HR Monitors? Are it really worth it?

chrisb177

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Heart Rate monitor, is it worth buying one? I'm mainly training for 10TT and general fitness if I get one would you be able to tell me what zones I should be training in and for how long etc?

Thanks

Chris

fuzzynavel

chrisb177 wrote:

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Heart Rate monitor, is it worth buying one? I'm mainly training for 10TT and general fitness if I get one would you be able to tell me what zones I should be training in and for how long etc?

Thanks

Chris

Heart rates are a good measure of exertion but it is not an instantaneous measurement. You heart takes a good few second to react to any exertion.

singlespeedexplosif

yes, it's definitely worth getting one, as long as you then use it
training zones are easy to work out once you have done a MHR test

idaviesmoore

chrisb177 wrote:

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Heart Rate monitor, is it worth buying one? I'm mainly training for 10TT and general fitness if I get one would you be able to tell me what zones I should be training in and for how long etc?

Thanks

Chris

Definately worth buying one. But you need to be able:

1. Use it to its full potential. A lot of people wear one but don't really use all the functions
2. Understand why you are using one. Read up on training zones and plan how you are going to use the HRM effectively
3. Interprate the data. If the HRM has a recordable data function then you can link it to your PC. The HRM may come with software to log your sessions. Learn what the differant data actually means. Only through this way can you make meaningfull conclusions about how your training is going.
4. Check fatigue. Use HRM to check resting heart rate, responsiveness of heart to training. If RHR is higher than normal or you have difficulty in raising heart rate effectively it's a sign that you are tired
5. Not rely on it too much. Many people I have known have never trained without one and they lose the ability to know their own body, thier own limits. It's good to train by memory.

Hope this helps

Alex_Simmons/RST

idaviesmoore wrote:

Definately worth buying one. But you need to be able:

1. Use it to its full potential. A lot of people wear one but don't really use all the functions

Just use the functions that matter and forget the gimmicks that many HR manufacturers include.

idaviesmoore wrote:

3. Interprate the data. If the HRM has a recordable data function then you can link it to your PC. The HRM may come with software to log your sessions. Learn what the differant data actually means. Only through this way can you make meaningfull conclusions about how your training is going.

A HRM is good for telling me is how fast my heart was beating, overall on average, and during sections of a ride. So as a general guide to intensity of a day's effort, it is OK and in that context can be quite helpful. But as far as reading much more into it, that's just tilting at windmills.

HRMs that combine with a cyclo-computer are good for easy recording of your ride stats and acting as a defacto ride diary.

idaviesmoore wrote:

5. Not rely on it too much. Many people I have known have never trained without one and they lose the ability to know their own body, thier own limits. It's good to train by memory.

It is always a good idea to develop a sense of pacing by perceived exertion - even for us power meter users.

idaviesmoore

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

[
It is always a good idea to develop a sense of pacing by perceived exertion - even for us power meter users.

TBH Alex, I rarely use a HRM anymore :oops: I'm looking at getting a PM at some point this year. Having read what many people discuss on this forum (and magazines/books) it is obviously the way forward in terms of a training tool that gives practical data.

But I wouldn't want to put anyone off getting a HRM as they do have their uses

BeaconRuth

chrisb177 wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a Heart Rate monitor, is it worth buying one?

It's well worth having one, but, arguably, it's not worth spending much on one. The only use I ever make of a HRM personally is real-time HR and average HR, depending on the training I'm doing. Maximums, minimums, resting HR, laps, calories, cadence, GPS, zones, speed, bells, whistles............. no interest to me personally. I've never owned a downloadable HRM myself either, though I'll concede that as a coach it's useful to see what someone's HR did during a training session.

Ruth

ps. I suppose I do look at the stopwatch on it - in fact this is probably the function I use most.

Cougar

I would get a HRM if for no other reason than to satisfy your curiousity. Training with a HRM all sounds perfectly logical and when you ride with one you can see it going up and down with different levels of effort.

After a while when the novelty factor wears off a bit you'll forget it's there and then after a while longer you'll realise that it doesn't make any difference to the way you are riding whatsoever. It's only a few quid to buy one so no harm done. Now if it was going to cost hundreds then that would be another story

azzurribike

Iv'e noticed that I can actually have some control on heart rate by concentrating on breathing. Or am I dreaming any comments.

So if this is possible with HRM as guide you can improve performance and monitor zones and breathing

nasahapley

FWIW I agree with Beaconruth; my bottom-of-the-range Polar is as basic as they get (only got one button on it!), but it tells me real-time HR, time elapsed and the average HR over a session, and it's been a very useful aid for rowing, running and now cycling. Cost £30 about six years ago so no complaints about getting my money's worth either!