Posted on December 23, 2009 by Dave W

Is it worthwhile using an heart rate monitor?

In my opinion yes and no.

Let me explain my apparent confusion.

If you are a regular trainer, in my opinion, you will know exactly how much effort is required to reach a target zone.

If you are new to exercise or returning from a lengthy absence then an heart rate monitor can give you some useful information.

Here is a YouTube video  from a nice lady who works for Polar. Of course manufacturers of heart rate monitors would have everyone wearing one I suspect.

Many years ago,I decided if I was to carry on playing sports, I would have to increase my fitness levels.

I returned to the gym after an interval of around 10 years. I was still involved in sport but no real training was undertaken.

I threw myself into things and bought a couple of fitness mags to see if anyone had invented a cure for laziness yet.

An article in one of the mags was about heart rate monitors, and it stated that if you are over 40 and starting or returning to regular exercise an heart rate monitor would be a good investment.

This article could almost have been a personal letter to me as it described me perfectly.

I rushed to our local retail park which has a sports shop above a fitness club.

As I parked my car a man who looked about the same age as me was being stretchered out of the building and put into an ambulance.

I went straight up to the shop and quickly purchased my first heart rate monitor.

When I first used it, I found I was training too far outside my recommended heart rate zone.

This was a bit disheartening at first as I had to restrain my new-found enthusiasm for getting fit.

After a while I found I could train harder at lower heart rates, the fitter I became.

After I reached a reasonable standard of fitness I stopped using it. Well, the truth is the battery ran out and I didn’t think I needed it anymore so I didn’t buy a new one.

Recently, I purchased one that I can attach to my bike.

I was interested to see how cycling affected my heart rate and I could use it as a guide to my cycling fitness.

I wore it for a couple of weeks and logged my figures. I will wear it again in a few months to see if anything changes.

So, my conclusion for using an heart rate monitor is, yes, if you are new or returning to exercise, and no if you are a regular exerciser who knows his/her own body.

Dave W

Cycling For Fitness

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