Heart rate monitors have gained popularity in recent years to guide the soccer player to harness his true potential whilst reducing the risks of overtraining. Gone are the days where soccer players train as hard as they can as a team.

Though good in fostering camaraderie and teamwork, this all for one and one for all soccer training predisposes the weaker players to overtraining and may not help their soccer development and progress at all. Hence the introduction of heart rate monitors in modern soccer training. What heart rate monitors do is measure the heart rate and rhythm and using algorithms and based on calculations taken from a huge sample of the general population, some advanced heart rate monitors are even able to assess your fitness and conditioning level.

Each individual is different due to their genetic make up and prior training and conditioning and henceforth it was discovered that in order to bring out the best in each soccer player, the training has to be tailored to the player’s abilities and tolerance. The heart rate monitor is henceforth used as a guide to ensure that the players are training at the correct customized level desired for that particular type of soccer training. The heart rate monitor is normally worn around the chest as a chest strap and the information transmitted to a receiver which can be worn as a watch. The information can then be transferred to a computer for analysis and planning for further training sessions. Professional soccer clubs have their own soccer fitness trainers who will do the assessment and planning. The established soccer stars even have their own personal soccer trainers!

Many heart rate monitors are available on the market and depending on personal preference and type of sports or training, the choice varies. Personally, I have tried both Polar and Garmin heart rate monitors and they are both equally good.

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