Heartrate matters

Friday, these were my workout stats (per my Polar heartrate monitor):

Total time: 54 minutes
Average heartrate: 126
In target HR zone (130-160): 31 minutes
Below target HR zone: 23 minutes
Calories burned: 483

I do weight training before cardio, so that's why I was below the target heartrate zone for 23 minutes. I'm supposed to stay close to 130 to burn fat according to the calculators I've read.


So here is today's stats:

Total time: 50 minutes
Average heartrate: 119
In target HR zone: 24 minutes
Below target HR zone: 25 minutes
Calories burned: 385


A difference of 100 calories, all because I averaged 11 beats below my target heartrate and was in the zone for 7 less minutes! I was surprised to see it.

Every time I list these stats, I consider how long I worked out without a heartrate monitor and how much I probably wasted, because I figured if I was sweating, I was losing weight. So much more to it than that.

Does anyone else keep records of your heartrate monitor stats? Do you see the same kind of thing? I don't have any reason to doubt the stats but you never know.

Re: Heartrate matters

that is very interesting! you make me want to buy a heart rate monitor...where did you buy yours and can you use it with any kind of cardio?

Re: Heartrate matters

Re: Heartrate matters

I used one for a long time, but at this point I can tell when I'm in my target zone. They are seriously the most important exercise tool. So many people spend tons of money on clothes and special shoes etc, but won't spend the money on something that will truely help make workouts more efficient.

It really helps you burn calories from the right source.

Re: Heartrate matters

i am really interested in this! can you tell me how i can figure out my target heartrate, or a website that is good for this info.

also as far as the heartrate monitor is concerned, do you have to strap it to your chest or something or is it just a wrist thing?

Re: Heartrate matters

I use this calculator at freedieting.com. It's a pretty simple formula.

The elastic strap goes around your chest and for us women, it's even more convenient - I tuck mine a little under my bra strap! Then the strap sensors report back to the wristwatch piece. It calculates more than I listed, but I just put that in to show the difference.

I got the Polar RS100 because it was the second-to-least expensive. It doesn't have all the features of the more fancy ones but this one was $120. at Dicks sporting goods. Looking back, I probably should have sprung for the one that synchs with their website, to track all those stats.

Anyway, I like Polar because I used to work for them and they really care about what they're doing. Here's their website: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/

Re: Heartrate matters

Target Heart Rate

I have a farbic chest strap for my Polar heart rate monitor.

ETA: I have the RS300X with Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and GPS. Do not get the GPS! It is impossible to get a signal. I won it in a contest 2 years ago and have used it maybe 10 times. It eats batteries.

Message edited 6/27/2011 8:15:39 PM.

Re: Heartrate matters

Last update I promise, but I wanted to share...

I did weights for 15 minutes and then did cardio, keeping my heartrate at 130 for 40 minutes and I burned 545 calories.

That's the biggest burn ever. I don't want to totally shy away from weights and core strengthening but I think doing at least 2 workouts a week with 40+ minutes of cardio should do the trick!