Suunto & movescount.com/HRM questions!

hanneberries

Does anyone use this site/app, and have an HRM from Suunto?

I just bought my first HRM, and it's a Suunto M4. It's simple, and that's what I wanted. It'll monitor calories and HR, and it, apparently, has daily work out recommendations and a 7 day program. But all in all, I'm pleased with it, for it seems to be what I want.

But then comes the other question, how, exactly, do you use your HRM?

Because I thought it would be easy enough to just strap it on, and go for my walk/bike ride/run, and it would be alright, but then the guy who sold it to me started going on about how for running/cycling, you'd need extra bits etc. Do you really, or was he just trying to sell more stuff?

bdhogan

Hi hanneberries,

Not sure if anyone has answered this for you, but I now understand that using a HRM is only really useful if you actually stick to the recommended heart rate zones. It took me ages to work this out.

I used to use a HRM for years and just sort of strapped it on and did what I want with no real regard for the heart rate zones. From what I understand now I may have been doing some pretty junk training over the years. I have made the decision now to make sure I follow a true training plan with heart rate zones to improve my performance. Hopefully this will work (I am already seeing some improvements even though some of my training sessions feel like I am going too slow!)

Check out these websites for some information (cycling focused):
http://www.cycling-inform.com/heart-rate-training/73-how-to-use-heart-rate-monitor-and-zones-to-improve-your-cycling
http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/heart-rate-monitor-training-for-cyclists-28838/

Best of luck!

P.S. Don't be a slave to your heart rate monitor, and make sure you listen to your body to avoid overtraining!

Azdak

Does anyone use this site/app, and have an HRM from Suunto?

I just bought my first HRM, and it's a Suunto M4. It's simple, and that's what I wanted. It'll monitor calories and HR, and it, apparently, has daily work out recommendations and a 7 day program. But all in all, I'm pleased with it, for it seems to be what I want.

But then comes the other question, how, exactly, do you use your HRM?

Because I thought it would be easy enough to just strap it on, and go for my walk/bike ride/run, and it would be alright, but then the guy who sold it to me started going on about how for running/cycling, you'd need extra bits etc. Do you really, or was he just trying to sell more stuff?

He was referring to the add-on devices to help you monitor speed, distance and other performance measures. The heart rate monitor and strap will work just fine for gauging intensity, the training programs, estimating calories--you need the add ons w/GPS to get speed and distance.

Bookers23

I have the ambit, it's a all in one so don't need the add ons. I really love the website and find the tracking and programming to be far above any other site. I have had polar and Garmin etc. the m4 is really good hrm but its just that. I believe you also need the USB device to upload your data. The extras work well and really add to your experience but at that price you could have the ambit. Good luck!

Mokey41

You don't need extra things if you're just doing basic cardio type workouts. Ignore the whole zone thing. Burning calories is burning calories. Your body doesn't flip a switch at a certain HR and go from burning fat into the next zone.