HEARTalker Talking Heart Rate Monitor

Talking Heart Rate Monitors

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By Renee Cloe, ACE certified personal trainer

Ever wished you were a rich celebrity? You know, someone with a personal trainer to motivate you during morning jogs on the beach? Perhaps I can direct you to the next best thing (beach not included). Newlife Technologies has created an interactive talking heart rate monitor. It has the usual chest strap but it comes with a pair of earphones instead of a watch monitor. You hear your heart rate in your ear at regular intervals instead of struggling to read a dimly lit, bouncing watch face.

That alone, is a great idea, but it gets even better. The microchip features the voice of fitness experts like Kathy Smith. So, when you start to slack and stare into space, Kathy says, "You’re backing off. Let’s pick up the pace a bit." Each model comes with several different programs. Here’s what’s available on the Kathy Smith Model:

Quick-Start – Doesn’t require any programming. You just put it on and go. It gives you your heart rate at one-minute intervals and the elapsed time at ten-minute intervals.

Getting-Started – A pre-programmed low intensity workout at 55-70% of your maximum heart rate based on age. Great for someone who is unconditioned and just starting to exercise.

Feel Better-Look Better – This is an interval workout. The monitor calculates two training zones based on the age you give it (using the 220-age formula). There is a 5 minute warm-up and cool-down along with four 8-minute intervals at 62%-70% Max Heart Rate and three 2-minute intervals at 75%-80% MHR. You hear motivational messages and out-of-zone reminders as well as heart rate and elapsed time.

In-Control – This one’s for advanced exercisers. It allows you to calculate your target heart rate using whichever formula you choose, and then set your own upper and lower heart rate limits. You don’t receive any heart rate feedback from Kathy unless you slip out of your target zone.

Some other nice features include an available adapter to listen to both the HEARTalker and a portable stereo at the same time, pre-installed batteries, audio instructions, one button control for every function, and affordable pricing. The Denise Austin model comes with slightly different programs. The no-frills Ken model just gives you heart rate and elapsed time. The HEARTalkers are priced between $59.95 and $79.95.