As February is observed in the United States as American Heart month the Newsfitness.com team have researched the 3 main steps that you can easily implement in your lifestyle that will help your body fight heart disease. These are during meal times creating a healthy heart conscious diet, completing regular exercise and quitting smoking.

Heart Healthy Foods

What are the foods that are highly recommended by the expert nutritionists that will help to fight off heart disease? Below is a list of a few foods that have previously been proven to aid the heart.

1.) Nuts

Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E especially almonds which contain healthy oils and fiber that helps keep cholesterol level low. A lower cholesterol will aid blood flow around the body. This is important as it means the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to meet the bodies blood demands.

2.) Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that help reduce free radicals that can damage the cells of our body. Tomatoes are also rich in Vitamin C, E and potassium that helps control blood pressure and prevent cancer and heart disease cataracts.

3.) Berries

Berries including acai berries and Blue Berries are rich in antioxidants that help subdue the damaging effects of free radicals in our body and prevent other chronic diseases. They are also rich in fiber and can lower your disease risks and even prevent memory loss.

4.) Beans

Beans have been found to have high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, protein and soluble fiber that can help lower risk of heart disease and other body ailments. When cooking, beans are a great substitute for other staple items such as potatoes and rice as they have a much lower carbohydrate levels.

5.) Salmon

Salmon contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin that help fight free radicals within our body. Salmon is also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids that will help keep us away from heart disease.

6.) Whole grains

Eating your breads with whole grains which are full of fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamins can reduce the risk of heart attack and prevent other diseases such as cancer and hypertension.

7.) Green Veggies

Green leafy vegetable are prime source of vitamins, magnesium, fiber, folic acid and many other nutrients that guards our heart and keep us healthy.

It is important to make sure that your dietary habits start to include the above foods. This will help your body to reduce the risk of heart attack, cancer and other diseases. Whilst a change in diet is essential it is also imperative to exercise.





Exercise Regularly to Help your heart

It’s a known fact that A Lack of regular exercise increases the risk of heart disease. Small or limited amounts of physical activity can be good for your heart if done regularly and over the long term.

How does Exercise help your heart? Regular Exercise will:

• strengthening the heart muscle
• making the heart more efficient
• improving the flow of blood to the heart muscle and
• improving the heart's ability to handle stress

There are many forms of Exercises however they should include some aerobic activities, resistive exercises, and other active recreational-leisure sports. The best kind of exercise for your heart is regular aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, such as swimming, bicycling, jogging, or walking, helps build up endurance. It should be done for at least 30 minutes 4 to 6 times a week. The frequency, duration, and intensity of the activity should be personalized to your level of fitness with the goal to increase over time. You can find a lot of different exercise articles here that will provide you with different types of excercises. Remember to find an exercise that you enjoy as you are more likely to continue with this into the future.


Quitting Smoking

The effects of smoking on your heart are devastating. Nicotine raises blood pressure and makes the blood clot more easily. Carbon monoxide robs the blood of oxygen and leads to the development of cholesterol deposits on the artery walls. All of these effects add up to an increased risk of heart attack. In addition, the poor circulation resulting from cholesterol deposits can cause strokes, loss of circulation in fingers and toes and impotence.

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One death from Heart Disease is a tragedy however the levels of Heart Disease within the US isn’t a statistic, it’s now at an epidemic level. The sad part of this tragedy is that this can be reversed. Following the Small changes to your diet, regular exercise and reducing or quiting smoking will provide you with a healthier heart to get the most from your life. What choices will you make?

Recent studies in the UK have found that Fitness training isn’t for everyone. It is claimed that 1 in 5 people receive no or little benefit from regular exercise. I would look at this finding and have the headline that 80% of people who exercise receive large benefits from regular exercise. It’s a “glass half full” type of thing for me. The studies conducted were completed on a sample size of 600 people with the aerobic exercise being cycling which is a good low impact aerobic exercise.



The claims for the unfortunate 20% were that they could have bad DNA genes that are affecting the benefits from regular exercise. These 20% shouldn’t be disheartened as moderating your dietary intake can aid weight loss as well. Here are the Fitness News headlines on these topics.

Fitness flop? It's all down to the genes, claim researchers

Spent hours sweating it out in the gym but don't feel any fitter? Blame your parents.

One in five of us has inherited 'unfitness genes' that mean no matter how often we pound the treadmill, we'll still be out of puff.

The researchers focused on aerobic fitness but believe our DNA could also affect our ability to burn off fat through exercise.

The finding paves the way for a simple blood test that will tell us whether we should be getting on our bikes to get fit - or taking a less strenuous route to good health.

Researchers from 14 institutions around the world asked more than 600 people to take up cycling and tracked subsequent improvements in their aerobic fitness. Read More…

Study Finds 1 in 5 People Unable to Benefit From Exercise

Are you spending hours at the gym, only to find minimal results?

You may be able to blame your parents: One in five people are born with genes that can affect your ability to burn fat by exercising, London’s Daily Telegraph reported.

Researchers at London University also found that regular exercise did little to prevent some medical conditions, like heart disease or diabetes.

Dr. James Timmons of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, who led the study, said these people would be better off focusing on alternate ways of staying healthy, like eating right and taking medications.

The study, which is published in the "Journal of Applied Physiology," looked at more than 500 participants who underwent aerobic training for 30 minutes each, five times a week.

Twenty percent of participants found their maximum oxygen increased by less than five percent, and 30 percent of participants were unable to increase insulin sensitivity. Read More..

Millions of people 'waste their time by jogging'

Millions of people who strive to keep fit by jogging, swimming or going to the gym are wasting their time, scientists said.

Researchers have discovered that the health benefits of aerobic exercise are determined by our genes - and can vary substantially between individuals.

Around 20 per cent of the population do not get any significant aerobic fitness benefit from regular exercise, according to an international study led by scientists at the University of London.

For these people, regular jogging and gym work will do little to ward off conditions like heart disease and diabetes which aerobic exercise is generally thought to resist.

Researchers say they would be better off abandoning their exercise regime and focusing on other ways of staying healthy - such as improving their diet or taking medication. Read More….

Hot on the heels of the increase of fitness enthusiasts, the Zumba fitness routine gives men and women of various ages a diverse way of keeping their bodies fit and healthy. Zumba is a fitness exercises that focuses on resistance training as well as interval cardio training in the guise of Latin style beats and dance moves. The short exercises promote fat burning, calorie burning, and muscle toning easy and achievable. Body movement and swaying to the different Latin beats is the one of the basis of Zumba fitness, and it helps enthusiasts shed pounds while having fun.



About the Zumba Workout

Imagine a workout that has you dance Mambo, ChaCha, Calypso, Meringue, and Salsa. Add a bit of belly dancing, rock and roll, and some great tunes and you already have the center workout offered by the Zumba fitness DVD series.

The main ingredients in Zumba are the dance moves. You often feel as you are just dancing around to your heart's content, without a clue that the dances you are doing are part of a program that has been approved by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America, American Council on Exercises and the Canadian Personal Trainer Association as a solidly made exercise routine.



History of Zumba fitness training style

Alberto "Beto" Perez is the main person whom many thank for this fitness phenomenon. One day, Perez, working as a fitness trainer, came into his class without having music planned for the session. In order to keep his class moving and participating, he ran off to his car and took out some of the personal Latin tunes that he already has. And the rest, as they say, is history. Latin style of dancing from the more popular dance routines combined with Latin tunes have made Zumba instructors and participants better dancers all over the world.

After that fateful day, Perez knew he had to branch out and improve his routines, and make the most of the accident that quickly rose in popularity. He researched about Zumba, dances, and music, then headed off to the United States where in 1999, Zumba was officially born.

Have Fun while Losing Weight

Zumba is all about fun plus the added benefit of calories burned. In a single Zumba fitness hour, each person is expected to burn around 1,000 calories, and all the while the participant sure feels like he or she is just having a blast at a party. Each of the moves can be cut down into smaller exercises that are idea to do when you have no time to spare.

Since Zumba covers almost all aspects of exercises, it is easy to see why a lot of people choose to do Zumba. One could only imagine a scenario where Latin beats and Latin moves are done in one room together with some rock and roll laughs. That is definitely not a scene that says "Workout". With Zumba, you never know that you are working out; instead you are just having fun, fun, fun!

It seems that the market is already overflowing with all types of fitness dvds. Today, many people see them as practical fitness options that will aid in maintaining an ideal body weight without spending thousands on exclusive gym memberships. Today, the industry of health and fitness present a very lucrative business opportunity. The profit gained from workout videos alone are surprisingly above what you might have expected. That is why, numerous companies as well as entrepreneurs have already dived into the fitness bandwagon.



However, the question still remains --- do fitness dvd's really work? With a great variety of workout videos that are currently available in the market, it is really hard to keep track which is effective and which is not. In addition to that, different workout dvds are available in various forms. They may come as dance workouts, pilates sessions, yoga exercises, tae bo, and even kick boxing. In fact, new fitness variations are being introduced almost every day.

What to look for in an ideal workout video

Ideally, a good exercise video must be able to encompass all the important aspects and elements of fitness which include body conditioning, cardiovascular exercises, as well as strength and flexibility training. In addition to that, it should also set realistic fitness goals. Remember that in order to drop 1 pound you have to burn 3500 calories. Therefore, make sure to find a workout video that combine a variety of cardiovascular and strength training workouts. This is necessary to encourage effective burning of fats, boost ones metabolism, and generate toned muscles.

Benefits and advantages

Perhaps, one of the best things about fitness DVD's is the fact that they are very convenient to use. As long as a DVD player is available, you can practically play it wherever you want. Aside from that, they are relatively inexpensive as compared to typical gym memberships. Moreover, you can do the workouts on your most convenient time. Plus, you do not need to be self-conscious since you are doing the workouts at home. You also won't have an excuse not to work out since the DVD is very much accessible 24/7. Furthermore, most of the workout videos sold today is formulated and performed by world-class, experienced, and top-notch fitness teachers like Billy Blanks, Denise Austin, Jillian Michael, and Kathy Smith.

A Look at Jillian Michaels DVD Workout

If you are looking for good workout video, then you should check out Jillian Michael's Workout DVD's. She is a well-known fitness guru from the Biggest Loser that has produced a variety of workout video. Most of her workout videos give varying toning emphasis. Depending on what particular body area you want to focus, Jillian has already introduced a diverse line of fitness videos targeting the upper body, lower body, and abs. She also has videos focusing on fat-burning, total body, and strength training workouts.

The main advantage of Jillian Michael's DVD workouts is that they are designed for people from all fitness levels. Apart from that, her fitness workouts feature a great combination of varying toning exercises and heart-pumping aero dances to help increase intensity. Furthermore, they are fairly easy to follow even for those who do not have background in fitness training.



The conclusion

The efficiency of any workout videos is of course dependent on your motivational level. Even if the DVD laid out excellent workout moves, if you are not following it correctly and always finding excuses not to do your workout routine, nothing will work for you. At the end of the day, everything will come down to your eagerness and determination to stay fit and healthy! Fitness DVD’s are an excellent cost effective fitness alternative that when used regularly will tone your body and improve your fitness. So to answer the question “Do fitness DVD’s really work?” The answer categorically is if you use it and follow the instructions then yes Fitness DVD’s are an excellent fitness alternative.

Polar F4 Product Review

The Polar F4 model is a petite feminine heart rate monitor ideal for fitness enthusiasts who want to optimize their training sessions. It is the smaller feminine counterpart of the Polar F4M monitor. The big display allows reading the data at a glance while the small strap size keeps the product easily in place even during strenuous exercise.

The product can be used to continuously monitor heart rate and calorie expenditure. It also has full watch functions, including a stopwatch to keep track of exercise duration. A fitness bullet appears each time the user stays within his/her training zone for 10 minutes.


Product Specifications:

• Automatic age-based target zone (% / bpm) - %/bpm
• Backlight - w/o backlight in the North and South America
• Graphical target zone indicator
• Heart rate (displayed as % of maximum heart rate)
• Heart rate (displayed as bpm)
• Visual and audible alarm in target zones
• Average heart rate of total exercise
• Exercise Date
• Fitness Bullets (10 minutes in target zone)
• HR-based target zones with audible alarm
• HR-based target zones with visual alarm
• Exercise Time (total) - total
• Maximum heart rate
• Number of exercise files (with summaries) - 1
• Date and weekday indicator
• Low battery indicator
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm

Pros of Polar F4:

• Easy to use
• Small and has thinner straps to fit women users
• Has a feminine design
• Relatively big display
• Has an audible alarm if the user is out of the target heart rate zone

Cons of Polar F4:

• Too small for most men
• Has no backlight

Polar F4 Pricing:

Newsfitness.com has scoured the web to find you the best pricing for the Polar F4. Below are a sample of the best priced Polar F4 available.

Customer Reviews

Commonly referred to as a ‘Gym’, a Health Club is a place where exercise equipments are commonly found and used for the sole purpose of exercising physically. A health club or Fitness Center may feature a variety of facilities and services.


Free weights or exercise equipments utilized for strength training (use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles) like dumbbells, barbells and other exercise machines are a must in any fitness center. These equipments are commonly located in the main workout area of most health clubs. Most often than not, the main workout area also has mirrors in order for exercisers to monitor and maintain correct posture as they do their work out.



A fitness center’s Cardio Area or Theatre includes treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers and other equipments for cardiovascular training or aerobic exercises intended for the improvement of the cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen to the body necessary for the body's metabolic or energy-generating process. This cardio area may also feature audio-visual display systems which are either integrated into the equipment or installed on the area walls)to better facilitate and provide entertainment to exercisers during the long sessions of cardio-training.

In health clubs which are considerably recent establishments, they offer group exercise classes supervised by competent fitness instructors. There are different types of group exercises but they are generally based on aerobics, cycling, boxing, regular an hot yoga (Bikram), pilates, yoga, muscle training and high intensity training. Aqua aerobics classes are offered by health clubs equipped with swimming pools.

Bigger health clubs also have sports facilities to offer to their clients. Swimming pools, squash courts or boxing areas are examples of the sports facilities which are often times charged for additional fees when requested for use.

Personal Training is yet another part of most gyms. Personal trainers are available to members of the club for training, fitness, nutrition, health advice and consultations. These personal trainers could devise a fitness routine for each individual that may include a nutrition plan which may help clients to achieve their personal goals in body building. Personal trainers are responsible in monitoring and training members, however in some cases , personal training may cost additional fees on an hourly basis.

Aside from the above stated facilities and services, modern and larger health clubs include health-shops, snack bars, child-care facilities, restaurants, member lounges and cafes. There may also be facilities for sauna, steam shower or wellness areas for members. Of course, these health clubs may charge fees for visitors to access these prime services, equipments and courses.



These mentioned services are offered to members and visitors of a gym or health club on various levels or accessibility. Members usually are offered with premium services covered by the price they have already paid and subscribed to. Health clubs offering basic services may offer lower costs than fully equipped and modern fitness centers. The level of membership may also determine the degree of services a member is allowed to avail such as plain membership(good for a certain period of time only, usually a year) or Gold and Platinum memberships(which may last for years or even lifetime).

The POLAR RS300X is ideal for runners who are actively training. Aside from being a heart rate monitor, the device can also keep track of speed, distance, and time spent in the activity with the help of a compatible S1 foot pad™. The product comes in black or orange color.

The monitor can create a personal training zone which can help the user train at the intensity ideal for him/her – this feature is the basis for the product being called a “training computer”. This heart rate monitor can keep track of 16 training sessions. The monitor displays heart rate in bpm. It also shows the calories burned per training session.

Product Specifications:

• Automatic age-based target zone (bpm/%)
• Average and maximum heart rate of each lap
• Average and maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate (bpm/%)
• HR-based target zones with visual and audible alarm
• HRmax (age-based)
• HRmax (Polar Fitness test-based)
• Manual target zone (bpm/%)
• Polar Fitness Test
• Distance – training, lap, and total
• Speed-based target zones with visual and audible alarm
• Speed/Pace – current, average and maximum
• Training files (with summaries) – 16
• Weekly history
• Automatic lap recording
• Display zoom
• Graphical target zone indicator
• HeartTouch – button-free operation of wrist unit
• Interval trainer guided workouts (heart rate/pace/distance)
• Time and distance based interval timers
• Date and weekday indicator
• StopWatch
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze

Pros of the Polar 300X

The Pros of buying a Polar 300X are that the unit is relatively easy to use and program obviously the first time with the manual. The device as with most of the Polar products is very accurate when used correctly. This model can measure your aerobic rate fitness at rest, it can configure two lines of display, can store up to 16 trainng sessions, has automatic lap recordings, Zonelock and Zone pointer. The unit will meet most of your requirements and some more.

Cons of the Polar 300X

The WearLink strap feels a little chunky and cumbersome and the edges of the elastic can be a little sharp during exercise. The GPS pod took an age to sync and acquire a signal. For the technology some say that the retail price may be a little expensive and a little light on functionality for the sports athlete in comparison to other models

Customer Reviews

The Polar 300X Heart Rate Monitor for the average fitness person will provide all the information plus some required to measure and track your workouts. It doesn't have all the technology of the later models but isn't priced like these either. It is a middle of the range product that is priced about right. You can find the latest prices for the Polar 300X at the Newsfitness Fitness Shop.

As can be seen from our Canadian cousins fitness study, nutrition and exercise is declining which is creating a number of health concerns for the US and world population. This includes diseases like heart failure, diabetes and many others. Weight loss surgery for the larger or obese of the population may be the answer to help you to be able to lead a normal life by reducing the health risks of being overweight. However this may come at a cost. Here are some articles from around the net detailing the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery.

Weighing up the risks and benefits of weight-loss surgery

Weighing up the risks and benefits of surgery is a difficult but important task for any patient. New research into the outcomes of gastric bypass surgery for very overweight people may make that decision easier, by showing the likely increase in length of life for people of different ages, weights, and sex.

What do we know already?

For people who are very overweight, surgery may be the most effective treatment. People who have bariatric surgery (surgery on the stomach or digestive tract) often lose a lot of weight, and this can have a dramatic effect on their health. It can mean people avoid heart attacks and strokes, and can even reverse type 2 diabetes. All of these things can help people live longer.

However, bariatric surgery is not without risks Read More….

Weight-loss surgery can lead to long lives, UC study says

Gastric bypass surgery not only helps patients lose weight but can increase their life expectancy, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati.

Based on the average morbidly obese patient seeking surgery — a 275-pound, 42-year-old woman (BMI of 45) — nearly three years of life expectancy were gained with gastric bypass surgery in a study led by Daniel Schauer, assistant professor of medicine and UC Health physician.

“While gastric bypass surgery has been proven to be effective in reducing obesity and obesity-associated conditions, clinical trials have not identified characteristics of the ‘ideal surgical candidate,’" Schauer said.

“Our goal was to better characterize obesity-related deaths and the risks of gastric bypass surgery and then create a model to estimate the balance between treatment risks and benefits for individual patients.” Read More…

Surgical Options to Battle Obesity

MASON CITY, IA---Obesity is a disease that affects more than 72-million Americans.

Since the 1960's the number of people who are overweight or obese continues to increase.

Some people who have a tried and failed many different types of weight loss are candidates for surgical measures that can help them.

People with a body mass index greater than 40. That would be a man who is more than a 100 pounds and a woman who is at least 80 pounds overweight.

People with a high body mass index with other complications like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are also candidates for surgery.

Mercy Medical Center North Iowa's Bariatric Center offers two options in weight loss surgery: gastric bypass and lap-banding.

Gastric Bypass combines both restriction and malabsorption to induce and sustain long-term weight loss. Gastric bypass is a more involved operation than gastric banding and involves dividing both the stomach and the bowel. Despite its more invasive nature, in expert hands it is a relatively safe and extremely effective form of weight loss surgery. Read More…

Bariatric, or gastric band, surgery can help extend lives of obese people: study

A new study backs up the belief that bariatric surgery is beneficial for losing weight and extending the lives of obese men and women.

But the precise pluses of the procedure vary by individual and are influenced by many variables, including a patient’s age, weight and gender, according to the Guardian.

The research was carried out at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.

In one type of bariatric surgery, a physician wraps a band around the patient’s stomach, reducing its size. Because they feel full faster, people eat less. Read more…

Weightloss surgery can be a lifesaver for some however the surgery could further inhibit your lifestyle with potential fatal outcomes. Understanding of the risks involved with weight loss surgey before going under the knife will lead you to making an informed choice in undertaking this. For more information on weight loss surgery please get advice from your family health care provider and find out all the facts first. Then once you understand the risks and the lifestyle benefits you can make that choice.

Polar: The Company

Polar is a company founded to specifically create and market portable heart rate monitors. Founded in Oulu, Finland, a region well known for its advanced technological research, it is not surprising that the company was able to release the first wireless wearable heart rate monitor in as early as 1982 – just 3 years after the patent for wireless heart rate measurement was filed.

Today, the company continues to be among the top creators of portable heart rate monitors. It is renowned in many parts of the world – with customers full of praises for the company’s innovation and its wide range of products suitable for runners and athletes of all levels. Through the years, it has maintained a reputation of having the best heart rate monitoring hardware and solid electronics and engineering.

Some Representative Monitors

The Polar RS 100, Polar RS 300x, Polar F6, Polar A4 Strapless, Polar F4, and Polar RS800CX heart rate monitors display the approximate number of calories and percentage of fat that a runner burns. The monitors also calculate the training zone intensity of the user following a 5-minute walking and jogging test. As an exercise tool, the heart rate monitor can be used in a variety of activities including swimming as it is waterproof up to 50 meters.

Crosstalk Prevented

Heart rate monitors have become popular over that years that crosstalk among other heart rate monitors became a problem. Crosstalk could mean that the monitor that one runner is using picks up signal from the transmitter of another runner a few feet away. When crosstalk happens, there may be fluctuations in the readings, readings rising rapidly, or sporadic readings recorded. This was solved by coding the heart rate transmission from the transmitter to its monitor partner to ensure that crosstalk will be avoided.

Understanding Some Advanced Features

Some of the more advanced models have features ideal for highly advanced users. For instance, RS800CX comes equipped with a CS cadence sensor for both running and bike training. Cadence is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm) using the bicycle while it is measured as the number of times that a foot (left or right) hits the ground per minute (steps per minute). Like the heart rate, cadence can also be used to set a training zone.

Models equipped with a GPS may be able to measure stride length or the average length of one step, speed, and pace without having to buy additional equipment. The altitude (in meters/feet ascended or descended) is measured using an atmospheric air pressure sensor available in some models.

Differences Among the Products

Polar has a wide range of products that cater to the different needs of each user–whether you want to start a fitness routine, are already active but want to improve your fitness program, or are a serious runner who wishes to maximize your performance. Because each of these products was created with a specific user in mind, each model differs from the others in some ways. For instance, the Polar F4 model was created more for the ladies than for men; thus, the product is considerably smaller in size than the other models (still, you can actually find a male edition).

The monitors created for those who simply want to “get active” (Polar RS100 and Polar F4, for example) have the basic features with a few frills and advanced features including a heart rate measurer, calories or fats burnt measurer, a watch, a timer and a stopwatch.

The Polar A4 model falls under this “get active” category but differs from the other models in that it does not monitor heart rate unless additional gadgets (a transmitter, for instance) are attached to it. For those who wish to “improve fitness”, models like the RS300x and Polar F6 offer the basic features with other additions. These models offer a fitness test and higher memory, and have the ability to create a fitness diary and training program.

Models like the Polar RS800CX were created for the most advanced users to “maximize performance” so that features like a barometer, altimeter, thermometer, GPS, speedometer and other gadgets have been added on top of the basic heart rate monitoring features to make it a top fitness all-in-one device.

Guidelines to Buying a Certain Model

With so many models by Polar alone, choosing which to purchase can be confusing. The following guidelines will help you choose which one to buy.

1. Ask yourself why you are buying a heart rate monitor. Then, ask yourself in which user category do you belong to? If you are just starting out a routine, you are in the “get active” group but if you are a regular runner/exerciser then you belong to the “improve fitness” group. If you are into extreme and endurance sports, you belong to the “maximize performance” group.

2. How much are you willing to pay for the gadget? Well, if you have a limited budget, something below or close to $100 would already have the basic features needed for running. You can also get the inexpensive strapless monitor but if you want a continuous monitoring, you would need to buy a transmitter for that.

3. Check the product specifications of each of the models to see if you need all the features. If you just run regularly for recreation, buying the advanced (and expensive!) models is not a good idea. On the other hand, if you need a way of measuring your speed, cadence, the altitude you are in, the temperature, etc., then you need to get a model with all these features.

4. Your gender also matters. Some of the models have options for men or women users. Often, these varieties only differ in size and color but all features are often similar–though there are models which include calculations best suited for women users. Still, some models are especially created for women – an example is the F4 model – so, be on the lookout for gender appropriateness or gender-based size especially if you are buying the products online.

Check out the comparison below so that you will get an idea as to what model or product range you should consider buying.

A Comparison

Let us compare 3 of the models presented above: the RS100, RS300X, and the RS800CX which are representatives of the “get active”, “improve fitness”, and “maximize performance” categories, respectively. The basic RS100 is the cheapest (at $119.95) while the RS800CX is the most expensive (at $419.95 to $499.95). RS100 can display text in English only and can save just 1 training file – RS300X can display text in English, German, French, and Spanish and can save 16 training files – RS800CX can display text in all these languages plus Italian and can save 99 training files.

RS300X has the smallest face of the three while the RS800CX has the largest. The RS800CX model also contains the most number of features. In fact, it contains features that the three others do not have: it can act as a thermometer, barometer, and altimeter and can record combined training files and intervals between successive heart beats for use in the analysis of heart rate variability using the ProTrainer 5 software. The user of RS800CX also has the option to use the gadget to remind him/her of training sessions or various tasks; the gadget also has a user-replaceable battery and dual time zone.

In terms of measuring body parameters, RS100 and RS300X can only measure the average and maximum heart rate of each lap and training period while the RS800CX can also measure the minimum heart rate. Moreover, heart rate can be displayed as bpm or % or % HRR (heart rate reserve) in RS800CX as opposed to bpm only in the two models. Because the RS800CX is designed to “maximize performance”, it also comes equipped with the Polar OwnOptimizer which helps the user set the gadget to ensure increased training performance without overtraining or undertraining. =

In terms of training features, RS300X and RS800CX both have automatic lap recording, display zoom, time and distance based interval timers, ZoneLock (locks the gadget to a desired training zone), and ZonePointer (indicates if the user is within the target zone).

It is easy to judge which among these models is the best as Polar RS800CX has the highest number of and more advanced features available for the user. However, if these models were judged according to the needs of the user, it can be quite difficult to find the best model in terms of that certain category because what use would those extra features (which make the model cost more) be for the average runner? Thus, it is better to determine which user could benefit most from a certain model.

All of these product models are available at the Newsfitness Fitness Shop.

Who Should Buy It?

If you buy the heart rate monitor at a local (mortar-and-brick) store, you can see firsthand how the gadgets look. While there, you might as well ask for a test to be done to find out the differences among these gadgets – this will help you choose the right product for you. By checking some of the products mentioned in the above review, it could be concluded that each of the products is ideal for a certain user. The features tested in the models help point to a certain user group that the product was specifically created for, the people who would benefit most from buying that certain model.

The Polar RS 100 is ideal for beginners who need to have something to keep track of their heart rate and fitness. Because the gadget has all the basic body measurement features needed for an exercise session, it can be used by students wishing to monitor their heart rate for gym or physical education classes, office workers who need to find time and motivation to exercise so as to augment their sedentary lifestyle, and other regular users who just wish to have a gadget to make sure they are not pushing their hearts too much when they exercise.

Recreational runners who wish to have all the essential timing, speed, distance and heart rate features will like the Polar RS 300x. This model is ideal for those who run daily or at least several times a week – it does not matter if the user is young or old, student or worker as long as he/she exercises on a regular basis. This would be a good gadget to give to marathon runners who often practice for a long-range activity.

The Polar F6 model is used by runners who want to make sure that they are running or training at the intensity ideal for them–be it low, medium or high intensity. This gadget is especially important for those users who are training on their own and do not have a coach or teacher to guide them. For instance, a student who wants to try out for the school’s track and field team needs to first train him/herself first so that he/she can get into the team.

Those who do not want to have gadgets attached to them while exercising but need to measure their heart rate at some point may consider using the Polar A4 strapless model. Because the model is actually quite inexpensive compared to the others, this is ideal for those who are low on budget. This is also good for users who exercise at sporadic intervals. For instance, the office worker who wishes to join the annual company-organized marathon might want to buy this gadget for use during the yearly event only as what use would advanced products be when he/she only uses the equipment once or twice in a year?

The Polar F4 product is the best model for women and for those who are looking for a gadget with the basic features at an affordable price. This is a relatively inexpensive model – in fact, it is the least expensive of the continuous heart rate monitors reviewed here. Thus, aside from being ideal for women users, it is also a great option for those on a tight budget but need a monitor that could continuously record heart rate.

Lastly, the Polar RS800CX model is preferred by those who want a device ideal for achieving maximum performance in intense trainings and endurance sports. It can be used by those who regularly compete for various regular and extreme sports such as cycling, running, kayaking, triathlon, long-distance races and marathons, cross-country skiing, and racing. Because of the altimeter, barometer, and thermometer features, it is a great gadget for those who want to climb Mt. Everest or other high-altitude places.

The Polar F6 Heart Rate training computer has all the essential functions that an active fitness enthusiasts need in terms of monitoring his/her heart rate and fitness training. This monitor helps keep track of the heart rate (displayed as bpm or % max HR), exercise duration, calories and percentage of fat burned, and the time of the day.

The Polar OwnZone feature can be used to create a personal training zone while the exercise diary stores and displays several weeks’ worth of exercise data which also include how many times the user exercised plus the time spent in various exercise zones. It also displays fitness bullets for every 10 minutes spent within the set training zone.

Polar F6 Product Specifications

• Automatic age-based target zone (% / bpm) - %/bpm
• Graphical target zone indicator
• Heart rate (displayed as % of maximum heart rate)
• Heart rate (displayed as bpm)
• Heart rate sets: pre-program favorite exercise settings - 1 set
• Manual target zone (% / bpm) - %/bpm
• Optional bike mount
• Display text in English
• Average heart rate of total exercise
• Exercise Date
• Fitness Bullets (10 minutes in target zone)
• Wireless ECG accurate heart rate
• Exercise Time (total) - total
• Fitness Exercise Diary
• Maximum heart rate
• Number of exercise files (with summaries) - 12
• Date and weekday indicator
• Low battery indicator
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm

Editors Review of Polar F6

The Look and Feel

The Polar F6 is a stylish looking watch with a large display for your fitness statistics. On the side of the watch are the buttons that allow you to be able to transition between the setting and programs available. The monitor comes with a chest strap which is fully adjustable which some people when first using may find a little uncomfortable. This is not dissimilar to any other heart rate monitor watch that used the chest strap.

Using the Polar F6

Initially the Polar F6 with accompanying manual is relatively easy to set up. The chest strap is a fully adjustable and seems a little smaller then some of the older versions of the F6. All the data stored during the workout can be recorded and downloaded to your PC. This data can be analyzed at the Polar Trainer website.

During the exercise if you start to work outside of your target heart rate an alarm can sound warning you of this. This can be helpful when completing group exercise sessions or during intense exercise sessions.

Pros and Cons of the Polar F6

Customer Reviews

great product....but polar will getcha in the end

Rating

So, I purchased the F6 in October of 2006. I use it for cycling and on aerobic machines and it really works great. No complaints about performanace at all and it does a nice job of tracking exercise. I paid $99.95 for the product, which seemed sorta high, but I wanted a reliable product from a good name. Well...in August 2007, the transmitter stopped working. Despite the "2 year" warranty stated above, that does not cover batteries, which apparently was the transmitter problem. So, I sent it back to Polar to fix it...but they can't fix it, they can only replace it. All said, it cost me $52 plus my shipping costs to fix. The "replacement" was clearly not new. I'm not sure if it was mine, but it definitely was not new. So, in less than a year, I've had to shell out about $160 and, if the battery dies again six months from now, I guess I'll have to go through this again. I would not but another Polar product.

*I Have a Geek Toy, I Have a Geek Toy*

Rating

Easy to set up, accurate, user friendly. Just took it for a test drive this morning. Shipping was fast and friendly. Nice user manual. Very explanatory.

Put in your vitals, adjust the strap around your chest and put the pedal to the metal.

I burned 511 calories -- 45% from fat. For 49:51 minutes of work, I spent 14:46 minutes in the 144-160 beats per minute range; with my heart rate topping out at 178 (93% of my maximum for the "moderate training zone"). My average heart rate was 151 for the duration (79% of my maximum). The alarm cued me when to step it up and also when to back it down so I could keep on a better training track.

Apparently, I've been working too hard in the past. Because just as the HRM was yelling at me to back down, I was thinking, "Geez, touchy thingie! I can go way harder and higher than this!" But if it improves my stamina, all the better.

I would recommend reviewing the product manual and setting up your customizations the night before if you are an early morning exerciser. Setup and familiarization with the product/material takes about an hour.

work smarter and harder - worth every penny

I always knew that I should be hitting 65% to 85% of my maximum heart rate while exercising, and I knew that I was sometimes, but this little gadget showed me how far off the mark I was. I had to double my cardio workouts in order to get into the zone where I needed to be to lose weight. Now, I am seeing real results. That knowledge alone was worth the price. Most of us overestimate how hard we work out, spend a lot of time at the gym, and then get frustrated at the lack of results. With this gadget I am able to make my workouts effective not just long and energy consuming.

The features on the A5 model are numerous enough to make this a great toy, and few enough as not to make it too complicated. This model is reccomended by Polar as one for for people looking to lose weight and increase overall fitness. This is not a model for the serious "data junkie" who wants to store all of their workout data in a spreadsheet. I don't think that this is a model for cyclists either. This is a model for someone who wants to know how many calories they've burned, time in their target workout zone, BMI, % of maximum heart rate being reached, and heart rate. You can also perform a fitness test with this model, and that is an interesting feature.

This model comes with a transmitter. The product specifications were not clear about whether or not it came with one. I was confused about that, and ended up purchasing an extra, albiet better, transmitter. The transmitter that came with the A5 does not look comfy, the front part that goes over your chest is made of flexible rubber and the back part is a fabric strap. The extra one that I ordered (for $45) is a totally fabric model called the WearLink, that has one small plastic piece in the front. So, I would suggest you buy a more comfortable mostly fabric transmitter, if you plan to wear it alot.

Purchasing a Polar F6

You can Further review or purchase a Polar F6 by Clicking on the below link or visiting the Newsfitness Product shop.