Q: I have been mountain biking for about nine years now and about three months ago I purchased a road bike. I would like to get a heart rate monitor to aid in my training. Do you have any thoughts/recommendations on heart rate monitors? I have been looking around a little, but there are a number out there. I would not mind spending the money as long as the monitor will have the functions to assist in training. - B.S., Albany, NY

A: I've found all of the monitors on the market to be equally reliable. It's really a matter of how many features you want, and which of them you will really use. The high-tech athletes like to have monitors with a download feature, which allows you to computer-analyze data six ways from Sunday. But expect to pay dearly for this option: probably well over $400. Next in price is a monitor with a memory and programmable zones. It allows you to recall data by zone and record it after a workout or race, if you're so inclined. (Some even have multiple zones.) This type may cost around $200. The most basic option, and the cheapest (about $100), has no memory but displays real-time data only and warns you with an audible tone when you are outside of the preset zone.

One thing I look for in a monitor is a chest strap with replaceable batteries. Some require you to replace the entire chest strap when the battery goes dead, and this gets expensive. I also prefer a monitor that isn't coded. Coding prevents other monitors close to you from interfering with your display, but I've never found interference to be a problem in a race or workout when using non-coded monitors. And coded models aren't compatible with chest straps or wrist receivers, which you may decide to purchase in the future.

I now have about six monitors, including my first one from 1984. If you take good care of a heart rate monitor, it will last a long time.

Source: fitlinxx.com