Which HR Zone?

Unknown

Having just bought a Polar HRM I am looking to determine which formula to calculate my training zone. I have downloaded a small programme off the net which, based on my age (or age and weight etc) provides several different assessments of what constitutes the various 'zones' which constitute the correct HR Level for, say, weight management. For example my weight management zone looks like this:

BCC/ABCC/WCPP (Revised Guidelines) = 118 - 136 bpm

Peter Keen BCF/ABCC(Original Guidelines) = < 137 bpm

Sally Edwards = 109 - 127 bpm

Karvonen = 129 - 142 bpm

Dr Peter Kanopka = 129 - 139 bpm

ACSM = 116 - 162 bpm

My own (completely unscientific) assessment is that I haven't a clue which zone to use although there seems to be one of 2 areas to work with in either about 120 - 130 bpm or about 130 - 139 bpm.

I just wondered what the general view was and whether any cyclists had used a particular formula over a period of time to lose weight successfully?

Cheers

Paul

nmcgann

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by PaulQ</i>

.....
I just wondered what the general view was and whether any cyclists had used a particular formula over a period of time to lose weight successfully?

Cheers

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I didn't use a formula for "fat burning zones", but I lost 3st over 6 months last winter by doing about 3-4 hours of turbo training per week in 1h sessions at about 85% of MHR plus a 60-70 mile club ride on sundays at about 70-75% MHR. I also cut down my food intake a bit, but not by much.

I didn't have time to do lots of miles at lower HR's which are supposed to burn a higher proportion of fat (but less calories/hour overall). I took an alternative view and went for burning as many calories/hour as I could instead. It seemed to work just fine for me.

Neil

wotbus@

Maybe you are over complicating things. Regular hard exercise, at least 3 times/week and at least 20-30mins duration, will burn all your excess fat eventually. General statement. Looking after your diet will also help.
Use of any electronic aid is, IMO, not really necessary - just some bathroom scales and self discipline [;)]
OK, you have your HRM which presumably came with some setup info. Usually this is split into 3 zones in which to train. My advice is to use the average calculation to find your zone - and train in the middle one - but do it more than once a week [:D]
Don't expect immediate or spot (tummy/thighs etc) results.

gaterz1981

train in the middle zone (approx 70% MHR). I just typed in age and weight and my HRM did the rest. MHR of 196...have hit 192 and ouch that hurt.

I work hard because millions on benefits depend on me
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... 81/MTB.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... rFrame.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... rFrame.jpg

Unknown

Thanks. For anyone interested the tool I mentioned is here:

http://tinyurl.com/dk5ne

Cheers

Paul