Is a heart monitor useful when walking?

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  1. Dr. Bijoy Khandheria
     

    A heart monitor is useful for any exercise, including walking, since it tells you your heart rate.

    To get maximum value out exercising or walking, one must exercise at his or her target heart rate, starting with a warm-up to reach the target heart rate and then ending with a cool down.

    The target heart can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220 to obtain your maximum heart rate. Then multiple your maximum heart rate by 65% and 85% to find the range of your target heart rate.

    For example, 220 – 32 = 188 (maximum heart rate for a 32-year-old person). 188 X 0.65 = 122.2 and 188 X 0.85 = 159.8. That gives you a target heart rate range of 122 to 160.

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  2.  Jonathan Penney
     

    A heart monitor can be useful at any time. If you want to stay within a certain heart rate range then having a monitor will be much easier than stopping and reading your pulse. Monitors are beneficial to anyone and everyone. Another test would be the talk test. If you are able to talk during your exercise then your exercise level would be moderate. If you are unable to produce full sentences then your exercise level would be considered intense.

    More Related Answers from National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A heart monitor can be useful at any time. If you want to stay within a certain heart rate range then having a monitor will be much easier than stopping and reading your pulse. Monitors are beneficial to anyone and everyone. Another test would be... More