Got a HR monitor now what

grace42d

I got a Polar FT4 HR monitor form my b-day.

So far I have done two workouts.
1. Post-hole in 2 ft of snow: 32 min, 104 avg HR, 180 max HR, 118 cal, 12 min in zone
2. Walk/run: 52 min, 139 avg HR, 164 max HR, 346 cal, 16 min in zone

What does it mean? Which workout was better? Any tips on how to use the monitor to improve fitness? Should I focus on Max HR, time in zone, or duration of activity?

synnglemommm

I have the Polar FT7 and LOVE it, have been using it to calculate my calories and monitor my HR. When you know what your HR range should be it helps to keep track to be sure you're in the right zone. But I love it for the calories burned aspect. Make sure as you lose weight to change the settings, otherwise you'll get false calories burned, so as I lose weight I make sure to change it.

But it's helpful for when you do gardening, shoveling snow all kinds of non-exercise type activities. The zones are fitness and I can't remember the other one, I rarely look at that.

I guess it depends on what you want to get out of your HRM......

DavPul

Just work out

PikaKnight

Well, HRMs are more for steady rate cardio rather than gardening. Ways to increase your fitness and track it shouldn't be dependent on your HRM, but rather on how you are improving on the exercise. For instance, running or walking. Fitness improvements should be based on how far and how fast you go/keep pushing yourself.

Here's some additional info for HRMs

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1044313-this-is-why-hrms-have-limited-use-for-tracking-calories

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

meshashesha2012

i use my monitor mainly to measure my heart rate.
i try to keep my warm ups between 120-135 and the actual workout to 150 and above with total workout time around 60 minutes.

i dont pay attention to the zones because they arent that useful TBH.