A Little AD/HD

Exercising in your “heart rate target zone”

by Mark Smith

                                            Available at ADD Consults Store

One Button Simple

I’ve added a few pounds over the last few years … and … that led to my doctor singing the new American Anthem to me.  You know, the one that has the verses about ‘dropping the Big Macä and picking up the vegetable’, and the refrains of ‘put down the remote and put on the walking shoes’. 

With the “walking shoes” (a clever way of saying exercise) comes advice from doctors, trainers and research telling us we need to exercise in our “heart rate target zone” to gain the maximum cardiac benefit.  Well, I still think I am 20 years younger, and my target is still an 8 minute mile!  However, with this 8 minute mile delusion came quick exhaustion, burning muscles, and dejection. 

Seeing my dejection, a friend suggested an exercise heart monitor (no, not an EKG machine with a very long extension cord). After trying the monitor I was able to pace myself and stay in the heart rate target zone.  Plus, I am pleased to say the exercise became easier and more enjoyable, even if the scenery goes by slower with a 12 minute miles.

Based on Internet research and speaking with trainers I purchased a Polar FS3 Heart Monitor.  My degree is in ergonomics, and I have a passion for using technology to make life simple, especially for that little ADD – AD/HD part in all of us.  Therefore, if I find something that accomplishes the “Makes Life Simple” objective, I become an evangelist (with no strings attached, i.e., no paid endorsements) for that product or process.  

What “Makes Life Simple”

q       One button (yes only one) on the entire wrist unit – positioned front and center.  Plus, it is large enough so that you can easily push it.  Most watches, let alone heart monitors, have 4 to 5 tiny little buttons on the side and as a result have taken on the complexity of setting the clock on a VCR (or DVD player for the younger generation).

o       One button is by far the best feature!  With the one button you can switch from:

§        watch to heart monitor mode,

§        heart monitor to file mode (where it displays the results of your last work out),

§        file mode to target zone mode (use the one button to set your target zone),

§        target zone mode to set time mode (use the one button to set the hour and minutes),

§        time mode to date mode (use the one button to set the day and date),

§        date mode to user mode (use the one button to set your age), and

§        date mode back to watch mode.

o       At each step there are clever, easy to understand menu prompts.

o       The user manual has a simple one-page summary/diagram of all the watch functions.

o       When you are exercising there is an innovative approach for changing from heart monitor, to stop watch, to watch and back – just bring the unit up to the chest band, and it changes hands free from function to function.  No need to fumble with even the one button while exercising!

q       Cost

o       Between $70 and $90

o       There are cheaper models and a couple more expensive models, but the FS3 presents a good value for features versus cost.

q        According to the manufacturer

o       Polar FS3 Heart Rate Monitor

o       Model #190028775

o       Included in the package

§        Water resistant receiver

§        Waterproof transmitter and elastic strap

·        Maintenance-free

·        2,500 hours battery life

§        User manual

o       Key Features

§        Continuous Heart Rate Readout

§        Large Display

§        One-button operation

§        Exercise Timer

§        Watch (Time/Date)

§        Backlight

§        Target Zone with Alarm

§        Recalls file after exercise

·        Exercise duration

·        Average and max heart rate of exercise

o       Website - www.polarusa.com

In summary, if you are looking for a wrist watch/heart monitor to manage your heart rate target zone AND you do not want to master 5 buttons and multiple button combinations to set and use the device … then take a look at the Polar FS3.  While I cannot guarantee that you will fall in love with its simplicity like I did, at least by picking up the package to look at the unit you had to set down the remote control … and that is a step in the right direction according to my doctor!

Cheers,

Mark Smith

For over 20 years, Mark has worked with major corporations developing go-to-market strategies, writing business plans, clarifying messages, designing software and websites, simplifying business processes, critiquing product value and applying technology to simplify both industry and individual’s lives.  Mark believes that technology, in all its forms, should be an enabler to make life simpler.  Products should be intuitive and not require the manual (to set the VCR clock).  After all, technology should not aggravate that little bit of ADD - AD/HD in all of us.

As a strategy and process simplification consultant, international lecturer, and author; Mark has been assisting corporations, government agencies, start-ups, and individuals that want to use technology to add value and keep it simple for that little bit of ADD – ADHD in all of us.

Mark can be reached at mark@OpenGateAdvisors.com or at his blog www.alittleADHD.com.