Some folks like to put more emphasis on the art of working out. Others pay more attention to the science side of things. But in reality, not only you should focus on getting your exercises done in a way that lets you burn more calories, you should also track your progress and heart rate to find out whether you are getting the best out of your workout sessions. Heart rate monitors are great tools that let you figure out how fast your heart is beating and whether you are hitting your targets. And since they are not that expensive, there is no reason you shouldn’t get one of these to add some science to your daily workout routines.

If you are looking for a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate and add some science to your daily workouts, here are 10 best ones you should try:

Polar FT80 Heart Rate Monitor Watch: One of the best heart rate monitors I have ever used. Comes with an intelligent training computer helps you achieve maximum workout efficiency. It displays heart rate as percentage of maximum, bpm, and within target zone indicator, and provides you with feedback as far as your workout is concerned.

Polar CS600X Cycling Heart Rate Monitor: one of the most powerful heart rate monitors on the market. It’s designed for those who are in cycling, but it provides you with all the information you need to track other types of workouts as well. Determines if your training program and recovery time are optimally developing your performance.

Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor and Stopwatch: Monitor your intensity level to ensure you achieve the desired goal for each workout and calculates the amount of total exercise time spent in your personal target zone.

Timex Ironman T5J985 Heart Rate Monitor: a dream heart rate monitor for runners. Gives you GPS location data with heart rate information to let you get the most out of each and every run.

Suunto t3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch: an awesome gadget that provides you with all kinds of information to get the most out of your workout.

Impact Sports ePulse Strapless Heart Rate Monitor Watch: a cool gadget that is chest-strap-free and comes with calorimeter that wears around the forearm.

Mio Motiva Petite Heart Rate Monitor Watch: Lets you set daily calorie targets and record the number of calories you eat. Integrates Mio’s 3,500 Calorie Countdown program as well.

Timex T5J031 Unisex Digital Fitness Heart Rate Monitor Watch: a water resistant heart rate monitor to help you maximize your workouts.

Nike Women’s Imara Heart Rate Monitor Watch: an affordable and simple heart rate monitor designed for beginners. If you don’t need a fancy heart rate monitor, this gets the job done.

Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor: another affordable and decent heart rate monitor for those who are not looking for a fancy HRM.

There you have it. You don’t necessarily have to get a fancy watch to track your exercise workout but if you are a pro athlete or serious about your workout, those more expensive devices provide you with a whole lot of more information about your workout, making them well worth the investment.

Your take: what heart rate monitor are you currently using?