Heart Rate Monitors-Monitoring Cardiovascular Intensity
Monitoring Cardiovascular Intensity
I have used a heart rate monitor for the past 10 years. They are great tools to use while training cardiovascularly because you can watch your heart rate and make sure that you stay in your preferred training zones. Heart Rate monitors are also beneficial when you have to make the decision between working out and not working out when you are not feeling very good. If you wake up and your heart rate is 10 beats higher then your resting heart rate, then your body has not fully recovered from yesterday’s workout. If your heart rate is 20 beats higher then your resting heart rate you should take the day off. 20 beats or higher means your body isn’t recovered and could be getting sick. Other advantages of heart rate monitors include:
-Using a heart rate monitor as a motivational tool.
-They teach beginners to read their bodies
-They help in personalizing a training program
Some disadvantages of heart rate monitors include:
-They can be inconsistent
-There is no evidence training with a HRM will improve competitive performance
-They can have too much date at times
-They can distract people from paying attention to the road while cycling and running.
I just started using a HRM again after a few years of just listening to my body. After many years of my HRM being my best friend it was interesting using one again. I personally prefer not using a HRM now. When I used to race, it was a very important instrument in my training. Now I like to stay fit but I do not want my heart rate to run my life. I know my body well enough now to know when I am going to hard or too easy or need a day off. I try to trust my instincts when doing a workout.
NOTE: The work presented on this page was produced as part of a learning exercise. While the content was reviewed and controls were in place to improve accuracy and quality, it may contain gross inaccuracy or poor quality. The emphasis was on the learning process and the sharing of information. Furthermore, this content may still be under revision. For more information about the process, see About UniCommons.com. For more accurate subject content related to this work, see Subjects.
Comments
I didn't realize about the different heart rates compared to your resting heart rate. For instance you mentioned if you aren't feeling well or haven't totally recovered from your last workout your heart rate will still be elevated. That is really good to know. THANKS for the information. May I ask where you found out this information from? I would like to print that out for a friend of mine. THANKS :) Susie
I remembered this information from when I used to train a lot. If you google resting heart rate and overtraining I am sure you will be able to find the same information.
Thanks so much!
Here are some sites I found just in case others were wondering the same...
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachc...
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/04/overtr...
http://www.inlineplanet.com/2007-09/monitor.html
Have a great weekend :)
I was interested in some sourcing as well Susie. Thanks for the info Karen and thanks for the leg-work Susie.
Interesting Read on the heart rate monitoring. It must be wonderful to know your body well enough to be able to guage your exercise by it. That seems to me to say that you are a regular and steady person who has exercised for years and I think that is great! Like you mentioned, it is good to monitor your HR at the beginning and I might add, especially , if there is cardiac risk in your history and you are obese, such as myself as it gives me the reassuredness that I won't keel over and die or do way too little if I can get my HR up to the target zone and not push too far over the limit. And sometimes, it shocks me when an athlete who has trained for years up and dies from a cardiac arrest. Sometimes, you wonder which way to go...........literally.....