America’s Best Cities for Urban Trail Running

Running is one of the best and most popular ways to stay fit. It’s free, it’s easy, and, assuming that you’ve been given the okay from your doctor, it’s one of the best methods of exercise available to improve your overall fitness level.

While running on a treadmill at home or in the gym is fine and will certainly help you achieve your fitness goal, it can become more than a little mundane and boring. Unfortunately, when you get bored with an exercise program it can become more difficult to feel motivated.

Luckily, there are many places around the United States where runners can enjoy the outdoors and a variety of beautiful scenery while utilizing well-maintained urban trails and the more rugged dirt paths that can accompany them. Not only do these trails serve as a way for you to ditch the gym when you want to run, but using them is great way to meet other like-minded runners in your area and embrace the health benefits that come with trail running.

Here are a few of the best places in the country to take advantage of amazing urban trails.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The runners who call Minnesota’s largest city home have a lot to be excited about. The beautiful trail called Grand Rounds is more than 50 miles long and is also recognized as a National Scenic Byway. One of the most popular parts of this trail is known as Chain of Lakes. This portion of the trail is just a little over 13 miles in length and offers runners exceptional views of the lakes. It has the advantage of abundant, natural shade. Purchase one of the many heart rate watches available to keep track of your fitness while running on this beautiful trail. Visit the Minneapolis Parks website for more information.

San Diego, California

San Diego is located on one of the most crowded areas of the California coastline, but as a very active and health-conscious city, San Diego also offers some amazing places to run. The Silver Strand trail begins in Coronado and ends at Imperial Beach. As a 15-mile round-trip journey, this trail hugs the coastline the entire way and provides some incredible views. The abundant hotels, restaurants, and shops along the way make the Silver Strand trail perfect for those times when you want to take a break, cool off, and enjoy the scenery.

Portland, Oregon

Known around the country for its outdoorsy lifestyle and its fair share of unique and eccentric citizens, Portland is a beautiful city perched on the banks of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

Active residents of Portland have a number of running trails to choose from, but the best and most scenic of these is the Wildwood Trail. Located to the west of downtown Portland, the Wildwood Trail is 28 miles long and features both paved and dirt paths. Open year-round, this trail is at its most beautiful during the fall when the local trees show off their beautiful colors.

Austin, Texas

Any city with a young and vibrant population is bound to have abundantly available outdoor activities and Austin is no exception. The city is rife with beautiful parks and scenic areas that just beg to be explored. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of the most popular areas in Austin and is hailed as an urban oasis. With only a little more than 7 miles of trails, Barton Creek Greenbelt makes up for its lack of distance with a number of activities along the way. In addition to running the trails people can swim in the creek and test out their climbing skills on the number of rock overhangs.

Whether you live in an urban area or a small town, there are always great ways to leave the gym behind and exercise in the great outdoors. Consider trail running if you’re looking for a fun and interesting way to burn calories and get fit.

Are You Ready? How to Prepare for a 5K

When many people make the decision to get off the couch and become healthier, they do so with a goal in mind. Typically that goal is weight loss and increased health, but many people also begin training with a more competitive goal in their sights.

5K runs are very popular in the United States, and upwards of 8,500 of these races are held each year. Some are fun races with costumes are not just encouraged but required, some races allow the participants’ dogs to join in, and almost all of them involve a worthy charity. While any race is ultimately a competition, entering a 5K is a fantastic way to assess your own personal best and to reap the rewards of all of your hard work. 

If you’ve been thinking about focusing on a 5K as your fitness goal, check out these great tips to help you get started.

See Your Doctor

You’ve likely heard this advice from everyone once you’ve decided to begin training, but it just might be the best advice you’ll ever get. Not only can your health care provider make sure that you’re healthy enough to start a fitness program, but he or she can also give you tips on diet and specific exercise strategies that can help you succeed.

Additionally, if you sustain an injury while training it can be very beneficial to your healing if your doctor is already well aware of your exercise regimen.

Choose Your Race

Even if you’ve just begun your fitness program, do some research into upcoming 5K races in your area. Choosing a race and registering for it gives you a goal to strive for and a w

ay to hold yourself accountable. Filling out the registration forms and marking the date on your calendar gives you a tangible reminder of the reasons you’ve decided to get fit in the first place.

Additionally, consider a charity race that asks you to solicit sponsors and donations. When your friends, family, and coworkers have donated money and are cheering you on, you’ll be more likely to fulfill your commitment.

Train Hard and Train Smart

Arguably the hardest part of training for a 5K is, well, the training. You’ll need to be focused on and dedicated to your goal to make it all happen. There are many online resources that outline training schedules that are specifically tailored to the first-time competitor, so browse several of them and choose the one that works for your schedule and your fitness level.

Purchase the gear you’ll need as soon as possible. While proper running shoes are the most important part of this equation, make sure that you buy adequate exercise clothing that fits well and provides support where you need it. The sight of your new running gear in the closet can serve as a powerful motivator.

Get a Training Partner

Lastly, consider recruiting a friend. Training with a partner has proven to help beginners train more often and for longer durations than training alone. The constant motivation that you give to each other can go a long way when you’re both focusing on the same goal. Also, when you’re feeling tired and you lose your focus, having a partner can remind you why you began this fitness journey in the first place.

A fitness goal is one of the best things that you can give yourself when you begin a workout program. If that goal happens to be a 5K race then there are many ways to achieve it. Get a health assessment, choose a race, and implement a training program. Before you know it you’ll be crossing the first of what will hopefully be many finish lines.

Change Your Diet to Jumpstart Your Fitness Goals

So you’ve made the commitment to become more fit and healthy through exercise! Congratulations! While we certainly don’t want to take anything away from your amazing accomplishments, there might be a few things that you’re missing.

Mainly, your diet.

Changing one’s attitude toward health and fitness is not a quick process; it takes time to make any type of significant change. However, while adding an exercise program to your life is wonderful, you won’t see the results that you want unless you alter your diet as well.

Calorie counting can make a difference, but it can often feel so complicated that people get frustrated and give it up altogether. A better approach to a diet change might be a whole lot easier than you think.

Here are some fantastic suggestions to help you make better and healthier food choices, without giving up all of the things that you love.

Reduce or Change Animal Protein

One of the single greatest hindrances to your diet may be the animal protein that you eat. Beef can be especially crippling to your diet. However, this certainly doesn’t mean that you can never eat steak or a big, juicy burger again; you’ll just want to make different choices.

When you buy beef you’ll want to be aware of the cut that you choose and the part of the animal it comes from. Rib-eye steaks are juicy and rich in flavor, but it’s the high fat content of that particular cut that makes them that way. The next time you buy beef, choose a sirloin tip steak instead of the rib-eye. With a little bit of tasty marinade this cut can taste great and you will save approximately 200 calories and 30 grams of fat per 6 ounce portion.

Think Asian

Many people who live in countries in Asia enjoy more longevity and a much healthier lifestyle than we do in America. Why is this? Many researchers point to healthier eating habits and greater physical activity as major contributing factors. Before you pack up your suitcase and head to Tokyo, why not incorporate healthier, Asian style food into your menu?

Asian food focuses heavily on vegetables, fruits, and lean protein, often in the form of tofu or fish, and rice. You can combine any or all of these ingredients with some Asian flavors to make a tasty and healthy meal. Sauté your fresh veggies with a little sesame oil and ginger, and add any lean protein of your choice. Chicken or shrimp works well, or you could choose a fried egg. Serve this over a bed or healthy, brown rice and you won’t even miss the potatoes that you might have become accustomed to.

Also, use chopsticks to help you take smaller bites!

When you’ve just started a fitness program it’s important not to skimp on protein. You are trying to build muscle, after all! However, if you choose your proteins more carefully and combine leaner cuts with an abundance of vegetables and healthy carbs, you will feel full and your body will be getting the essential nutrients it needs to get fit.

While it might feel worrisome to think that you’ll never have a rib-eye again, don’t worry. That’s what the occasional cheats are for!

Exercise for Newbies: Tips to Get Fit

The world that we live in places a great deal of emphasis on health and fitness. We’re constantly bombarded with television ads that make sure that we’re all aware of the fact that we’re woefully out of shape. Images of fit and happy people parade across our television and computer screens, which often make us feel worse about our fitness levels as opposed to feeling inspired.

The good news is that exercise comes in many forms and it’s easy to begin a fitness program that suits your needs and level of activity. Of course, you should always check with your personal physician or healthcare provider for a full checkup before you dive into any exercise regime. However, once you have your doctor’s okay, it’s time to get started on the road to health and wellness.

Self-Assessment

You know your body better than anyone, so a self-assessment of your physical capabilities is a great place to begin. Take a reading of your resting heart rate, then take it again after you walk one mile. A personal heart rate monitor from HeartRateMonitors.com can be an invaluable resource as you begin on your fitness journey.

Assess the time that it takes you to walk one mile and keep track of this time over the course of a few weeks. You can also begin to measure your waist circumference, and keep track of this number as well. Often it’s easier to focus on inches lost rather than pounds.

Choose Your Activity

One of the hardest parts about exercising is feeling motivated to do it on a regular basis. If you’re stuck in an exercise routine that doesn’t make you feel good or one that doesn’t feel like very much fun, you’re more likely to avoid it altogether.

Think about activities that you particularly enjoy. If you’re fond of nature why not find hiking trails and hiking clubs in your area? For those who are fond of the water, swimming is a fantastic exercise that works almost all the muscles in the body and is easy on the joints. Even a set routine of walking around your neighborhood or town is a great way to get started and to make sure that you stick with it.

The Trainer Dilemma

When you start on your new fitness program it might seem that hiring a personal trainer at your local gym is a good idea, and for some people it is. However, before you make that decision you should establish that working out in a gym is something that is within the realm of possibility for you.

If you’re interested in working out in a gym, be sure to visit a few of the locations in your area. Set up an appointment with the various personal trainers and ask lots of questions, not only of the trainer but of yourself. Are you motivated enough to maintain a rigorous gym schedule? Is this trainer someone that you can work with? Are you able to take direction and criticism when you’re at your most vulnerable? While working with a trainer can be a great way to get in shape quickly and to learn ways to maintain that fitness, it’s not ideal for everyone.

Deciding to embark on a fitness journey is one of the best choices that you can make for your health. However, we all know that even the best laid plans can go awry. When you’re ready for your personal health and exercise plan to begin, it’s important to start off right. Visit your doctor, do an assessment of your physical condition, choose fun and interesting activities and investigate your local gym.

Once you take that first step toward health you’ll be so glad that you did!

Why You Need to Add Swimming to Your Workout Routine

Many people who work hard to include cardio into their workout and routines walking, running or cycling seem like the most obvious choices for a heart healthy workout. Of course this is true, but if you’re not adding a dose of water to that mix you’re missing out on some incredible cardio benefits.

Time spent at the pool is not just for summer anymore, and many people are realizing the incredible things that swimming does for the body. If you’ve eschewed the pool as child’s play, or believe that it’s not as effective as other cardio activities, then you’re missing out on a fun, thorough, and intense workout that can and will help you reach your fitness goals, with some other surprising results.

Have a Heart

If you’re cycling or running at an intense level, then you’re likely already getting the maximum in a cardio workout. However, if you’re walking or running at a more moderate pace, adding lap time at the pool can really bring your cardio workout to the next level. You’ll want to make sure that your swimming technique is correct and that you’re swimming often enough, so a brief consult with a swimming instructor can let you know if you’re on the right track.

With cardio workouts, it’s important to measure the intensity of your workout by how hard your heart is working. Knowing how hard you’re working is something many people don’t’ know how to gauge. Adding a heart rate monitor from HeartRateMonitors.com can help you know if you’re on the right track for optimum cardio fitness.

Flexibility Is Key

One of the best things about swimming is the fact that most pools are heated. Not only does this keep swimmers comfortable, it has added exercise benefits, as well. The warm water helps muscles to relax, which means that you’re increasing your flexibility with each swim. Your muscles warm up more quickly and you’re able to stretch them much more quickly and efficiently.

If you’re a cyclist or a runner, consider a quick swim after your other workouts. This will help stretch your tired muscles and help prevent soreness and possible injury.

Increased Strength and Endurance

Because swimming uses every muscle group in the body, it’s the perfect workout for increased strength. While swimming is not going to build bulky muscles the way that weightlifting can, it does create long, lean muscles that help to boost overall metabolism. While most of the muscles involved in swimming are located in the upper body, specialized swim classes and techniques shift the work to the leg muscles, thus engaging the entire body.

Swimming is not as intense a workout as cycling or running, so a swimmer can maintain his or her pace for longer periods of time, which builds endurance. Again, this is a win for your heart health, but it also allows for an increase in calories burned.

Because It’s Fun

If the obvious health benefits aren’t enough to convince you to jump in the pool, think about how much fun swimming was when you were a kid. None of that has changed, and swimming is still the most fun you can have while getting fit.

There are a number of swimming clubs located all over the country, and the social aspect of these clubs makes membership worthwhile. Many clubs also organize outings to local lakes or beaches during the summer months, and swimming in open water can add a whole new spin to your workouts. Also, working out with a team of other dedicated swimmers can keep you motivated and help further your fitness goals.

One of the best ways to keep yourself focused on your fitness goals is keep your workouts fresh and diverse, and to add an element of fun. Swimming accomplishes those things and then some. If you’re looking to change up your workouts, jump into a swim routine; you’ll be glad you did. 

3 Ways You Cheat on Your Workout and Don’t Know It

For those who are serious about their workouts the thought of cheating on those fitness routines is akin to sacrilege. After all, why would we put in the sweat and hard work just to sabotage our efforts? Unfortunately, many of us are cheating on our workouts without even realizing it, and it’s time to end those subconscious deceptions once and for all.

If you’re serious about your workouts, and want to make sure that you get the most that you can out of each one, read on to learn just how you can avoid cheating, even if you’re absolutely and completely unaware that you’re doing it.

Hurry Up and Wait

Of course we all have our favorite machines at the gym. Maybe yours is the treadmill or the elliptical, and most gyms try hard to provide enough of the most popular machines for their clients. However, if you find that your favorite machine is occupied, what do you do? If you stand by and wait for the other person to finish then you’re doing it wrong.

The basic idea of any workout is maintain a consistent level of intensity and if you stop to wait then you’ve lost not only time but calorie-burning power. Have a backup plan for each workout so you can easily move on to a different machine or exercise if your first choice is unavailable.

What’s on Television?

Many gyms have upgraded their equipment to include personal televisions on treadmills and elliptical machines, and this is a great way to keep people engaged and entertained while they’re working out. Unfortunately, your favorite talk show or reality show can also be sabotaging your workout.

In some cases, watching television while working out can cause you to slow down. Maybe you want to hear the latest celeb rant more closely, or catch every frame of that scandalous video. Whatever the reason the fact of the matter is that if you’re paying close attention to the television you’re not paying close attention to your workout. Try turning off the TV which will help you focus more on your workout intensity.

Not Going the Distance

We’re all guilty of this one, but it’s also the cheat that does the most harm to our best laid workout plans. If you start late, stop early, or just simply give up when things get a little tough, then you may have just unwittingly destroyed your workout for the day.

If you attend an exercise class, show up early so you have time to stretch and gather any necessary equipment. Consequently, budget your time accordingly so that you can devote your full attention to the class and see it through until the end. If you’ve dedicated a set amount of time for walking or running, or using various machines at the gym then don’t stop until that time is over. If you can tack on an extra ten minutes at the beginning or the end, the end results will be that much better. The moral of this story is simple: you won’t get the maximum benefits of a workout if you don’t devote the maximum time to it.

We all want to be our most fit and most healthy selves, so it’s always going to be beneficial to make the most of our workouts. Be certain that you’re giving each workout your very best effort, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals.

How Smart Cardio Can Help You Meet Your Weight-Loss Goals

For many people who are working to achieve fitness goals, cardio workouts inspire intense love/hate relationships. Cardio workouts can be time consuming and monotonous, and after the initial weight loss you may be frustrated when you quickly hit a plateau.

Fitness experts keep saying that cardio is an integral part of a workout routine, but they are also quick to describe all of the ways that we’re doing our cardio wrong. The frequency and duration of cardio workouts, it turns out, are not as important as the intensity.

That’s right, intensity.

It might come as something of a blow to those of us that think an hour on the treadmill while watching cat videos on YouTube counts as cardio. If that statement sounds familiar, read on to learn how you can maximize your cardio workouts and achieve your fitness goals much more quickly.

Map Your Workouts

If you feel like you’re stuck in a cardio rut, don’t despair. You’re not alone. Many people feel quite comfortable in their cardio routine without realizing that they’re likely sabotaging some of their fitness goals.

Start keeping track of your cardio exercises. If you’re running, walking, or cycling, make a note of the distance traveled and the time that you spent doing it. Then decipher your miles per hour rate. Experts say that traveling three miles over the course of an hour each day is the amount of exercise needed to maintain the weight of an average woman. Surely we can do better than that.

Many people use heart rate monitors while they map workouts, as well. Keeping track of your heart rate while you exercise can provide you with important information that will help you move on to more intense workouts.

Increase the Intensity

Most experts agree that intensity is the key to a successful cardio workout. The human body is uniquely capable of adapting very quickly to exercise. While you might think that your current walking or running routine is sufficient, your body says otherwise with a decline in weight loss.

Start slowly in the beginning but focus on pushing yourself each time you walk, run, or cycle. Alternate your current pace with bursts of speed and lengthen the duration of those bursts over time. For instance, if you would describe the intensity of your workout as a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, try to reach a 5 on the intensity scale for one minute out of each ten minutes that you’re exercising. When that pace begins to feel comfortable, it’s time to move up again.

Experts also advise that you consider varying your cardio workouts. For instance, if you’re a runner you should try cycling once or twice a week to challenge your body and its metabolism.

Cardiovascular fitness is important for overall health and it can be a powerful weight loss tool as well, if done properly. Get a clear picture of your current workouts by keeping notes and using a heart rate monitor, then focus on increasing the intensity of those workouts over time. Before you know it you’ll be stronger, more fit, and much closer to meeting your weight loss goals.

Fun Activities That Pack a Calorie-Burning Punch

One of the hardest things about exercising and working out is the fact that most of it lacks the element of fun. Sure, you can catch up on episodes of “Scandal” while on the treadmill, but the fact remains that you’re still on a treadmill, and that’s not much fun.

Thankfully, those who create and design workout methods and routines are constantly on the lookout for ways to keep us engaged in exercise. While these workout creations are becoming more fun, they still don’t fully replace immersive games and sports that are challenging, active, and highly entertaining.

If you’re bored with your current workout and would like to add something new to your routine, consider some of these fun activities that just happen to burn a lot of calories.

Playing With Flying Discs

While many of us are known to play with flying discs (like Frisbees) at the beach or at a backyard barbecue, we might not know that an hour of Frisbee can burn over 500 calories. Of course you’ll have to maintain a steady playing pace for that hour, but if you have a high energy child or an enthusiastic dog, you might find that the hour flies right by.

For the really athletic flying disc enthusiasts, see if there is an ultimate league in your area. Played like rugby but with a disc in place of a ball, ultimate is a high-energy, fun way to work out.

Horseback Riding

Learning to ride a horse can be difficult, but it is also a very physically challenging pursuit. Ask an experienced rider if an hour in the saddle is a workout and they’ll overwhelmingly agree that it is. Almost every muscle in the body needs to be engaged to maintain the proper position in the saddle, as well as to control the 1,200 pound animal you’re sitting on.

An hour spent actively in the saddle can burn as many as 400 calories. A simple trail ride at a walk won’t be enough, however. You’ll need to really work yourself and your horse to achieve the maximum fitness potential that riding offers.

Hiking

Hiking is one of the best ways to get out of a boring workout routine and into something new and different. However, if you really want to maximize your hikes you should consider hiking with a loaded pack.

A few heavy books or water bottles can act as weights, and as you hike with twenty or thirty extra pounds, you’re really taking your efforts to the next level. Your leg and back muscles get a great workout, and you’re raising your cardio benefits, too. Increase the weight over time for maximum results.

Skating

Whether you’re on ice or asphalt, skating is a fun and physical activity that can burn more calories than walking. Fast paced and engaging, skating is perfect for those who want to try something other than walking or running. It’s also relatively low impact so it’s easier on the joints.

Find a skating rink in your area and take the kids or your friends for a fun workout that strengthens your whole body.

It can be a real challenge to keep our workouts fun and exciting while maintaining their health benefits. Try some of these activities to reap the physical and mental rewards.

Take a Hike: High Tech Gear for Your Backcountry Adventures

As the weather grows nicer in most parts of the country there are many avid hikers and backpackers who are itching to get out of town and hit the trails. For some of these people, it may be as simple as a day hike in a local forest or wilderness area, and for others it could be days or weeks spent in rugged backcountry.

Regardless of your personal hiking style, you’re fully aware of the things that you just cannot do without when on the trail. Water, food, and portable shelter are the big ones, but there are many new products on the market that can serve to enhance your experience, safety, and comfort. Once your hike goes high tech you may never hike in any other way.

Take GPS to the Next Level

Personal GPS devices have evolved to the point that most people cannot fathom a hike without one. They can be instrumental in route planning and in emergency situations. However, what if you could combine your GPS system with other useful technology?

Heart rate watches are used by athletes in almost every sport, and hikers can now take advantage of that as well. GPS enabled heart rate watches are available and are perfect for those who love being in the great outdoors. Whether you’re monitoring your heart rate for training purposes or for another reason, a heart rate watch with GPS features could be your new hiking buddy.

Water Filtration Systems and Hydration Packs

If you’re taking a short hike it’s usually no trouble to carry enough water for the trip. However, if you’re planning a hike that is a day or longer it’s wise to bring your own water filtration device and/or purifier.

Many people believe that if you’re high enough in elevation and far enough from grazing animals or human traffic that you can almost always safely drink from fast moving water. That may not always be true, and it’s better to bring your own equipment. Many products on the market today filter bacteria and particulates and kill viruses in one step, which is always going to be the best choice.

Hydration packs have long been used by hikers, but now they’ve evolved a few steps further. Many brands offer filtration devices that can be combined with the hydration pack for ease of filling, which also eliminates the need to carry extra drinking vessels.

Smartphone Apps

We rarely go anywhere without our smartphones, including the backcountry. Thankfully, app developers have realized that apps serving the hiking and backpacking communities are good sellers, and there have been some great ones released recently.

For instance, want to know the name of a particular peak in your line of sight? There’s an app for that. Need maps of all the national parks? There’s an app for that too. There’s even a United States Army survival guide app available that offers possible solutions for every type of emergency.

While you’re planning your backcountry adventures remember to pack the essentials. When you’re done with that, be sure to consider some of these items that just might make your hike a little bit better and a lot more fun.

How Heart Rate Monitoring Can Improve Your Training

In recent years health and personal fitness has gone from buzzword of the day to a high tech industry serving people from all walks of life. Everyone from professional athletes to die hard runners typically use one or more devices to aid them in their training and to help optimize their workouts.

One of the devices that you’ll see used by many is the heart rate monitor. These devices aren’t used for medical purposes; they’re used by those who want to track their heart rate and thus improve their training.

The human heart is a muscle and, as such, it grows stronger with exercise. Monitoring the heart’s function before, during, and after training can help athletes of all disciplines better understand their heart’s fitness level and adjust the training schedule accordingly.

Running

Runners can benefit from heart rate monitoring in several ways. Gauging the level of the heart rate in combination with the intensity of the exercise allows runners to adjust their schedules accordingly. As the runner’s heart rate decreases as the muscle grows stronger, the runner is then able to increase the intensity of the workout without reaching the threshold and risking injury.

Heart rate watches are a good addition to any runner’s arsenal. Not only does the watch monitor the heart rate, but they also include stopwatch and other features that are indispensable to the serious runner.

Cycling

Cycling is one of the best exercises for overall fitness and remains one of the most popular forms of exercise as well. Heart rate monitoring is crucial to the avid cyclist in many of the same ways that it is to the runner, with a few added exceptions.

A cyclist’s heart rate can change frequently during a workout, especially on hilly terrain. It’s important that a cyclist uses the monitor to establish an average resting heart rate before he or she begins training with one. Once the averages are fixed, the monitor lets the cyclist know when the heart rate reaches optimum performance. When that figure is combined with distance, speed, and elevation information the training schedule can be customized around the information.

Swimming

As with the other exercise disciplines mentioned, swimming is all about endurance and reaching peak performance. Swimmers also benefit from the use of a heart rate monitor in much the same way that runners and cyclists do.

Obviously a waterproof monitor is in order here, but those are widely available. Once donned, the monitor transmits the information to the watch or other device and records data. This can be very helpful in the training of swimmers by relaying information such as distance traveled and the time it took to do that, which is something that swimmers can’t check as easily as cyclists.

Heart rate monitoring is also useful for SCUBA divers. A diver can use a monitor to gauge when their  heart rate is higher, which means that the diver is consuming air more quickly and will have less bottom time. If a diver can monitor his or her heart rate over time he or she can actively work to reduce it, which means less air used over the course of the dive.

Every athlete strives to improve their performance across the board. Heart rate monitoring is a proven way for athletes to track their efforts and design training sessions around their peak performances. When workouts are approached this way, everyone is a winner.