Heart rate monitor
- Thread starter MRSchultz
- Start date
I think a heart rate monitor is a great investment. I just bought a Polar model, about $55 at Wal-Mart. It goes around your chest AND you wear (or mount on a bicycle) the wrist watch. It looks terribly uncomfortable, which is mostly why I put it off for so long, but it isn't at all. I forget I even have it on. And it's not hard to use, either. Makes me wonder why I waited so long.
I also notice that I do two things differently when I wear it. First, I push a lot harder to keep that heart rate up, and I find it's actually easier to increase the intensity when you know where you're supposed to be. Also, I don't push TOO hard, which I also do regularly--or, I beat myself up worrying that I'm not pushing hard ENOUGH. (Can't win with me.) The monitor makes me feel that I'm maximizing my effort and getting the most from my exercise. I highly recommend it.
Shari
I also notice that I do two things differently when I wear it. First, I push a lot harder to keep that heart rate up, and I find it's actually easier to increase the intensity when you know where you're supposed to be. Also, I don't push TOO hard, which I also do regularly--or, I beat myself up worrying that I'm not pushing hard ENOUGH. (Can't win with me.) The monitor makes me feel that I'm maximizing my effort and getting the most from my exercise. I highly recommend it.
Shari
naughtoj
Cathlete
Don't get me wrong, heart rate monitors are SO cool. Gotta have one, just to have one. But I found them very un-useful for Cathe workouts. I am always in the "zone" no matter what tape I am doing, and more likely, the stupid thing is beeping at me to slow down!!
I can see it being useful however for other things such as running or rollerblading where you don't really know. Or for real training. I have been working out long enough to know if I am in the "zone" just by rating my perceived exertion. I find, for me, a heart rate monitor is more useful in helping me SCALE DOWN my workouts. Like you can set it to beep at you if you are going over 60% of your maximum heart rate. This is really good at keeping your "easy" days easy. Without this, I know I would end up jacking it up to atleast 80%. You get used to doing Cathe cardio and you think that every time you workout you MUST feel the same way, the same fatigue. Which should not be the case.
Get one though. They are lots of fun. I only use the basic features, but like I said, am interested in using the alarm functions now. Training for a half marathon, I have to pay attention to keeping the intesity low on some days.
I have Polar A-5.
Janice
I can see it being useful however for other things such as running or rollerblading where you don't really know. Or for real training. I have been working out long enough to know if I am in the "zone" just by rating my perceived exertion. I find, for me, a heart rate monitor is more useful in helping me SCALE DOWN my workouts. Like you can set it to beep at you if you are going over 60% of your maximum heart rate. This is really good at keeping your "easy" days easy. Without this, I know I would end up jacking it up to atleast 80%. You get used to doing Cathe cardio and you think that every time you workout you MUST feel the same way, the same fatigue. Which should not be the case.
Get one though. They are lots of fun. I only use the basic features, but like I said, am interested in using the alarm functions now. Training for a half marathon, I have to pay attention to keeping the intesity low on some days.
I have Polar A-5.
Janice