Cycling Heart Rate Monitors - The Pros and Cons

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise methods as well as the greenest form of transportation.  It is also great for cardiovascular health, a fact most often cited by athletes who are cross-training in the sport as well as by recreational and fitness cyclists.  No matter the aim for taking up cycling, you will most likely require a cycling heart rate monitor for tracking purposes. 

Desirable Features

As with all other fitness and sports products, it cannot be denied that not all cycling heart rate monitors are created equal in features.  You have to carefully choose the heart monitor for many reasons. 

On one hand, it is a sizable investment in money with models running into more than a hundred dollars for a small palm-sized device.  You always want value for money in whatever sports equipment purchased. 

On the other hand, you want accuracy in the measurement of the various fitness factors.  Of course, the most important of these factors are the heart rate in various training zones, the distance covered and speed achieved on certain points along the way, as well as GOS capabilities. 

The other desired features will depend on the purpose for which the cycling heart rate monitor will be used in the first place.  For example, if you are a recreational biker, you may have no use for additional features like a training log whereas a competitive cyclist will consider it indispensable. 

Pros

These benefits of using cycling heart rate monitors apply most especially to competitive cyclists since training is concerned.  With that being made clear, the following are the advantages of using a cycling heart rate monitor in the training sessions and competitions:

• It is a motivational tool in the sense that objective measurements are provided with which to compare against subjective perceptions of performance. 
• It serves as a valuable tool in the analysis of race efforts and, thus, in the formulation of a customized training program.
• It provides information on the distance traveled, speed generated and desired efforts to win the race. 

For beginners and veterans, the cycling heart rate monitors are valuable tools in spotting problems arising from under and overtraining.  You want to objective information from which to base decisions related to your fitness or competitive level.

Cons

There are disadvantages to using a cycling heart rate monitor in training, too.  For one thing, you can become distracted from looking at the monitor one too many times.  Many accidents have been known to happen among cyclists preoccupied with the monitor along the way.

For another thing, your heart rate will not be the same from one day to the next even when you are putting the same effort to the task.  Other factors like mental state will have an effect on the training. 

Still, these disadvantages can easily be surmounted by the right attitude towards cycling heart rate monitors.  You have other ways to monitor performance so use them along with the right cycling heart rate monitor in training sessions and competitions. 

So, do you need a heart rate monitor for cycling purposes?  We believe that yes, you do need one as long as you know the right attitude to it.