Heart Rate?

bringit30

So, I am fairly new to exercise, and now I love it. I am currently loving my elliptical. However, in order to get a cardio workout to lose fat, what is my heart rate suppose to be? I read lots of things about HRM, but I am clueless. Currently, I just go by the calorie count on my elliptical, which I think is off because I weight 168 and it says I burn 600 calories in 30 minutes....?? It does have the handles to find my heart rate, but that doesn't help if I don't know where I am suppose to be!

Any fitness "experts" add me so I can get your tips please!!! :happy:

CMmrsfloyd

600 cal in 30 minutes sounds way too high for someone your size to me. I started out on the site at 165 and that's twice what I could burn in that time if I was REALLY pushing myself with running or other cardio (I always wear a heart rate monitor when I exercise). Machines are pretty bad about overestimating.

sandy2006

I did the elliptical today for 40 minutes and burned 310 calories using a HRM. 600 sounds excessive to me

bringit30

I know it is off, but what is my heart rate suppose to be??

Ant_M76

I think I burn around 350 or so in 20 mins but I am way heavier than you (like 260lbs). My heart rate can be anything from 130 to 160, depending on speed and resistance.

I do intervals and on level 8 at slow - moderate speed my HR is 135-145, on level 16 at fairly fast speed it is around 145-155.

RAFValentina

600 calories is way too high... try halving that ... AT LEAST!

You should try and work it between 50 and 75%... forget "fat burning zone" work in "aerobic zone" which are all a little bit mythical but at about 70 - 85% is ideal. For me thats 147-about 175 BPM. you shouldn;t be exercising just for fat loss but for heart, body and respiratory health too, oh and muscle conditioning.

erickirb

the harder you work the more calories you burn the more you will lose. Ignore HR zones they are a crock of S&*t, just keep pushing yourself, that is the way to the best results.

CMmrsfloyd

I know it is off, but what is my heart rate suppose to be??

My HRM has a 'zone' anywhere from 125-160 (I think that's right - it might be more like 165) - but that's just an approximate range, it's not exact. I often go higher than that, and as long as I feel good doing it, I don't worry about it. But as far as weightloss goes, basically if you're working your butt off, you're working your butt off. LOL

sylvuz323

There are plenty of websites that can tell you where you heart rate should be plus some specific to the type of work out your doing...http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm

You will definitely want to invest in a heart rate monitor (HRM) for an accurate count. The elliptical I use at work allows me to program my stats: age, weight. sex and height and the calorie burn is fairly accurate. My HRM is usually slightly higher by 50 cals.

ninerbuff

Take you age and subtract if from 220. This is basically your maximum heart rate. Take that number and multiply it by .65 or .75 to get the heart rate you probably want to be working at.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

saraemily5

I use a HRM and love it. I typically try to stay between 125 and 180. I'm 28 years old. You can find target heart rate charts online lots of places. When I was doing the elliptical b4 I got my HRM the elliptical was telling me 450 cals- when I got my HRM is was only like 250 for 30 mins. HRM are awesome.... U should get one!

ansonrinesmith

http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/heartrate.htm#
80% is considered "Cardio"
70% is considered "Fat Burning"