What are heart rate controlled programs?

Heart rate control programs work by adjusting the intensity of a program to keep your heart rate at a preset level. This level will be a percentage of your maximum heart rate, as a rough guide to calculate your maximum heart rate, deduct your age from 220 e.g. if you’re 35 years of age then your maximum heart rate is around 185. Depending on your fitness level you should workout to a percentage of that figure between 55% and 80%.

Almost all cardio vascular exercise equipment can offer heart rate control, in this instance I have described how it works with regards to treadmills. Other pieces of fitness equipment such as crosstrainers also known as elliptical trainers and exercise bikes work on the same principles.

When using a heart rate controlled program the fitness equipment will need to know your heart rate constantly. This can be either via the heart rate hand grip sensors or via a wireless telemetric heart rate strap which sends your heart rate via radio waves to the console. Most of the treadmills sold have heart rate hand grip sensors; although the disadvantage of using these during a heart rate controlled program is that you have to keep your hands connected to the sensors which can impede your running. This is where looking for a treadmill which you can use a heart rate strap with is useful, as you do not need to worry about holding onto any sensors whilst working out. Most of the treadmills on http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk/ have built in receivers and some come complete with a strap.

Most treadmills will keep your heart rate at the preset rate by increasing or decreasing the speed of the treadmill dependant on your heart rate. Some of the more expensive treadmills, such as the Tunturi T40 treadmill have an incline controlled heart rate controlled program as well as speed. Heart rate control programs offer a safe and effective way to workout.