To max out those exercise sessions, be sure to measure heart rate

When you exercise, do you measure your heart rate to ensure all that cardio exercise is being had? When using a treadmill, elliptical machine, recumbent bike or when doing Pilates movements, having a heart rate monitor nearby is a great way to ensure you are moving that heart rate into the "target heart rate zone".

In general, exercising for cardio reasons should move that heart rate into the "80% of max range" -- which is the target I shoot for. The longer you keep that up (within reason), the more you are conditioning that heart.

One of these handy hand units can be perfect for that "on the go" heart rate monitoring you need to ensure you're exercising in the correct "target zone".