Sunday, September 24, 2006

Running Aid: Polar S120

I got myself a new toy: Polar S120 heart rate monitor. This comes highly recommended for long distance runners over 40.
Polar SD120
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 ?).

3 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ram,

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Raman / Arbit / Balaji

    Thanks.. I am taking this to heart and will consult a 'sports' pronto..

    ReplyDelete