Sometimes the best exercise equipment isn’t what’s found in the gym but what is brought in.

Experts say tucking a personal heart rate monitor or pedometer into a gym bag could be the key to a better workout.

The tiny devices are used to track workout intensity, helping people burn calories more efficiently and reach their exercise and weight-loss goals.

“The monitors assure you’re working out efficiently,” said Kate Powers, a certified performance enhancement specialist. “Too little intensity yields slow results and keeps you from achieving your goals. And an intensity that’s consistently too high can be counterproductive.”

To determine the target heart rate, have a metabolic test done at a gym or by a personal fitness instructor. Use the following formula from the American Heart Association as a general guideline: 220 minus age equals maximum heart rate. The target heart rate is between 55 percent and 90 percent of that number.

The AHA said adults need moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 30 minutes five times per week or vigorous exercise for 20 minutes three times per week. Powers offers these tips for using a heart rate monitor or pedometer to meet those goals.

•Bring your own. Don’t rely on heart rate monitors that are built into machines at the gym. Some machines don’t have this option, and having a personal monitor eliminates the hassle of holding onto the machine to measure the heart rate, which can give delayed responses and impact the workout.

•Invest in your own device. They’re relatively inexpensive, can be powered by batteries and can be a great way to track workout progress. Similarly, using a pedometer can help track not only the miles covered at the gym but also throughout the day while running errands or handling other tasks.

•Do a calorie challenge. Use the calorie-counting feature on the heart rate monitor and set a daily goal. Burning 3,500 calories is equivalent to burning one pound of fat. Set a goal to lose one pound per week and use the monitor to help keep track of calories burned, roughly 500 calories per day to achieve this goal.

•Use interval training to burn more fat. Use the heart rate monitor to alert you to the intensity of the exercise. A great way to do interval training is to spend two minutes exercising at a low level of exertion, one minute at a high level of exertion, then back to the low level.

•Don’t assume that a harder workout is always better. Mix the workout intensity during the week to burn fat and challenge the heart and lungs. Some days you’ll want to keep the heart rate in a lower zone and some days in a higher zone to maximize calorie and fat burning and to improve cardiovascular health.

•Don’t think that heart rate monitors are just for hard-core athletes. Everyone, even beginners, can benefit from using a heart rate monitor to keep track of their fitness and health goals.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.