Can You Really Measure Your Heart Rate on a Treadmill?

Experts say it’s important to monitor your heart rate while exercising and this includes using a treadmill; many machines offer a heart rate monitor, but do they really work? Several kinds of monitors are offered on these machines such as ones that clip to your finger or even your ear. Hand heart rate monitors and heart rate EKG belts you wear around your chest while working out all claim to give you a good idea of your heart rate. Here is a rundown on how each of these systems works.

Chest Heart Rate Belt with EKG Signal

Many runners and treadmill users swear by the monitor saying it gives them the most accurate readings as it is closest to the heart. These monitors are flexible as they are a strap that most say is comfortably worn on the chest just below the bust line. The strap has built in electrodes that transmit the heart rate to the monitor.

The advantages of this type of monitor are more reliable readings, they are comfortable to wear and many of treadmills come with the technology built right into the machine.

The drawback to this monitor is its ability to be affected by electronic equipment such as TV’s, computers and any other electrical equipment close enough to interfere with the signal. If you are wearing one of these monitors at the gym and others are as well, you will need to keep at least a 2 ½ foot distance from them so the readings are not affected.

Hand Area EKG Signal Monitors

This monitor detects EKG signals through the hand; making it obviously less accurate than from the chest, but still possible. The monitor is able to sense the heart rate through either the palm or the fingertips. These monitors are usually found on the handle bars of the machine or hand grips; generally these grips are metal.

An advantage to this type of monitor is its self contained and anyone is able to use it without special training.

A drawback is you must stop moving your hands and arms in order to get an accurate reading. There is no continuous reading of your heart rate; the monitor only reads your vitals when your hands are placed on the detector. There is also a short delay in the readings.

Ear Lobe and Finger EKG Monitors

These types of monitors can come in various styles like hand held units and wrist watch style; other styles include ones integrated into the treadmill itself. They have small infrared sensors on the surface of the monitor. Users place their finger or thumb on the window giving the sensors the chance to detect changes in the heart rate through the blood pumping in the capillaries.

Earlobe monitors work the same way, only they clip to your ear. These monitors are great for ease of movement and easy to use. You can also use these comfortable and without worry in a gym setting. The drawback is too much head movement or any kind of major movement can give a false reading. Many also find the small wire annoying when trying to work out.

Heart rate monitors will give you a good idea of where your heart rate is during treadmill exercise, but they are not foolproof nor will they always give completely accurate readings. All of these monitors are easily purchased on their own or in conjunction with a treadmill.

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