question: What is MIO™?
answer: MIO™ is the world’s first watch to use your personal data (gender, birth date, weight and resting heart rate) to:

• Take your ECG-accurate heart rate without a chest strap
• Calculate the percent of your maximum heart rate during a workout
• Time how quickly your heart rate returns to its resting rate after exercising, the best indicator of fitness
• Record the calories you burn during a session
• Keep a running tally of the calories you eat during the day
• Come with MioSense, the no-nonsense guide to health and fitness.

question: How does MIO measure heart rate?
answer: MIO uses patented MioSensors™ that work by finger touch rather than the chest strap used by most other ECG-accurate heart rate monitors. When you want to measure your heart rate, place two fingers on the MioSensors; in 5 seconds, MIO measures and displays your heart rate! The watch can also display the percentage of your maximum heart rate and the calories burned during a workout.

question: What does ECG-accurate mean?
answer: An ECG or electrocardiogram is the test performed in doctors’ offices as a measure of the electrical activity of the heart. This activity regulates heart contraction, so an ECG measures your heart’s exact rate and rhythm.

question: Is MIO as accurate as watches that use a chest strap?
answer: It's as accurate. Mio is a self-contained unit with built-in sensors, making it immune to interference. Watches with a chest strap, on the other hand, give a continuous heart rate and rely on wireless transmission which is prone to radio frequency noises and "cross talk" between units.

question: What is the difference between a heart rate and a pulse rate?
answer: Your heart rate is the number of times your heart contracts in a given period, measured in beats per minute. Your pulse rate is the number of times blood, forced by your contracting heart, surges through and dilates your vessels in a given period. Because the heart sends the blood through the vessels, heart and pulse rate for practical purposes are essentially (but not absolutely) the same. Most exercisers measure their pulse rate. MIO measures your heart rate, which is more accurate.

question: Why is it more accurate to measure heart rate rather than pulse rate?
answer: Sometimes, such as with irregular heart beats or premature beats, the heart does not send out enough blood to be felt as a pulse, so the heart and pulse rate differ.

question: Why is it important to know my heart rate?
answer: Measuring your heart rate can help you in two ways:

1. If you know your resting heart rate, it can help you determine your fitness level. The more quickly you return to your resting heart rate after exercising, the more fit you are.
2. If you monitor your heart rate during exercise, you can increase or decrease the intensity of your workout to reach a target heart rate that allows you to exercise and burn calories more efficiently.

question: What is a resting heart rate?
answer: A resting heart rate is just that, your heart rate when you are at rest. It’s best to measure your resting heart rate upon wakening naturally in the morning (an alarm clock can make your heart beat faster) and before rising (standing increases your heart rate). The average resting heart rate is 72 beats per minute (BPM). Some people use a resting heart rate as a measure of fitness — the lower the rate, the more fit the individual. However, a more accurate measure of fitness is how quickly your heart rate slows down after exercising.

question: What is a maximum heart rate?
answer: A maximum heart rate is the theoretical point at which, during extreme physical exertion, your heart rate begins to level off and you approach physical exhaustion. You don’t need to exercise at a level to reach this rate — in fact, coming too close can be dangerous for those at risk for heart attacks.

question: What is a target heart rate?
answer: A target heart rate is the percentage of your maximum heart rate where you exercise and burn calories most efficiently. Most people choose a target between 55%-75% of their maximum heart rate — maintaining the highest rate at which they can sustain exercise for a desired period and optimize their workout. If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, you will want to set your target heart rate between 45%-55% — levels that reduce unnecessary strain on your heart.

question: Who is MIO designed for?
answer: MIO and the MioSense program are for anyone who is interested in general health and fitness, whether you want to improve cardiovascular fitness, lose weight, train for a race or improve your health after a heart attack.

question: How does MIO help a person with a fitness program?
answer: MIO provides the time, a chronograph, lap timer, alarm and chime. You can use it to time your intervals or laps, calculate your calories burned and measure your heart rate.

question: How does MioSense help plan a fitness program?
answer: MioSense provides detailed information on how to use MIO and on general health and fitness, including tips for eating well and exercising regularly. The program also outlines a cardiac support section for patients recovering from cardiac problems or surgery, and a weight management program. Remember to consult with your physician before beginning any exercise or weight management program.

question: How does MIO keep track of my calories?
answer: MIO uses complex formulas based on your own personal data, including your gender, age, weight, resting heart rate and heart rate when exercising. You can enter the calories you consume into the watch and it will keep a running calorie total, let you know when you reach your daily calorie target, calculate how many calories you burn during exercise and deduct those calories from your calorie total.