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heart rate monitors

JenSpinnaChick
JenSpinnaChick Posts: 104 Member
edited January 1 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I just got my new heart rate monitor (Polar FT40) and I'm just a little confused...How do I know where to set my maximum heart rate? I read the manual on line but didn't see anything about that, any advice out there would be greatly appreciated!!

Replies

  • alimay66
    alimay66 Posts: 10 Member
    Think its on page 26 of the manual:

    http://www.polar.fi/e_manuals/FT40/Polar_FT40_user_manual_English.pdf

    Training Settings, Select Settings > Training settings.
    • Training sounds: Select Off, Soft,Loud or Very loud.
    • Heart rate view : Set the FT40 to display your heart rate as Beats per minute or as Percent of maximum.
    • HeartTouch: Select On or Off. Heart Touch will display the time if you bring the wrist unit near the transmitter.
    • Heart rate upper limit helps you to train within your personal target heart rate zone (e.g. advised by a doctor). Set upper heart
    rate limit On and adjust the limit with UP/DOWN and press OK.

    User Information Select Settings > User Information and press OK.
    • Weight: Enter your weight.
    • Height: Enter your height.
    • Date of birth: Enter your date of birth
    • Sex : Select MALE or FEMALE.
    • Maximum heart rate is the highest number of heartbeats per minute (bpm) during maximum physical exertion. Change the default value only if you know your laboratory-measured value.
    • Activity: Select the alternative that best describes the overall amount and intensity of your physical activity during the past three months.
  • JenSpinnaChick
    JenSpinnaChick Posts: 104 Member
    OK I guess I didn't state my question correctly,,,how do you know what to set as your personal target heart rate zone?
  • malariemj
    malariemj Posts: 8 Member
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/target-heart-rate/SM00083
  • RiotMTB
    RiotMTB Posts: 91 Member
    The simplest traditional method is 226 minus your age.
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    You should take it back and get it a Garmin Edge 500. They're the best. Period. Point blank.
  • alimay66
    alimay66 Posts: 10 Member
    Whoops...sorry ;)

    Try this link http://www.livestrong.com/article/165271-how-to-set-your-heart-rate-limits/
  • RiotMTB
    RiotMTB Posts: 91 Member
    Ooops...sorry.

    For the zone I use this:

    http://www.ottawarun.com/heartrate.htm
  • malariemj
    malariemj Posts: 8 Member
    The article there says that some people vary up to 15-20bpm from this rate (if you do the calculator). My MHR is supposed to be 170 but when I work out my average HR is around 165 and my max is always like 193. If you don't want to look at the calculator just do 220 minus your age.
  • malariemj
    malariemj Posts: 8 Member
    I think Polar HRM are the best. I have a Polar FT70 and it connects with all my cardio equipment at the gym. It has a GPS tracker, too.
  • amberforgo
    amberforgo Posts: 7
    It really depends on what type of training you want to do? If it's fat burning zone i think its keeping your heart rate at 60 to 70% of your max heart rate. For Aerobic Zone 70 to 80% max heart rate.

    To find your max heart rate for females its 226 minus your age (this is not exact but close enough)

    Hope this helps
  • coolcatrandy
    coolcatrandy Posts: 6 Member
    Google "Determine max heart rate" there are several sites that can give you the ranges for a person your age, height, weight etc.
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