Heart Rate Monitor

The Garmin 310XT, which includes heart rate monitoring capability.

Heart rate monitors use a strap across the chest to detect the electrical impulses from the heart and display Heart Rate. Using the electrical impulses is a highly accurate technique. The strap is a mild inconvenience, but most modern straps are fabric and reasonably comfortable for running distance up to around 50 miles. For longer distances, chaffing from the heart rate strap can be an issue. A good running watch will include not only a heart rate monitor, but also provide the ability to transfer a recording of the heart rate to a computer for detailed analysis and recording. Also a Pulse Oximeter can be used to measure Resting Heart Rate.