How do you feel when you get behind the slow person driving ten miles per hour under the speed limit? Or, when that car speeds past you in town going way to fast?
Speed limits in place for our protection, and the speedometer in our vehicle helps us stay within a safe speed when driving. In the same way, a heart rate monitor is like a speedometer for your heart.
It is important to know your heart rate when working out to optimize your training, making sure you are keeping within your target heart rate to gain the maximum strength and calorie burning benefits. Just like driving too slow or fast isn’t safe, having a lower heart rate isn’t doing much for your body and being over your max rate isn’t healthy. Optimum is 220 less your age and moderate is 200 less your age.
You can measure your heart rate manually, which isn’t exactly the most accurate but is better than nothing. If you want to increase accuracy and take advantage of technology, a heart rate monitor, most GPS running watches or an activity band can be used. It is also quite simple to monitor your heart rate when using a treadmill, elliptical, or exercise bike as this software is built into the machines to maximize your training.
Understanding your heart rate is important for your success and health. To learn more how to measure and utilize your heart rate in your training stop by Complete Runner and ask one of our friendly staff.
