If you’re looking for cycling goodies to buy this spring for the new season take a good long look into getting yourself a heart rate monitor (HRM). Even the simplest HRM can help you maximize whatever training time you spend on the bike.

No matter what training program you’re following - and even if you’re just out there having fun - a HRM can help you discover what the ideal training level is for you and it can help you increase your performance in a way that works best for your body. Harder isn’t necessarily better. Overtraining can be just as unhelpful as undertraining. The HRM will help you find out if you’re on the right track with what you’re doing and help you chart your progression as your fitness level improves.

It’s relatively easy to determine your maximum heart rate (MHR)- the simple formula is 220 minues your age gives you your MHR. You can find a more sophisticated system here. Depending on what you’re training goals are (increase endurance, lose weight, increase speed, etc.) you generally want to spend most of your time on the bike at between 60 - 80 per cent of your MHR. The HRM will tell you moment-to-moment what your heart rate is and allow you to work more or less to keep yourself within the proper threshold.

Polar is perhaps the most common brand out there on the market today and they have an excellent selection of cycling-specific products out now.

Polar offers women specific HRMs which offer smaller components and shorter chest straps for better fit. They even have sport bra that has a HRM chest strap built right in!