Which tool is commonly used to measure heart rate during exercise?

The heart rate monitor is commonly used to measure heart rate during exercise because it is specifically designed for this purpose. These devices can be worn on the wrist like a watch, or in the form of a chest strap, and they provide real-time feedback on heart rate, allowing individuals to track their cardiovascular performance during workouts.

Heart rate monitors work by detecting the electrical signals produced by the heart's contractions or by using optical sensors to measure blood flow. This immediate feedback is valuable for both monitoring exercise intensity and ensuring that individuals stay within their target heart rate zones for effective training and safety.

Other tools, such as a blood pressure cuff, primarily measure blood pressure rather than providing real-time heart rate data. A pulse oximeter focuses on measuring blood oxygen saturation levels, not heart rate specifically. Body fat calipers are used to assess body composition rather than cardiovascular metrics. Therefore, the heart rate monitor stands out as the most effective and relevant tool for measuring heart rate during physical activity.