Peloton are a brand of exercise bicycles and workout videos that promote energetic, high intensity aerobic exercise. The best heart rate monitors for Peloton bikes identify when a person should slow down and take a break and also detect any irregularities in their pulse.
In this article, we look at why someone may wish to consider using a heart rate monitor with their Peloton exercise bike. We also suggest some specific products that people may find beneficial when working out.
Why is it good to use a heart rate monitor with a Peloton bike?
Monitoring the heart rate is a good way to measure the intensity of exercise. Slight increases in heart rate suggest that a workout is low in intensity, while larger increases in heart rate point to a higher intensity workout.
Learn more about heart rate here.
Several studies suggest that exercise can improve the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. However, a person should only exercise under a doctor’s supervision. In some cases, a doctor may recommend monitoring heart rate to avoid placing the heart under excessive stress.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that a person’s maximum heart rate is 220 minus their age. So a 20-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 200, while a 40-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 180.
The CDC also explain that moderate intensity physical activity should cause the heart rate to rise to 64–76% of the maximum, while high intensity exercise should elevate it to 77–93% of the maximum.
What to look for in a heart rate monitor
Home wearable heart rate monitors, particularly those that people wear on the wrist, are not as accurate as electrode-containing chest monitors. Therefore, they may not be safe for people whose heart rate must remain within a very narrow range.
These individuals should speak with a doctor to discuss the most suitable and accurate wearable option for monitoring their heart rate while on a Peloton bike.
Types of Peloton bike heart rate monitors
Various wearable devices work with Peloton bikes to measure heart rate and track activity. These include chest straps, wristwatches, and arm bands.
When looking for a device, whether it be a wristwatch or a chest strap, a person should consider what is most important. For instance, an integrated device may be less accurate but could alert the person about notifications from applications such as email and social media. Conversely, a chest strap may provide more accurate readings but will not integrate as well with the person’s digital life.
Please note that no one at Medical News Today, including the writer, has tried these products. All information is research-based.
Chest straps for Peloton bikes
People can choose from several chest straps that integrate well with Peloton bikes.
One example, which researchers have looked at, is:
Polar H7
A 2019 study that compared the Polar H7 chest strap monitor with a few wrist heart rate monitors found that it was the most accurate in all exercise conditions. Polar claim that the H7 is compatible with a range of apps and uses Bluetooth to send updates to other devices, such as iPhones.
Since the study, Polar have introduced several newer models.
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