Someone please explain

[naughtoj]

I like this feature every now and then, I will admit, but mostly I use it to compare one exercise to another. Like when I run on the treadmill, I am curious to see if I burn more calories/maintain a higher HR than, say, during Boot Camp.

That said, I do think using this feature too often can be to one's detriment. If you are too focused on calorie burn it is much more likely that you will push yourself harder to get that count up. Which is great, but not for everyday. Obsession with the calorie feature could lead to overtraining, IMO.

 

[nancy324]

From reading the responses to this thread, I'm getting the idea that some exercisers are just assuming that all large-muscle group activity is aerobic activity. If I didn't use my HRM, I would have continued to use the elliptical at my gym. I felt like I was working "hard" on the elliptical, but my HRM showed me differently. Yes, my legs were working hard, but to my surprise, I found that my heart and lungs weren't doing much! If I didn't use my HRM, I'd still be wasting time on the elliptical.

And for those here who say any kind of movement is good movement, I agree, but this is a Cathe forum, which means that the majority of us are advanced exercisers, and are no doubt already moving. Why not check your heart rate and make the most of your workout time? Sure, looking at calories is fun and motivates you to exercise, but it can't replace a HR check.

-Nancy

 

[Boybert]

Nancy, I don't have a HRM & seem to do just fine. Not saying that it isn't a good investment but I do know my body cues well enough & am a seasoned exerciser to know when I am working in my zone. Just another thought to add.


“In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better.” --Ellen Degeneres

 

[RWattier]

Nancy - may I apologize in advance for sounding rude - but what works for you, may not work for others - - this is a supportive forum where you should be supporting others here, not putting their methods of "motivation" down....or saying "HR" checks are better than any other method - it might come off as discouraging for some......the majority of us might be an advanced crowd, but there are some who are beginners and if counting calories gives ANYONE - advanced or beginner - an indication of the intensity of a workout that they can compare to other workouts - than its a fantastic tool

I have always appreciated your posts in the pasts - but this one seems a little border line.....maybe we should just end it and move on???

I realize nobody will agree on everything either, but at least we can try to stay positive

 

[Rogue]

>Nancy, I don't have a HRM & seem to do just fine. Not saying
>that it isn't a good investment but I do know my body cues
>well enough & am a seasoned exerciser to know when I am
>working in my zone. Just another thought to add.
>
>

Me too Debbie! I'm going to sound like a bragging brat for a moment but I want to illustrate my point: I am in very good shape and have received comments to that effect from just about everyone I meet! I have never ever used a HRM. I don't count calories. I don't step on a scale. I do not know what my body fat percentage is but when I look in the mirror I don't have much that jiggles and I can certainly see my muscles - abs included. I am a very fast runner and biker. I spin like there's no tomorrow and I eat like a horse. . . well, maybe like a pony.

So after bragging like that I guess my point is that some of us don't need a HRM. Wasted time to me is time that I don't listen to what my body is telling me. So yes, some workouts are better than others. I just don't need a HRM to tell me that. And even having something like that would not change those good day vs. bad day workouts - they are going to happen regardless of what I strap myself into! HOWEVER, before I go up in flames here :+ If having a HRM motivates you, challenges you and you get a better workout as a result then by all means GO FOR IT!!!

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I don't think anyone here is saying that they totally disregard the heart rate read out and put all their money on the calorie burn feature when using their HRM. If someone said or implied that, then I totally missed it.

If I went totally how my body felt then I too would have quit the elliptical after the 1st week! Fortunately, I have a HRM and saw I needed to tighten the tension and kick it in the ass, so to speak, to get my heart rate up to where it needs to be in order to reap a cardio benefit. Yes, it burns the legs and it is more work but it does provide an awesome workout, HR is up, heart is pumping, sweat is flying. It wasn't long after using that thing my DH said my legs have never looked more 'cut'! And all I do is work that machine until my HR is where it is when I run.

(((ah....I can't wait to use my elliptical tomorrow a.m.)))

 

[nancy324]

Sarah, I'm envious. I think it's so weird that I can't get a cardio workout from an elliptical. It tones up my legs and buns fabulously, but my heart doesn't even seem to notice I'm exercising. My legs get weak, and my heart rate is 115.
-Nancy

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Nancy, It actually took some time to get use to...I had to play with the tension and get use to a thigh burn.

Something I just thought of...maybe you are getting a good cardio workout but machine interferance is messing with your HRM read out.