Heart Rate monitor Q?.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Does anyone here use them in their daily training routines, if so which one are you using and whats your opinion on it.

Are you training in a serious way, what are you training for and has the HR monitor helped or changed your training for better or worse?.

I'm thinking of buying one of the popular Polar watches [believe it or not Argos is cheaper than anywhere I can find online!], but I'm wondering - do the cheaper Polar watches include the chest belt or is that a separate purchase?.

Any opinions good, bad or indifferent would be appricated as I've never used one before.

The majority of times it'll be used it during cycling, I've a new cycle computer but it doesn't include a HR monitor, plus I'd like a wrist watch type for when I'm rowing etc in the gym.

In the last month I've dropped 8kg, from 126kgs to 118kgs. My goal is to fight (Judo) at under 110kgs and fit in September.

uberwolf

I've used polar and cardiosport. Both were fine.

HRMs are very useful for targeting your levels of effort properly. This depends on establishing your zones accurately, and creating a training regime around that depending on your goals.

I'd be very surprised if polar sold their watches without belts coming with them

essdee

I use a Timex Ironman and find it good. However, the rubber part of the chestband did break after about 2 years and had to be replaced. Also, every time the battery needs to be changed it needs to be sent back to the manufacturer so that the watch can be properly waterproofed again.

The one you choose depends on how you plan to use it. For example, if you just need the basic features you can occasionally get a cheap one in Aldi or Lidl.

Good luck.

Roper

I bought on in Lidl believe it or not for €20. It's paid for itself about 4 times over at this stage.

There are things I don't like about it such as the very basic programming functions, but for €20 what do you expect. What I've found is that as a guy who trains solo a lot I'm never sure whether I'm pushing myself, and the monitor has helped a lot.

When this one gives up the ghost, I'll get a Polar or similar along with all the natty functions that go along with it.

cowzerp

mairt you have a text...!

Brian?

Roper wrote: »

I bought on in Lidl believe it or not for €20. It's paid for itself about 4 times over at this stage.

There are things I don't like about it such as the very basic programming functions, but for €20 what do you expect. What I've found is that as a guy who trains solo a lot I'm never sure whether I'm pushing myself, and the monitor has helped a lot.

When this one gives up the ghost, I'll get a Polar or similar along with all the natty functions that go along with it.

I have a lidl one as well, had it for 2 years now. Its grand, I'm not sure what other features you want on top heart rate and cals burned to be honest.

Can't go wrong for the price, although you might not get one there for a while the way their specials go.

arybvtcw0eolkf

cowzerp wrote: »

mairt you have a text...!

Cheer's Paul. Sorry I couldn't chat too much tonight, I was up to my eye's with work.

I'll see you in The George buzz you Monday.

Johnny Storm

FWIW I have a polar one and I found the whole chest strap thing very uncomfortable. If I had it loose the gizmo did not pick up my heart rate and/or moved around and if I had it tight it was like running with a big elastic band around my chest. It just did not suit me.

E@gle.

Mairt wrote: »

.

I'm thinking of buying one of the popular Polar watches [believe it or not Argos is cheaper than anywhere I can find online!], but I'm wondering - do the cheaper Polar watches include the chest belt or is that a separate purchase?.

You can get a cycling/multi sport HRM from polar. Try www.cyclesuperstore.ie chainreactioncycles.com or www.probikekit.com should be cheaper than argos.

For cycling/running a HRM is an excellent tool but you also need to learn how to use it correctly. You need to sort out your various ranges which differ from each sport

arybvtcw0eolkf

E@gle. wrote: »

For cycling/running a HRM is an excellent tool but you also need to learn how to use it correctly. You need to sort out your various ranges which differ from each sport

Well thanks to Cowzerp I got myself a nice Cardiosport GT2 yesterday, BIG THANK YOU TO PAUL.

Trained with it this morning, and the benefit was obvious almost immediately.

Prior to this morning I was cycling anywhere from 20km to 40kms (+/-) daily, but once I was breathing heavy and sweating I thought 'grand stuff Martin - your training'. But when I got out this morning and hit that mark I checked my monitor and I was only at 130 bpm - my target was/is 150+.

So I was selling myself short. To get my HR up I dropped a gear and increased my cadence (the speed at which my legs rotate) and quickly my HR increased to +/- 155bpm and thats where I tried to stay.

Because of traffic lights etc (I'm a cyclist who stops at them) at the end of my cycle my BPM averaged at only 132BPM - I dread to think what it was prior to today.

Oh and for those of you wondering about cycling and loosing weight, I used 1192cals. I'm not sure how long I was out, but it was a 23kms cycle.

Any help on using the different training zones would be greatly appricated.

I've included a map of my cycle, and attached elevation graph.


Thanks again for the advice and encouragement yesterday Paul.

hunnymonster

The HRM will really help you work hard enough when you need to work hard and take it easy enough, when you need to take it easy.

Mairt wrote: »

Oh and for those of you wondering about cycling and loosing weight, I used 1192cals. I'm not sure how long I was out, but it was a 23kms cycle.

This seems high? I'm 63 kgsm on a pretty standard road bike and would guess at 400-500 for this route at most?

arybvtcw0eolkf

hunnymonster wrote: »

This seems high? I'm 63 kgsm on a pretty standard road bike and would guess at 400-500 for this route at most?

I got the HR to take the guess work out of the equation.

Like I said, prior to this morning I was guessing my BPM was higher and was shocked when I realised it was only 130 so I altered my gearing to bring it up to where I wanted it.

I'm pretty pleased.

arybvtcw0eolkf

hunnymonster wrote: »

This seems high? I'm 63 kgsm on a pretty standard road bike and would guess at 400-500 for this route at most?

I'm just thinking, maybe because I'm heavier than you - and your probably aerobically fitter than I that the effort I've to put in mean's an increased in energy (kCals) used?.

Killme00

hunnymonster wrote: »

This seems high? I'm 63 kgsm on a pretty standard road bike and would guess at 400-500 for this route at most?

He is 118 kilos so will burn more calories then you doing similar excercise. Also, now that he is specifically targeting a certain heart rate, he will be training in the perfect zone to burn calories for his weight.

Keep it up Mairt

I used to be 126kgs too. When you get down to a weight you can run at comfortably without knee pain, you will see results more quickly.

Planet X

I use a Polar for running and cycling. I assume you've input all the correct data to the unit as in, height, weight, age, MHR, RHR (this is with a Polar unit). Then and only then, can you calculate what your training zones should be, ie between 60% - 80% or whatever intensity you want to train at.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Planet X wrote: »

I use a Polar for running and cycling. I assume you've input all the correct data to the unit as in, height, weight, age, MHR, RHR (this is with a Polar unit). Then and only then, can you calculate what your training zones should be, ie between 60% - 80% or whatever intensity you want to train at.

Yup, got all that in last night - I was even honest about my weight and age

Mark6

Can't go wrong for the price, although you might not get one there for a while the way their specials go.[/quote]

The one you choose depends on how you plan to use it. For example, if you just need the basic features you can occasionally get a cheap one in Aldi or Lidl.


Available in LIDL on Thurs 31st - about €23.00 - I hope to pick one up if they're not all gone quickly though it won't be of much use as I'm on blood press. meds.

Slight hi-jack here - if not using a heart rate monitor how can you gauge the rate you are training at - approximately?

Planet X

Should be able to carry on a conversation with someone whilst exercising is a decent ish enough guide.

cowzerp

Mairt wrote: »

Well thanks to Cowzerp I got myself a nice Cardiosport GT2 yesterday, BIG THANK YOU TO PAUL.

Trained with it this morning, and the benefit was obvious almost immediately.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement yesterday Paul.

Your very welcome Mairt, anytime.
when you get used to training with it, your never going to want to train without it! best investment i ever made.. keep me up to date on your progress mairt.

ps. the best way to use them is to push to your best and dont go below a certain set standard, for you i think 150 should be the rate that tells you to push that bit more!

Mark6

Planet X wrote: »

Should be able to carry on a conversation with someone whilst exercising is a decent ish enough guide.

What sort of level would that equate to?
In the past I have done cardio at a rate where conversation would be out of the question - for 2 or 3 min periods then ease off then hard again and so on.

cowzerp

Thats fine, thats interval training! if you where doing more long term steady training then you should be able to talk, maybe!! you should be out of your comfort zone either way.

Mark6

Thanks for that - and apologies to Mairt for the hi-jack.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Mark6 wrote: »

Thanks for that - and apologies to Mairt for the hi-jack.

Not at all, its all good.

PlanetX - carrying on a chat is fine, but a large part of my cardio fitness is related to training & fighting Judo so intensity is vital as Judo is a very quick and explosive sport.

On a cycle like this morning, of just 23kms going at a speed which keeps my HBPM above 150 is just going to be a quick sprint. I doubt I'd keep that speed up for too much further, although with my new gizmo it'll be no time at all before I hitting twice that

Planet X

I'm 49 yrs old. and did a Vets 10 mile Time Trial last weekend. 177 average.

hunnymonster

mairt, sorry if my post sounded tough. I just meant to check all the numbers. You're not twice as heavy (and weight matters less in cycling than in running but more than in swimming etc) and the calorie count it is giving you is 2.5 times what I would get for a similar ride. Of course I'm going to be more economical but I'm surprised it accounts for that much. If it turns out to be correct, then great, weight will come off easy peasy but I would just check.

cowzerp

hunnymonster wrote: »

mairt, sorry if my post sounded tough. I just meant to check all the numbers. You're not twice as heavy (and weight matters less in cycling than in running but more than in swimming etc) and the calorie count it is giving you is 2.5 times what I would get for a similar ride. Of course I'm going to be more economical but I'm surprised it accounts for that much. If it turns out to be correct, then great, weight will come off easy peasy but I would just check.

Its not only weight, intensity is important too, he was going full pelt and the calorie read is based on heart rate and weight instead of random numbers used on treadmills etc..i programmed in his details and there spot on. maybe yours is not correct!

Planet X

You'll burn more calories going at a slower "pelt" than at a faster one.

hunnymonster

mine s fine, it has been checked in a lab by professionals! (you questioned!)


I don't know the Cardiosport GT2 at all. I usually work with Garmin or polar.

planet X, I don't think he was going at full pelt, 132 average and max in the region of 155 might feel tough when you are just getting started but the HRM doesn't do "feelings".

cowzerp

Planet X wrote: »

You'll burn more calories going at a slower "pelt" than at a faster one.

WRONG!

But still made me laugh!!

Planet X

arybvtcw0eolkf

hunnymonster wrote: »

planet X, I don't think he was going at full pelt, 132 average and max in the region of 155 might feel tough when you are just getting started but the HRM doesn't do "feelings".

The penny drops!.

And this is the beauty of training with the HRM now, whereas before I thought I was training good. Now I discover that I wasn't training efficiently at all.

So with careful monitoring I expect to see these figures all change over the next few weeks.

Cycling as a training aid is new to me, cycling for commuting is not.

Hanley

Mairt wrote: »

Not at all, its all good.

PlanetX - carrying on a chat is fine, but a large part of my cardio fitness is related to training & fighting Judo so intensity is vital as Judo is a very quick and explosive sport.

On a cycle like this morning, of just 23kms going at a speed which keeps my HBPM above 150 is just going to be a quick sprint. I doubt I'd keep that speed up for too much further, although with my new gizmo it'll be no time at all before I hitting twice that

300bpm... I'll have the ambulance on alert :pac::pac::pac:

arybvtcw0eolkf

Hanley wrote: »

300bpm... I'll have the ambulance on alert :pac::pac::pac:

I laugh in the face of heart attacks

Hail 2 Da Chimp

I use one of those Lidl ones and their grand. Although I have noticed my Max HR has hit 240BPM, so I'm hoping thats a fault with the HRM :pac:

Roper / Cowzerp, do you guys use the HRM when training MMA?
If so how do you use it?
(Sorry for the hijack).

gabgab

Yeh I had one of these, lent it to a mate who still has it. Loved it and hated it at the same time, often grumbling for it to **** off during runs and cycling. They are good,

cowzerp

Hail 2 Da Chimp wrote: »

Roper / Cowzerp, do you guys use the HRM when training MMA?
If so how do you use it?
(Sorry for the hijack).

i use it for the striking part, bags, pads, skipping and its all about maximum intensity, then seeing how fast i recover, this is a good indicator of fitness (not sparring though, i broke my rib when i got a body hook boxing and had the strap on a few years ago, bad idea)

for the grappling part its all about technique so if your training right your heart rate wont be going to high anyway..the strap and watch would just get in the way..

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Cheers Cowserp, have been meaning to bring it with me. Will give it a go when I'm doing my next striking class.
Always wanted to know ho many Kcals I'd burn during a good session.

Roper

Can't wear it grappling but I use it for HIIT and other cardio. Like Cowzer I use it mainly to check intensity levels and to see how quickly I can get my heart rate down to check recovery times.

Handy to use when training others too. I might pick up another one to have to make sure I have two hard working athletes instead of just one when I'm training others!:D

arybvtcw0eolkf

Bloody thing is going to be the death of me [thanks Paul ]

I rang Paul from work "yea going to take it handy today".. Ended up cycling 63kms racing the bloody HRM, if it dropped below 150bpm I put the boot in.

At about 40kms I was running out of water, paid Spar a quick visit. A bottle of water and two banana's later and I'm in the saddle again - Dammit my heart rate is falling from the rest, so a big push to get it going again!.

Now here's the craic. I got home around 3:30 but am going out tonight and suffering the effects of dehydration most of the afternoon, its been bad

Damn you Cowzer, damn you HRM - and damn me for allowing myself to get out of shape like I did.