Whether you?re a running novice or elite runner, a heart rate monitor will help you train better. If you?re a novice runner, you?ll find that a heart rate monitor will ensure you?re training at the appropriate pace, whatever your fitness. Because your ideal heart rate training zone remains the same when your running fitness improves, following the guidance of your heart rate monitor is a much better option than sticking to any particular running pave. And as you become fitter, you can also use a heart rate monitor to help guide you though more sophisticated running workouts, such as interval training, where accurate pulse monitoring of the work intervals and recovery periods is vital to success.
Regular use of a heart rate monitor can also give you clues about your general health. For example, if you?re fighting a virus but are not obviously poorly, you may well find you have a higher heart rate than normal for a giving running pace. And some heart rate monitor even have software plug-ins that can indicate when overtraining is likely to become a problem |
The key to best using the heart rate information is to first understand what your training goals are. Is it to just get fit? Do you plan to loose weight? Or are you an elite athlete requiring the absolute best your heart can give you? Knowing that, you can then work toward a preferred intensity level of your training.
|
Zone |
Ideal For |
Benefit Desired |
Intensity Level
(% Maximum Heart Rate) |
1 |
Light Exercise |
Maintain Healthy Heart or Get Fit |
50% - 60% |
2 |
Weight Management |
Lose Weight or Burn Fat |
60% - 70% |
3 |
Aerobic Base Building |
Increase Stamina or Aerobic Endurance |
70% - 80% |
4 |
Optimal Conditioning |
Maintain Excellent Fitness Condition |
80% - 90% |
5 |
Elite Athlete |
Maintain Superb Athletic Condition |
90% - 100% |
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Finding Your Target Heart Rate is essential for monitoring your cardiovascular fitness and progress. Just use the calculators below to find estimations. |
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