Heart Rate Monitor
A heart rate monitor is an excellent tool to have during your
aerobic exercise days. Like the name says, a heart rate monitor measures the
number of beats your heart makes every minute. Usually, heart rate monitors come
in two pieces: a band that straps around your chest, and a reader that you wear
like a watch.
Polar and Nike manufacture complete lines of heart rate
monitors. Some of the models let you set a maximum and minimum rate of beeps.
This lets you know when you are doing your aerobic exercise "in the
zone"
Maximum Heart Rate
If you are in average health with no serious heart problems then taking 220
minus your age is a good, quick estimate of your maximum heartrate. For example,
a 30 year old man would have a maximum heart rate of 190 (220-30 = 190).
Fat Burning Zone
You can use a heart rate monitor to make sure you are working out in your
"fat burning zone". This is 60-70% of your maximum heart rate. Some
heart rate monitors automatically calculate the range for your fat burning zone
and alert you when you are exercising in the zone.
Cardio Zone
Your cardio zone is 70-80% of your maximum heart rate. Your heart rate
monitor may be able to calculate your cardio zone based on your age and alert
you when you are training in the cardio zone.
For a time, experts believed that your body burned more fat
over a period of time when you exercised only in your fat burning zone. Early
heart rate monitors focused only on measuring and tracking this! Now we know
that exercising in the cardio zone is healthy, safe, and can have long lasting
benefits. Look for a heart rate monitor that lets you exercise for maximum
weightloss.
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