Heart rate is one of the most important factors when it comes to HIIT workouts. The goal of HIIT workouts is to raise the heart rate, which can be tracked with a heart rate monitor. It helps you determine how hard you’re pushing yourself, which can lead to a more effective workout.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the best heart rate monitor for HIIT workouts so you can start improving your workout in no time.
Best Heart Rate Monitor for HIIT: Chest Straps
Garmin HRM-Pro
Chest straps are the most accurate heart rate monitors.
At the moment, Garmin HRM-Pro is the most popular device. It is compatible with multiple devices and applications, providing accurate and responsive results. It is suitable for all types of sports and can be used in or out of the water.
It provides running metrics like the HRM-Run and various details like stride length, which are not possible to measure with a wrist or armband.
It is relatively expensive but worth the price because of what it offers for intensity training.
Polar H10
If you want a versatile device, this is the one you should get. Invest in the Polar H10 if you want the most accurate heart rate monitor for different types of sport.
Another advantage of Polar H10 is that it has single-activity memory. You can wear the chest wrap, launch training in the Polar Beat app and leave your phone behind. When you get back home, the chest strap will pair with your phone and the data collected will be synced to the phone.
MyZone MZ-Switch
The MyZone MZ-Switch is a versatile fitness tracker that offers accurate results for your workout. It has two sensors, the ECG and optical sensor, allowing it to be worn on your chest and the wrist, arm or swimming goggles.
Its companion app is arguably too cluttered but it can pair with other compatible applications seamlessly.
The chest strap has an incredible battery life of up to 6 months and can store up to 36 hours of workout data.
Best Heart Rate Monitor for HIIT: Arm Bands
Polar OH1
Arm bands are the best alternative to chest straps because they are more comfortable.
Polar OH1 uses optical heart rate sensors to track your heart rate. It has a short battery life of about 12 hours but you will only charge it at least once a week.
Arm bands provide less accurate results than chest straps. They are, however, more precise than a wristwatch. That is because they sit better and closer to your skin than a wristwatch.
Mio Labs mioPOD
The mioPOD is trying to pair running watch features with precise heart rate monitoring. It is an armband but it has additional benefits like haptic and visual feedback on heart rate zones.
Cardio Pilot, the visual feedback feature notifies you when you shift from one heart rate zone to another
The mioPOD companion app allows you to see your heart rate in real-time. However, it is not very intuitive like Garmin and Polar companion apps.
Wahoo Tickr Fit
It is a recent addition to the Wahoo fitness tracking devices and delivers accurate heart rate monitoring results.
It offers a battery life of up to 30 hours, allowing you to track your exercises for about three weeks before recharging. It has Bluetooth and ANT+ Fit, allowing you to pair with different compatible apps. You will be able to get real-time heart rate measurements and workout data.
The Best Heart Rate Monitor for HIIT: Watches
Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 6 has one of the best sensors to precisely track your heart rate, which is effective for HIIT sessions.
The ECG sensor allows you to take medical-level tests of your heart rate and alert you of any irregular heartbeats. It will also notify you if you have abnormally high or low heartbeats, prompting you to visit a doctor as soon as possible to get further medical assistance.
Polar Ignite
The Polar Ignite‘s slim design allows it to fit perfectly on your wrist. That means it will provide accurate heart rate results during high-intensity workout sessions.
The data collected during your workout sessions is synced to your device and you can track your progress, allowing you to improve low-performance areas.
It is designed to be used for all types of sports and it is fairly priced, considering what it offers.
Fitbit Ionic
With an in-built heart rate monitor, the Fitbit Ionic is well-suited for high-intensity training. It has a touchscreen display and can be synced with Fitbit’s Coach personal workout application. It will allow you to go step-by-step in your exercise and guide you through the display.
The watch will give you training recommendations based on the activities you have tracked.
The Best Budget Heart Rate Monitors
Kalenji Dual Heart Rate Monitor Belt
Even though this chest strap is very affordable, it has impressive features. It can connect to other devices via both Bluetooth and ANT+. Several more expensive devices have only one connectivity option.
Although it is not suitable for swimming, the Kalenji Dual Heart Rate Monitor Belt fits comfortably on your skin and it has impressive battery life.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band
The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band has impressive features that are usually common on more expensive smartwatches.
It has a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen, which is bright and intuitive. Other than tracking your heart rate, it also monitors your stress levels and has a sensor for measuring blood oxygen saturation.
The most notable flaw is that it does not have onboard GPS, which may lead to data inaccuracies.
Guide to Purchasing the Best Heart Rate Monitor for HIIT
HIIT is High-Intensity Interval Training and getting accurate metrics for these training sessions is essential. You will require high-quality devices to deliver precise and advanced data of your sessions so that you may go through the information.
There are three common types of heart rate monitors in the market, available for use at the moment:
- Chest Straps: They may be the most uncomfortable devices for monitoring heart rate but if you want preciseness and the highest accuracy, use chest straps. They are worn over the chest and they measure the electrical pulse to monitor your heart rate.
- Optical Heart Rate: Today, there are various smartwatches available for sale in the market, with various functionalities. They can be paired with our smartphones to perform various functions. That has made optical heart rate monitors common. The monitor uses LED pulsations that makes light reflect under your skin. It uses the density of light that comes back to measure heart rate.
- In-ear Optomechanical: They are the most expensive and perfect for people who are into technology and quirky gadgets. They utilize the inner skin of your ear to monitor your heart rate.
Here are some of the most important things to consider when purchasing a heart rate monitor.
Price
Price usually depends on the features the device offers and they vary greatly. Once you know what you want in a heart rate monitor, look for the best device that fits your budget.
Accuracy
Heart rate monitors use sensors together with algorithms to give you data on your activities. That means that some level of inaccuracy exists in the data. For more precise and dependable data, purchase the best heart rate monitor chest straps.
Battery life
Despite packing all the good features, a device is unreliable if it has short battery life. It will allow you to use your device and enjoy all of its features uninterrupted.
Mobile application
Using the companion apps of these devices is essential to get real-time and more detailed information about your activities. Purchase a device that has a friendly user interface and one that has many features.
Water resistance
If you like engaging in activities like swimming, which involve getting underwater, look for a waterproof device. If you are training outside and it starts raining, it will be good to have a water-resistant device.
Choosing the Best Heart Rate Monitor for HIIT
The best heart rate monitor for you usually depends on the type of sport you frequently engage in and how convenient it will be for you.
For instance, if you are into cycling and barely ever go swimming, buying the Garmin HRM-Swim, which is waterproof, is unnecessary. For convenience factors, it is not advisable to buy a Polar H9 if you want to store your workout data to review them later.
At the moment, the Garmin HRM-Pro is the gold standard for heart rate monitoring devices. It is a combination of the best characteristics of Garmin HRM-Swim and HRM-Run. The device is suitable for all sports, provides accurate running metrics and can be used in and out of water.
You should go for the Polar H10 if you need a versatile device. It is waterproof and performs with accuracy even when tracking your heart rate underwater. It is designed for comfort, memorizes information for single activities and provides you with 2-week battery life.
If you are a casual user and highly concerned about comfort, consider armbands like the Polar OH1 or the mioPOD. You can wear them on your upper or lower arm. However, they have a shorter battery life than chest straps.
Christian Scott is the founder and director of MindBodyFit, a website dedicated to providing the latest information on fitness, health, and mental well-being technology. With over six years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Christian is a passionate fitness enthusiast who combines his love for technology and wellness to help others achieve their best selves.
