Polar FT4 "Not in Zone" during Insanity (Again)

amberfranklin1

I started Insanity a couple of weeks ago and finally last week got a Polar FT4. I know that Insanity is interval training so its not going to be like a workout on a treadmill. My "Not in Zone" alarm goes off through most of the workout because I am above my target heart rate. There is no way I can keep up with the intensity and stay within that range. Last week I buned the same amount of calories in a 45 minute walk (brisk 4 mph) as I did doing a 40 minute Insanity DVD. There is no way that I work even half as hard on a walk as I do during Insanity. Is that because you burn more calories while in the target zone? Insnaity to me is not all about the calories burned, but the way it is changing my body, but I just wonder about this. Having the HRM has really opened my eyes, when Shaun T says "check your heart" what really should I be checking for? I should be on week 3 but due to our busy schedule I am only able to follow the schedule, not the 6 day a week calendar. I still workout every day, but can only do Insanity about 4 days a week. Any insight would be appreciated, I want to make sure I am getting the most out of this, I love it!

cutelashawn

Im also doing Insanity and Turbo Fire together and my alarm on my Polar use to go off alot too. You can go to the settings and set your target zone higher than what the manufature sets it for you. I changed mine and I also turned off the beeping noise. I hate to hear that beeping noise all the time while I work out. I hope this helps. Your HR supose to be high doing Insanity but you need to bing it down from time to time so u wont overexert your body.

BigBoneSista

Don't worry about the alarm unless you are feeling light-headed and your heart feels like its about to break through your chest. Seriously. I had to move my max to 185 when I first started working out because I got tired of the beep but now I rarely get higher than 171. You are burning calories as well as fat. If you are working out hard then you are getting the most out of the workout.

Like the above poster said you can change your settings or you can just turn the beep off.

hyde1977

You can also turn the sounds off.....

I set mine a bit higher! You do tend to burn more when you stay within a certain range (what that range is, is hard to tell) We are all different.....Tonight I was at 162 for most of my work out and got a better burn then I ever have!

moxette

Hi! First of all I am a certified personal trainer and this is a common misconception that you need to be in a certain "zone" to burn fat. You can change your zones on your monitor. Being above the "fat burning" or "cardio" does not mean you burn less fat calories. It just means the ratio margins (fat to muscles calories burned) are a little closer. But you actually burn more calories the harder you work! So don't be afraid to let Sean T make you dig deeper! My husband and I did insanity last year for a work experiment. I found that 3 or 4 days per week of insanity is perfect and then add 2 days of longer mid range cardio in. As your fitness level improves your walks will feel easier so pick up the intensity to keep seeing changes. Good luck!

amberfranklin1

Thanks so much for the replies, buut Im still confused. I now know that I can turn the alarm off and adjust my target zone, but the alarm is not really what bothers me. What bothers me is not knowing if I should slow down and get back "in the zone" when Shaun T says "check your heart" before going back into it or just keep going. I could adjust my target, but how would I know what to adjust it to?
moxette- Im glad that you had success with Insanity only 3 or 4 days a week. I have been working out since Jan 3 and have lost 18 pounds. I feel like Insanity is now what will help "shape" me. I love elliptical and walking I have walked miles in the past few months and like last night burned 451 calories in an hour, so I am really getting a good workout, but Insanity is different. I just want to make sure I am doing this right as far as heart rate goes. I feel like my body is ready to "Dig Deeper" I just want to make sure I do it right!

moxette

This article explains what I was trying to say a little better...
http://exercise.about.com/cs/cardioworkouts/l/aa022601a.htm