GIVEAWAY: The Beating of Your Heart, Baby!

***Giveaway Is Now Closed***

Congrats to lucky winner Heather, who writes: "My beating heart almost exploded last night during my interval workout! My favorite moves are STEP -- absolutely LOVE it."

We don't talk much about heart rate monitors or using heart rate monitoring to train. Here's a little secret I've been keeping from you: I've been watching my heart rate like crazy during my cross-training to ensure I'm getting a good workout, at the right intensity, and that I'm cooling down properly.


Why bother monitoring your heart rate?

Sometimes you may just want to know so you can exercise more effectively (heart rate can help define your easy days from your speed workouts, etc.). Other times, you may have certain restrictions due to health issues. Whatever the reason is, it's good to be familiar with your own numbers.

• My resting heart rate is between 52 and 56 beats per minute.
• When I'm pool jogging, I get up to around 140 BPM.
• Swimming? I can get into the 170s.
• Running -- steady pace -- gets me, again, in the 140s.
• Intervals land me near 180 BPM at times.

I'm looking to learn more about how to use this knowledge to my advantage (tips are welcomed!). But . . . how exactly DO you montior your heart rate? Well, you can do it the old school way like I've been doing -- instructions here. Or, you can enter our giveaway and WIN a heart rate monitor.

HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com, an online store that sells heart rate monitors, pedometers, water bottles, etc. -- basically everything a runner/fitness-enthusiast needs -- has been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway.

The loot: A Polar SF1 Fitness Heart Rate Monitor.


Here's the scoop:

THE PRIZE: One Polar SF1 Fitness Heart Rate Monitor. Value: $59.95.
TO ENTER: Leave a comment with the words BEATING HEART somewhere in the mix.
IN ADDITION: Tell us what your favorite exercise moves are to get your heart pumping.
GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Saturday, January 1st at 9:00PM EST
PRIZE SHIPS: USA only.
ALSO: To win, I need your email address -- so please provide it (or your blog link so I can find it -- just some way of contacting you) or, unfortunately, you cannot win.
PS: One entry per email address is allowed. The winner will be selected using Tara's Random Number Generator and announced Monday (1/3) morning.

Thanks again to HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com for furnishing this generous giveaway. (And be sure to check out their selection of other great fitness products -- plus some great holiday sales!)

GOOD LUCK!


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