change your workout results by simply knowing your heart rate and resting heart rate. While the heart rate monitor is typically simple, there have been major improvements and upgrades that have been made, which are evident in the FitBit and Apple Watch, which we’ll get into a bit later.
The difference between a monitor worn around the wrist and one worn at the chest is accuracy. The chest strap monitor works by reading the electrical signals that the body creates as the heart works. The wrist monitors take optical readings, calculating heart rate via light signals, sending light into the skin and reading the light that comes back. Electrical signals tend to be more accurate than optical. When exercising, the wrist tends to see quite a bit of movement. That movement creates more data, which shouldn’t be read in the final calculation, but is.
Other Monitors & Tracker Accessories:
You can opt to purchase a separate Heart Rate monitor for your workouts, but they’re typically incorporated into the most advanced wearable technology. This means you can get your heart rate readings from your TomTom Spark 3, your Apple Watch Series 3, your FitBit Alta HR, or even your Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro.
They collect data from all activities, including sleep, however, each accessory has its pros and cons so it’s wise to do research to find the best one for your lifestyle. The Apple Watch Series 3, for example, is waterproof, so for a swimmer, it would be perfect. The TomTom Spark 3 is at a lower price point and does just about everything the Apple Watch does, so if you’re on a budget it may be better for you.
It doesn’t stop there. What’s even cooler is that there are now Heart Rate sensing earbuds, which connect to any music player or phone via Bluetooth. JBL and Under Armour have teamed up to make a version called the JBL UA Sport Wireless Heart Rate Headphones, which gives