Triathlon Training

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Discussion: HRM ?
Subject: HRM ?
By: Jay Allen
Written on: 2005-02-15 15:31:42
Message: Any advice on a good heart rate monitor to purchase for training?
Subject: HRM?
By: mary sellke
Written on: 2005-02-15 22:45:40
Message: I have been looking into them and have heard from several sources that Polar are the best.

I am doing my 1st triathlon this summer and I am trying to figure out if I really need one. Thoughts?

Subject: HRM
By: Jamie Boward
Written on: 2005-02-16 12:52:03
Message: They can only help you but they aren't a must. I use them for longer races like Half Ironman and Ironman, but for shorter stuff like sprint and olympic distances I go all out by feel.
I like them on the bike because they help you stay in a zone where you can go comfortably without blowing up on the run. The biggest thing is you have to practice with them and know where your limits are like max heart rate and what is a comfortable zone. Obviously you can't go at your max the whole race but it helps you know when you are going to hard and allows you to back off before your body makes you slow down(and that is usually permanent).
I would also do some bike rides immediately after swimming because your heart rate is going to be sky high out of the water so you need to practice bringing it down to your manageable zone and still keeping forward progress.
I used the Polar for a few years but I have since upgraded to a HAC4 because it has a power meter and a bike computer with 57 different functions including altitude, current grade, course comparison and a computer down load kit to log and graph your workouts with climbing and where your heart rate zones where. The downside it is 450 dollars and is really only geared to highly competitive athletes. I would suggest the polar myself to beginners because they have several really good and affordable models with a number of functions.
Hope this helped a little and best of luck on your triathlon season!!
jamie
Subject: RE: HRM ?
By: John Day
Written on: 2005-03-01 01:19:25
Message: For sure use one every single time you work out. Find your max HR and then know the zones you need to be in for your assigned workouts. Your HR monitor will also assist you in finding out how recovered you are the next day (by testing your resting HR- even 5 or 6 beats above normal means you hit it pretty hard the previous day and should work out with less intensity)... There are entire books devoted to this subject and your local library will have some really good ones. Use it as a tool- it tells you alot about how much improvement you have made to what zones are comfortable for long distances, etc. An excellent HR monitor is the new ironman monitor with GPS made by timex. I love mine. It even came with a manual to get the new person started on HR zones, figuring points based on intensity, etc. I also have a Polar HR monitor which has served me well for several years. Good luck!

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Reigster now for free to join this or any of the thousands of ongoing discussions - Connect with thousands of athletes, post questions, share thoughts, find a training buddy,access triathlon training programs, marathon training programs and more!
Discussion: HRM ?
Subject: HRM ? By: Jay Allen Written on: 2005-02-15 15:31:42 Message: Any advice on a good heart rate monitor to purchase for training?
Subject: HRM? By: mary sellke Written on: 2005-02-15 22:45:40 Message: I have been looking into them and have heard from several sources that Polar are the best. I am doing my 1st triathlon this summer and I am trying to figure out if I really need one. Thoughts?
Subject: HRM By: Jamie Boward Written on: 2005-02-16 12:52:03 Message: They can only help you but they aren't a must. I use them for longer races like Half Ironman and Ironman, but for shorter stuff like sprint and olympic distances I go all out by feel. I like them on the bike because they help you stay in a zone where you can go comfortably without blowing up on the run. The biggest thing is you have to practice with them and know where your limits are like max heart rate and what is a comfortable zone. Obviously you can't go at your max the whole race but it helps you know when you are going to hard and allows you to back off before your body makes you slow down(and that is usually permanent). I would also do some bike rides immediately after swimming because your heart rate is going to be sky high out of the water so you need to practice bringing it down to your manageable zone and still keeping forward progress. I used the Polar for a few years but I have since upgraded to a HAC4 because it has a power meter and a bike computer with 57 different functions including altitude, current grade, course comparison and a computer down load kit to log and graph your workouts with climbing and where your heart rate zones where. The downside it is 450 dollars and is really only geared to highly competitive athletes. I would suggest the polar myself to beginners because they have several really good and affordable models with a number of functions. Hope this helped a little and best of luck on your triathlon season!! jamie
Subject: RE: HRM ? By: John Day Written on: 2005-03-01 01:19:25 Message: For sure use one every single time you work out. Find your max HR and then know the zones you need to be in for your assigned workouts. Your HR monitor will also assist you in finding out how recovered you are the next day (by testing your resting HR- even 5 or 6 beats above normal means you hit it pretty hard the previous day and should work out with less intensity)... There are entire books devoted to this subject and your local library will have some really good ones. Use it as a tool- it tells you alot about how much improvement you have made to what zones are comfortable for long distances, etc. An excellent HR monitor is the new ironman monitor with GPS made by timex. I love mine. It even came with a manual to get the new person started on HR zones, figuring points based on intensity, etc. I also have a Polar HR monitor which has served me well for several years. Good luck!
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