HRM/CrossFit Help!

melbot24
melbot24 Posts: 347 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Let me preface this by saying...I've read on a fellow MFP's blog that heart rate monitors DO NOT provide an accurate resting heart rate reading.

Go here to see where I got this info if you're interested:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

Just wanting to get some opinions from those of you who are using HRM's and have had success accurately logging caloric expenditures.

Here's what I'm wondering:
When I do CrossFit, for example, I wear my HRM with a chest strap. Since I just started there are periods when my instructor is showing me how to do an exercise, displaying form, etc. This is happening in between let's say a warm-up or any period of time where my heart rate was "in zone". So though I'm doing CrossFit for an hour, my heart rate was only "in zone" for 20-30 minutes. An aggregate of my warm-up, workout of the day (WOD), tabata intervals,etc.

What I've been doing is logging my caloric expenditure for those 20-30 minutes alone.
This leaves me with about half of the calories burned that my HRM actually displays when I've stopped it.

My reasoning behind this method?
My heart rate isn't accurate during the times of rest as my first statement above mentions.

Does anyone else do this?

I've done some calculation on my own and realize the calorie expenditure reading my HRM displays uses my average heart rate for the period of time for which it was monitoring.

Any advice, tips, explanations, hey-I-need-to-know-the-answer-to-this-question-too's are greatly appreciated. :)

Replies

  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    Would be nice to know... Hope someone chimes in.
  • melbot24
    melbot24 Posts: 347 Member
    Would be nice to know... Hope someone chimes in.

    Me too!
  • amymarie8709
    amymarie8709 Posts: 329 Member
    I stop mine as well. Technically you're still "burning", but the HRM isn't going to read it. So, when I'm between sets or pause for any reason I pause my HRM as well, then when I start again I start my HRM as well. Just keeps it more accurate for me.....for calories burned and for my actual exercise time.
  • melbot24
    melbot24 Posts: 347 Member
    I stop mine as well. Technically you're still "burning", but the HRM isn't going to read it. So, when I'm between sets or pause for any reason I pause my HRM as well, then when I start again I start my HRM as well. Just keeps it more accurate for me.....for calories burned and for my actual exercise time.

    Pausing is a great idea. I might have to try that and see how it goes...
  • Superchikanthem
    Superchikanthem Posts: 362 Member
    I've never heard that the HRM does not read at rest why would it not. Its sole purpose is to read your heart rate no matter how fast or slow it gets.

    I am not attacking just curious.
  • amymarie8709
    amymarie8709 Posts: 329 Member
    I've never heard that the HRM does not read at rest why would it not. Its sole purpose is to read your heart rate no matter how fast or slow it gets.

    I am not attacking just curious.

    Mine's an older one. So, I'm not sure it works completely right. This is just how it works best for me. And the only reason why I pause is to keep my cals and mins accurate during actual exercise...not to read my heart rate. I pay closer attention to my heart rate when I'm running. :) Like I said, that's just what works for me. Other peoples HRMs could be different. I would love to get a polar....but can't afford it yet. So, working with what I got!!

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