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| Author | Topic: heart rate advice needed | ||
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Cool Novice 
Posts: 13 |
I was just wondering if everyone keeps track of their heart rate while doing cardio? I wanted to know if moderately intense (fat burning zone) is better than going really fast on the machines to get your heart rate at it's limit (calorie burning zone). I recently purchased a heart rate monitor to make sure I wasn't doing anaerobic cardio. I set my heart rate maximum at 165. I'm 21 and according to a graph that is my max. Does that sound right? I'm trying to stay in the fat burning zone because going really fast does not seem to be cutting it when it comes to loosing bf. If anyone has any info that might help please let me know. Thanks.     | ||
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Novice 
Posts: 9 |
I use a heart rate monitor and like it very much. Just like I think having a weight training log keeps me motivated, I think the heart rate monitor does the same for me and my cardio. I guess I just really love measuring stuff in regards to my workouts - kind of makes it like a game. With my monitor, I can set a high limit and a low limit, and it will beep if it gets too high or too low. I like that little safety net. I found that the ranges suggested by the monitor's user manual did not suit me. I've just had to figure out my own ranges by trial and error and the type of cardio I'm doing. I don't always stay under my high limit either, especially when doing interval training and sprints, but I've been using the monitor for several years now and know what's appropriate for me and my heart. I wouldn't recommend red-lining yourself until you're really familiar with your own heart rate. What I think is neat is how sensitive the monitor is, and how just a very slight increase or decrease in your speed can bring your heart rate into target. The monitor will teach you how to feel these subtle changes in your body yourself. It will also give you clues about your overall condition. If you're going along at your "usual" pace, but the monitor is saying you're over the limit, beeping too high, then it could mean you're overtraining or getting sick. Conversely (at your "usual" pace), if the monitor says you're going too slow, it could mean your heart is getting fitter and able to do the same workout at a lower heart rate. Always listen to your own body first though, because the monitor is just a little battery-operated device prone to error. Mine goes haywire whenever running by a house with those underground electric dog fences. Also, some cardio machines with built in heart rate monitors can throw it off as well. | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 13 |
Thanks Fit Fossil. Does anyone use the heart rate graphs as a guide? Also, do most of you do cardio for fat burning or calorie burning? How do I determine my target heart rate? What percentage of that heart rate should I try to achieve to burn fat? Thanks for your replies | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 206 |
while doing my cardio the machine i use says that someone being 20 should be 120 for fat loss and 170 for cardio training. i am 22 and usually try to keep my heart rate around 135-160. of course this always changes depening on how my day goes, but that should give you a general idea. ...dr | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 26 |
litl warrior - I am 20 years old so our heart rate will basically be the same... I use a heart rate monitor every time I do cardio. My target heart rate is from 120-160, but ALWAYS keep it in the range of 130-150. Most of the time I push it to the limit and keep it at 150 but try not to go higher than the 130-150 range. It works the best for me. Even during precontest time I was starting to lose muscle so we had to lower my heart rate and I wasn't allowed to go over 140!!! Sucked because I felt like I was accomplishing absolutely NOTHING! Do you take any kind of ECA (ephedra)?? I take it 2 days on/1 off and let me tell you, while doing cardio it feels like nothing because your heart rate is already high so it makes it so much easier! If you're not using it, try it. Its awesome! Good luck! AJ |
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posted January 15, 2001 02:29 PM