Monitoring your heart rate is crucial for assessing training intensity, improving endurance, and optimizing performance. 

Using a reliable heart rate monitor is the most effective way to achieve this, as it provides accurate and real-time data. This feature allows cyclists to train within specific heart rate zones, ultimately leading to better performance. 

You can choose from various types of monitors, including wrist-based devices, chest straps, or other wearables, each with its own advantages.

In this article, we’ll work through the pros and cons of each and share the heart rate monitors we recommend using. 

Why It’s Worth Cycling with a Heart Rate Monitor

Wearing a heart rate monitor while cycling can provide significant training benefits, making it a valuable tool for cyclists of all levels. Let's take a quick look at why.

Precise Training Intensity Monitoring

Heart rate monitors allow you to track the intensity of your efforts, ensuring they stay within specific training zones. By calculating your heart rate zones (typically 5 or 7 zones), you can target your training more effectively to achieve specific fitness goals, such as:

• Improving endurance

• Burning fat or

• Enhancing anaerobic capacity.

Optimizing Power Zones

When used alongside power data (if available), a heart rate monitor can help you refine your training by correlating your heart rate with your power output. This provides a more accurate assessment of your fitness level and helps you understand how your body is responding to different intensities of effort. 

For instance, if you’re riding at a set power output but your heart rate is unexpectedly high, it may indicate that you’re fatigued or not fully recovered.

Tracking Cardiovascular Progress

Over time, monitoring how your heart rate changes during workouts can help you gauge your cardiovascular fitness. As you become fitter, your heart rate will generally be lower at the same level of effort, indicating that your heart is becoming more efficient.

Personalized Training Zones

Using a heart rate monitor allows you to calculate your Maximal Heart Rate (MHR) and determine your individual heart rate zones. These zones typically range from low-intensity efforts (e.g., Zone 1) to high-intensity efforts (e.g., Zone 5 or Zone 7). 

Training within these zones enables you to focus on specific goals such as:

• Endurance

• Fat loss

• Lactate threshold, and

• Peak performance, which is challenging to achieve based solely on subjective feelings.

Avoiding Overtraining

A heart rate monitor offers real-time feedback on how your body is responding to exercise. If your heart rate is higher than expected, particularly during a recovery ride, it may indicate that you’re overexerting yourself. This feedback helps prevent overtraining and ensures you’re not pushing your body too hard without adequate rest.

Monitoring Recovery

Tracking how quickly your heart rate returns to its baseline after a ride can be a key indicator of recovery. Faster heart rate recovery suggests better fitness and adequate rest, while slower recovery can indicate fatigue or the need for additional recovery time.

Incorporating a heart rate monitor into your training routine can provide valuable insights, helping you train smarter, track your progress, and fine-tune your approach for optimal cycling performance.

Best Wrist/Arm Cycling Heart Rate Monitors

Each of these three monitors offers a unique set of features, catering to different types of cyclists, whether you prefer basic tracking or more advanced functionalities like integration with smart trainers.

Polar Verity Sense

The Polar Verity Sense is priced at approximately $89.95 and is a popular choice for cyclists looking for an easy-to-use wrist or arm heart rate monitor. It provides continuous heart rate monitoring using optical sensors, ensuring accuracy during cycling and other activities.

Pros: 

• Comfortable and lightweight, making it ideal for long rides. 

• Seamlessly integrates with Polar's training app as well as third-party apps like Strava and TrainingPeaks.  

Cons:

• The Bluetooth connection may occasionally drop with certain devices.  

• It is not as durable in extreme conditions compared to chest straps. 

Special Features:  

• Compatible with smart trainers and cycling computers.  

• Waterproof with an IP68 rating, making it suitable for water sports like swimming.  

Wahoo TICKR Fit

Costing approximately $79.99, the Wahoo TICKR Fit is a reliable and budget-friendly option for cyclists seeking a chest-strap alternative. This monitor employs optical heart rate technology for accurate readings and offers Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility for easy connection to various devices and apps.

Pros:

• Comfortable arm-mounted design eliminates the discomfort associated with chest straps.  

• Dual-band Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity allows for syncing with multiple devices.  

Cons:

• Battery life is limited and may not last for very long rides.  

• The bulky design may not be suitable for all users, particularly those with smaller arms.  

Special Features:

• Works seamlessly with Wahoo smart trainers and various cycling apps.  

• Waterproof up to 1.5 meters, making it durable for sweaty rides or light rain.  

Scosche Rhythm24

Priced at $129.99, the Scosche Rhythm24 offers high-accuracy heart rate tracking with continuous monitoring. This model stands out with its built-in display, allowing users to check heart rate data directly on the device.

Pros:  

• Provides accurate heart rate readings with advanced sensors.

• Features vibrating alerts when entering specific heart rate zones, which is ideal for training.  

Cons: 

• Slightly more expensive than some other options in this category.

• Some users have reported syncing issues with older devices.  

Special Features:

• Compatible with most fitness apps and cycling computers, including Garmin, Zwift, and TrainerRoad. 

• Offers up to 24 hours of battery life, making it great for long-distance rides. 

Best Chest Heart Rate Monitor for Cycling

These four chest heart rate monitors offer high levels of accuracy and valuable insights into your cardiovascular performance. They range from basic heart rate tracking features to more advanced metrics, making them ideal for both casual users and competitive athletes.

Garmin HRM-Pro

The Garmin HRM-Pro is priced at approximately $129.99 and is an excellent choice for cyclists seeking precise heart rate monitoring. This chest strap provides both heart rate data and running dynamics, making it ideal for multisport athletes.

Pros:

• Highly accurate heart rate tracking, even during high-intensity training.

• Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth, ensuring compatibility with most cycling computers and apps.

Cons:

• The strap may feel uncomfortable for some users, particularly during long rides.

• It is priced higher than some other monitors on the market.

Special Features:

• Compatible with Garmin smart trainers and cycling apps like Zwift and TrainerRoad.

• Offers advanced metrics, including running dynamics, catering to triathletes and multisport athletes.

Wahoo TICKR X

At a price of around $79.99, the Wahoo TICKR X is a budget-friendly option that provides heart rate tracking, cycling cadence, and advanced metrics like running dynamics. It is suitable for those seeking an all-in-one heart rate monitor with solid connectivity.

Pros:

• Dual-band Bluetooth and ANT+ support, allowing for wide compatibility.

• Includes motion sensors for tracking cycling cadence and running dynamics.

Cons:

• The strap may feel a bit stiff initially, but it generally becomes comfortable once broken in.

• The battery life is shorter compared to some other chest straps.

Special Features:

• Syncs with most fitness apps and cycling computers, including the Wahoo app, Zwift, and TrainerRoad.

• Built-in memory for up to 50 hours of data storage, allowing you to track workouts without a connected device.

Polar H10

The Polar H10 is priced at about $89.95 and is widely recognized as one of the most accurate and reliable chest heart rate monitors available. It features a comfortable strap design and excellent connectivity options.

Pros:

• Outstanding accuracy and reliability, particularly during intense cycling sessions.

• Compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+, facilitating easy connections to most devices.

Cons:

• It has a higher price point compared to some competitors.

• The strap may feel slightly bulky for some users.

Special Features:

• Works with a wide range of cycling apps and smart trainers, including Polar's app and Zwift.

• Waterproof design, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions, including rain or while swimming.

Suunto Smart Sensor

The Suunto Smart Sensor is priced around $79.99 and serves as a great budget-friendly chest strap for cyclists desiring reliable heart rate data with a simple, no-frills design.

Pros:

• Accurately monitors heart rate, even during high-intensity cycling.

• Compact and lightweight design enhances comfort during long rides.

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features like cycling cadence or running dynamics.

• It may not be as comfortable as other models for extended rides.

Special Features:

• Compatible with most fitness apps and cycling devices, including Suunto’s own app and third-party apps like Strava.

• Battery life can last up to 12 months, depending on usage.

Overall Best Wearable Heart Rate Monitor for Cycling

The Polar Verity Sense is the leading wearable heart rate monitor for cycling and gets our vote. It features a lightweight and comfortable design, ensuring accurate heart rate tracking. This device seamlessly integrates with smart trainers and is compatible with a wide range of fitness apps. It is priced at $89.95.

Best Cheap Cycling Heart Rate Monitor

The Wahoo TICKR X is an affordable cycling heart rate monitor priced at just $79.99. It delivers accurate heart rate tracking and cycling cadence, and it’s compatible with a range of apps and devices. This makes it an excellent budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance.

Putting Your Heart Rate Monitor to Work

A reliable heart rate monitor is crucial if you want to optimize your training. It helps you maintain the right intensity, track your progress, and avoid overtraining. By staying within your target heart rate zones, you can improve your endurance and performance.

Combine this with JOIN's adaptive training programs, designed to meet your individual needs, whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider.

Start your free trial today and see how JOIN can enhance your cycling experience. Connect your heart rate monitor, share your availability, and begin training right away.