You may be familiar with heart rate monitoring in running and road cycling, but it is just as valuable during other outdoor sports. There are many reasons to monitor your heart rate:
Pace - You can use heart rate as a speedometer to set a pace that you'll be able to maintain. The personalized nature of heart rate means the pace will be right for you.
Energy expenditure - Measuring heart rate allows the determination of energy expenditure so that you know how many calories to ingest to keep going.
Adaptation - Heart rate responds to internal and external factors, giving you a way to monitor your internal condition (energy expenditure, aerobic fitness and indirectly - hydration) and the effects of altitude and weather. The Polar HRrest test can help you determine how you're adapting.
Intensity - Heart rate is an accurate measure of the intensity of an activity - you'll know how hard you are working.
Safety - Monitoring heart rate can keep you from pushing too hard, thus reducing your risk of injury.
Progress - Heart rate allows you to objectively measure improvements in your level of fitness.
Planning - A plan that includes how hard to exercise, measured using heart rate, will help you accomplish your goals. Use the Polar Fitness Test to measure changes in your level of fitness and evaluate your plan.
Variety - You may think that monitoring your heart rate is too much science and not enough play, but it can actually increase your enjoyment. You can be extremely creative with your time and avoid the pitfall of doing the same thing day after day.