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Discussion: HR Monitor
Subject: HR Monitor By: katherine s. Written on: 2006-06-15 08:57:37 Message: Does anyone use a heart rate monitor, not just to monitor, but to gauge their training-- how fast, how far, etc.? What techniques do you suggest for using a heart rate monitor. I'm thinking of getting one and wanted some input.
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: frank v. Written on: 2006-06-15 09:09:08 Message: I do mostly for running, I do not for swimming, and I use it for the moutains while biking in order not to go too fast for too long. helps a lot in brick workouts to fing out whether it's your legs or your endurance. best is to take one from a friend and try. I defined my practice zones with an exercise test using measured Vo2 max and measured aerobic/anaerobic threshold. From then you can define your practice zones according to your needs. Also helps me a lot in half marathons /marathons and longer triathlons in order to save my energy for the end. I use a polar product with which I am overly happy. Best choice if you are serious would be one which can also measure your running speed and cadence. cheerio Frank
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-15 09:20:55 Message: I use a Polar HRM as well. It was one of the best investments I made! After defining my zones, which, without a VO2 max test, takes some time to dial in, I use it mainly to prevent me from running TOO fast. I bought mine last year, and not only did I see tremendous gains in speed and endurance, but it made running actually enjoyable. I also use it to stay in whatever zone I should be in, depending on the run. For example, if it's a "recovery run," I make sure that my HR stays in the lower zone. The bottom line is, for me, it's proven itself as invaluable training tool. I don't use mine in races because I know I'm going to push myself a little harder. Also, for me, after using the HRM for awhile, you can sort of "feel" what zone you're in. I know exactly, without looking at the HRM, when I cross the aerobic/anaerobic threshold, but the HRM helped me realize where that was. My next HRM will have a GPS unit in it! Good luck! "Live long and taper."
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Paul B. Written on: 2006-06-15 11:57:35 Message: I use a Polar HRM too. I'm not as detailed about it as Lawrence is, but use it generally in the same way. I just want to make sure I'm not running too fast on my long runs. It also really helps with pace at any distance...If i'm running or biking a relatively flat surface, I can generally tell my speed/pace, by just looking at my heart rate.
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Becky D. Written on: 2006-06-15 15:23:49 Message: I also have a Polar HRM and I love using it. We had to do VO2 Max testing in college for training purposes and my HRM WELL underestimates mine. I find it frustrating that it tells me I am near my max HR when I know i am indeed NOT near my max HR. I wish there was a better way to use the monitor to really test VO2 Max. I realize that it's a relatively simple machine and that the test has to be user-friendly, but I wish there was an override in the system so I could enter my actual data. (Maybe there is and I haven't discovered it yet?) Anyone else find this problem?
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Paul B. Written on: 2006-06-15 15:36:49 Message: Becky- On my Polar I tell it what my max HR is (I've got the RS100). There's the user info section where you input weight, height, age, resting HR, Max HR...did you do all that stuff? It sounds like you've got an HRM that's at least a step up from mine that has an easy test to do to figure out your max, and the zones, and whatnot (mine does not). If that's the case, there's got to be a way to override it...you might want to email Polar.
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-16 00:49:16 Message: I agree with Paul. You can manually enter your max HR and the percentages for the zones you want. Some only have a max and a minimum, however, but show where you are in between those two points.
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Don N. Written on: 2006-06-16 03:11:18 Message: It is very smart to train with a heart rate monitor! Because you can customize your workouts according to your bodies ability. I normally do the following in a workout week (as far as heart rate training goes): Long Slow Distance (double the race distance) "LSD" at 50-70% max HR Endurance (1.5 times the race distance) at 70-85% max HR Race Distance at 80-90% max HR Speed work (usually 1/2 the race distance) at 85-95% max HR And for Recovery & Taper, etc. week I go at 50-75% max HR for any Distance or Time I do.
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: katherine s. Written on: 2006-06-16 09:04:28 Message: When you say all those percentages, by max HR do you mean your anaerobic threshold or literally your max hr... like, if you go past that point... well, i suppose you can't go past that point, or else... Inquiring minds
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Don N. Written on: 2006-06-16 13:14:09 Message: When I go by those percentage's It's literally of my max HR. Example 50-70% Long Slow Distance "LSD" is: 101-141 BPM
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: katherine s. Written on: 2006-06-17 17:47:10 Message: Thanks! My AT is SUPER high, like almost 200, so I don't know what my HR max would be...Is there a given percentage of your HR max that your AT is? Inquiring minds
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-17 23:50:58 Message: Unfortunately, you have to go by your actual HR max. Here is a link that should help you calculate your max: http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/rrHRMstart.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0620574058.1150599838@@@@&;BV_EngineID=jaddhchghljebekgcgecfeedgf.0 That's a long link.... Hopefully, it will work. Just go to roadrunnersports.com and click on "accessories," then "heart rate monitors," then "getting started."
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Jose G. Written on: 2006-06-19 00:39:23 Message: I use the Sigma PC15, ~$80 brand new ~$30 on craigslist. Just picked it up as a recommendation from my LBS. The guy who does most of the work on our bikes use it with much positive feedback. The big + is the navigation from one menu to the next. The quick and dirty max HR calculation is 220-Age. The more accurate calculation takes into account age and weight. Both are generally close but the latter goes up as a person loses weight (if they are in that exercise mode).
Subject: RE: HR Monitor By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-19 00:59:56 Message: Actually, the more accurate approach takes your resting HR and age into account, not weight. When you enter your weight on an HRM, that is used to calculate calorie expenditure, not your max heart rate. The Karvonen Formula is an easy and accurate method of calculating your HR zones, MUCH more accurate than simply subracting your age from 220.
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