Heart rate monitors and losing body fat

rainglow

I've read through a lot of threads about optimal fat burning zones and which HRM are best but so many opinions contradict each other that I thought I'd ask this question and give my own aims and see if I could get answers more suitable to me!

I'm 24, female, and would like to lose anywhere between 7-14lbs. My BMI is currently 22.3 but if I could achieve this loss I'd still be in the healthy range. I haven't had my bf % measured recently but will be going for this test soon - I can't imagine it's a very nice number though!

So what's the best way for me to go about this? I've trained on and off for years so I know a good bit about nutrition and exercise; it's just a matter of using willpower to putting this knowledge into play. I was going to buy a HRM and try to stay within the recommended fat-burning zone; is this a good idea and would the Polar models be suitable? Do HRM's let you set the range you'd like to work out in and beep at you if you're above or below it?

Apologies for my general cluelessness!

revo

I wish i was 22.3 .... im 28.1 wanna trade?? ive noticed mine drop by doing the threadmill

kazzer

Hi rainglow,

I would recommend that first you get out there and start excercising!
This is where your results come from. Dont get too bogged down (easily happens) with details like optimal fat burning zone etc. Just exercise, be progressive about it, and follow yor diet (while will have a small calorie deficit if fat loss is your goal).

HRM's can be very useful, but only get one if exercise is something that you will be seriously into. For example I got one because I wanted to do HIT, and I needed to know my zones. Polar are a good make , I have one but only a basic model. There are models that allow you to set a range and will beep if you drift out of your target zone. Check out the Polar website. The higher end models tend to be very expensicve thought (200 - 300 e)

HRM's can give you great insight, but remember great results can be achieved without one. Good luck with it.

Boru.

Hi rainglow,

I actually work for a fitness equipment company and we stock a range of HRM; Polar, Timex and Oregon Scientific. You can get ones as cheap as €50 but for a good one with variable training zones you should be looking at around €125 - €155. I've got a few articles written on HR Training and its associated benefits. If you want I can forward them to you. It will give you a good grounding in what the different features do and what you'll need and won't need.

In the meantime good luck with the training!

Boru.

air

You don't need a HRM to loose body fat. In order to loose weight you need to reduce your food intake and / or increase your rate of exercise.
Once you've achieved your target body fat % you then need to maintain a consistent calorie intake and exercise level in order to maintain your target weight.
Try simple things like cutting out that regular snack or walking to the shops on a regular trip instead of driving.
You could also try moving around a bit faster in your day to day activities.
Most people dont notice but people that are overweight tend to move slowly while thinner people buzz around a lot. Exercise is great but it is day to day activities where we burn the vast majority of our calories (even keeping 60-100kg of meat at 37degrees takes a lot of energy).

It is small changes over a long period of time that will produce effective long term results.