I got myself a new toy: Polar S120 heart rate monitor. This comes highly recommended for long distance runners over 40.
I picked this one up from Academy in Dallas for USD 80. I have used it few times, but yet to get the settings right. Wish the manual and the monitor was more user friendly.
Have a question: When used it today, my heart rate consistently hovered around 165 - 170 and in some cases touched 175. Is it OK to run at close to 100% of my max heart rate (as suggested by 220 - age ?).
No. The purpose of using a heart rate monitor is to not run at a rate faster than 70 - 80 % of your maximum heart rate. So if you want the heart rate monitor to be productive, you must slow down a lot more than you usually run so that your heart rate is at 75% of your max heart rate..while this may be painfully slow, it is the best form of aerobic training you can ever get.
ReplyDeleteRam,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Raman and Arbit regarding the percentage of use. I do not think it is OK to run at close to 100%. Earlier after consulting a doctor, who does not believe any electronic gadgets, I took my body signals, like gasping and unable to talk while jogging as a measure to reduce the speed.
Raman / Arbit / Balaji
ReplyDeleteThanks.. I am taking this to heart and will consult a 'sports' pronto..