Optimum heart rate for cardio?

FlittyGetsFit
FlittyGetsFit Posts: 94
in Fitness and Exercise
I want to get fit and use exercise to help me lose weight. I've lost 21lb over 10 weeks through diet, and have been exercising for 2 weeks now. I have a HRM, and on sites I've looked at, it says I should work at 60% - 80% of my maximum heart rate. What does this mean in practice? What happens if my heart rate is lower or higher than these values? I am exercising every day, C25k 3 days a week (it's very slow progress, I still haven't completed day 1 in full, but I'm making progress nonetheless!), and my exercise bike on the four rest days. I don't have any weights to do strength training, so was thinking of doing some wii fit plus exercises once or twice a week and Zumba once a week instead of a bike ride.

Replies

  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    You want to continually work out in the optimal zone because it will challenge your lungs, heart and muscles to work harder and be stronger. of course, it also burns more calories in this zone. As you improve on your workouts, your heartrate will take more and need more to stay 'in the zone' this is the road to physical fitness! Just keep improving!
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    if your heartrate is too low- lower than the optimal zone, you really aren't doing much. if you go over the limit before your body is ready, you may very well stress out your body - in fact, your body will send out hormones and chemicals that do more harm than good - stimulates the inflammatory response, your heart gets too stressed.....you won't feel right. if you are just starting out and do not know your upper limits that you can actually push, just take it slow and stay in your range! you'll get the most benefits this way. I love HRMs!

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