Does it count as exercise?

mlb929

I use my HRM only when I exercise. But on days I do Yoga or Stretching, my HRM shows very low average HR for the work out.

My resting HR is 58-62, that's laying in bed, before I get up in the AM, taken first thing in the AM (as described by Tony Horton in the Bring It book). Once I'm up and moving it's about 70-80 depending on my movement.

I'm constantly moving, until I get to work which is at a desk, but I get up and down and move around frequently. I don't just sit here for hours. I've never tested my HR for a day for the average, maybe I should do that?

But, when I did Stretching on Sunday, my "rest" day, my average HR for the 90 minutes was 89. That's not much different than when I'm just moving around. So, does it really count as exercise. If I hadn't been stretching, I would have been doing my normal weekend stuff, cleaning, folding clothes, cooking, etc etc.

So if my HR isn't much different than my normal activities are, does that count?

backinthenines

I wouldn't add stretching.

In terms of yoga I would only log the more vigorous forms like Ashtanga & Bikram.

xraychick77

usually yoga is strength type training, so you are working your muscles. but you dont necessarily have to have an increase in heart rate to burn calories. i am a weight trainer, and i sure do count my workout as a workout. My heart rate may not get up there at a conastant rate, but darn right i'm burning calories!

backinthenines

You can't really compare the two.

Cardio burn is instant.

Weight training might not massively raise the HR, but it's all about the afterburn, the impact of lean mass on the metabolism etc

Generic gentle Hatha yoga & generic stretching (not Bokram or Ashtanga) is more about body maintenance, you neither burn a lot of calories nor will you build lean mass, but you do it to keep muscle supple, prevent injury etc.