from knowing exactly how hard, or easy, their heart is working during exercise.
Dad has replaced his heart rate monitor about every two years, and he always sticks with monitors made by Polar Electro.
After talking to him and doing my own research online, I bought two monitors last week: one Polar F6 in black for my boyfriend, and a smaller model in pink for me.
This model works for multi-sport athletes, so it's good for us because we bike, run, row and swim each week.
Each cost a little more than $100, but as our workouts for crew continue to push and strengthen our cardiovascular systems, I can think of no better investment.
Stay tuned for when I post about how I found my max heart rate, and workouts to try when you first get a monitor.
And here's that Runner's World article from earlier in the post. It really convinced me to finally purchase a heart rate monitor!
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