Pulse Rate Monitors

Pulse rate monitors are usually co-opted by the more broad functioning heart rate monitors. Since a pulse is the same thing as a heart beat, why not just get a heart rate monitor that reveals much more information about your workout performance? For one reason or another, some people do not want to sort out so many functions and features, especially when pulse rate can tell you how hard your heart is working.

Some pedometers have pulse rate monitors, in addition to features other than counting steps. The Sportline 355 computes the distance you have traveled and the calories burned, gives running information, and has a clock and stopwatch feature. The Oregon Scientific PE316 PM counts steps, calories, pulse, has a clock and light, and computes distance.

Pedometer Pulse Rate Monitors

Freestyle incorporates a pulse rate monitor into its Ergo Touch pedometer, which is loaded with features. It counts steps and calories, computes distance and speed and running data, has memory functions and a clock and a stopwatch, and counts your pulse rate. This is a top-of-the-line instrument that illustrates that pedometers are not just step-counters anymore!

Finally, Acumen makes a pedometer--Pulsemate--that is almost the equal of the Ergo Touch. It lacks a memory function, but other than that, it has all the features of Freestyle's device. Pulse rate monitors are not nearly as common as heart rate monitors, and they are most often incorporated into pedometers, which are expanding their functions.