Quick question - I'm curious...

Amber82479

Just wondering... For those of you who wear a HRM that calculates calories, is your goal to; a) workout for a specific period of time, b) workout until you reach your calorie goal, or c) do a specific exercise or exercise routine, regardless of time or calories? And why do you choose to workout that way?

I typically workout based on time for my cardio and the rest is completely random, based on my energy level and time constraints. Though, I always want to see more than 400 calories burned, so I'll adjust to meet that goal if necessary. Just wondering what others do and what works for them!

mewaybright

I have specific workouts, I workout until I am finished and then I calculate my calories burned with my average HR. The HRM is strictly so I know if I am in or out of my zone. If you work for an hour and are either under or over your target HRZ you will not get the benefit you are looking for from the workout. To me working out without a HRM would be like writing a term paper without punctuation, incomplete.

jsteffen80

I use mine as a benchmark. I have specific workout that I plan, for example today I will do 30 minutes of intervals on the stairmill, and 15 minutes of intervals on the stationary bike. The last time I did this workout I burned 810 calories. My calories on the stairmill will probably be the same as last time, as I am very close to my current max on that machine, but I plan to push it a little extra on the bike and burn more than 810 in the same time. I want to continue to expand my endurable discomfort.

JennC831

I use my HRM with a chest strap to calculate the calories burned when I work out that way I know how much to log. Having the HRM has helped me see that some of the machines I was using was over calculating my calorie burn and when I would use what MFP calculated it was under calculating.

rml_16

I try for a specific calorie goal. But I try to go for no less than an hour each session, even if I reach my goal before an hour. Sometimes I go longer and burn more, depending on my mood and what I'm doing and whether I'm alone or with people.

hottiewannabe

I use mine in Zumba to calcuate how much I'm burning. I will periodically check it during class to see if I'm pushing hard enough to get what I want. It's a great way to stay on track to meet your goals!

jfcarlson713

I use my HRM for two purposes. When I'm working out I use it to make sure I'm in my zone - afterwards I use it to see what calories I've burned so that when I do that workout the next time I know if I need to push it a little harder or if I'm on target. It helps me track my progress.

Megan2Project

I use mine for accurate logging. I do the workouts I like, so I stay motivated to work-out. The HRM can tell me if I am slacking and need to bump it up a notch too.

76tech

I use mine to make sure my HR is where I want it to be. Longer runs, I need to make sure my HR is low enough so I can keep it up for 1-1.5 hours.

I also use the GPS to check pace. Calories burned, I don't consider that to me more than a rough estimate. Too many factors to consider to make it really accurate.

huckahe

There are various workouts I follow that have me shifting into and out of different HR zones. Such workouts essentially burn the most fat...etc...
However I also like to plot my HR data (via my Garmin forerunner) to see how my recovery times are improving.
Its one thing to train at a certain HR or burn XXX calories, its another to be getting in better physical shape and see it in your HR recoveries.