exercising with a heart rate monitor

matthewsq
matthewsq Posts: 58 Member
edited January 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys, I was wondering if you guys can help me. My question is: should I follow my heart rate monitor OR push myself?

I just finished jogging in the treadmill at the basement while wearing a heart rate monitor. I am 20 years old and I was jogging in the treadmill, while jogging my heart rate was in the range of 160-175. I exercising for 30 minutes and I barely sweat and felt like I didn't push myself enough. Should I push myself more or follow my heart rate?

(note: I am looking to lose weight. Also was doing HIIT training because I don't want to jog for 30 minutes straight)

Replies

  • matthewsq
    matthewsq Posts: 58 Member
    btw my rest heart rate is 70-85. I thought it was a little too high? Maybe my heart rate is over by 10? but then again I just finished working out 1.5hours ago. When I first put it on it was 74 but I already went down the stairs.
  • CINDYRN33
    CINDYRN33 Posts: 148 Member
    I asked a similiar question the other day and the general consenses was a corie burned is a calorie burned and zones dont really matter....I cycle and walk on treadmill and my heart rate is always like 20 beats higher than the max of fat burning zone. I just decided I would work out based off how I feel rather than base intensity off of what the HR monitor was showing.
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member
    I have found this to be a pretty good guide for me.

    http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/heart-rate-calculators/hrzone

    As you will read, effort in one zone helps performance across the board. With a workout plan structured at hitting each zone throughout the course of a week I've made good improvements in everything from 5k pace to 1/2 mara pace.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Push yourself more if you want to improve. Your max HR would be in the range of 200 so you have lots left to give! The whole fat burning zone thing is garbage. Burning calories is burning calories so why not go for a bigger burn.
  • matthewsq
    matthewsq Posts: 58 Member
    I wasn't in the fat burning zone. 160-175 in my age is cardio, I'm afraid that if I push it would be intense work out and would build muscle. I want to lose weight not build muscles in the legs. I want to lose my muscle in the legs because it's so big, I can't fit into pants
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Hey guys, I was wondering if you guys can help me. My question is: should I follow my heart rate monitor OR push myself?

    Throw the heart rate monitor away and push yourself.
  • teejay2039
    teejay2039 Posts: 35
    I want to lose my muscle in the legs because it's so big, I can't fit into pants

    Umm.... buy bigger pants?? I'm curious.... what leg muscle is so big u can't get into ur pants????
  • lambertj
    lambertj Posts: 675 Member
    Keep your HRM and go hard. I'm 47 years old so my max HR is 175, I train at around 155-160, higher heart rate, more calories burned!
  • mariagabriella
    mariagabriella Posts: 267 Member
    push yourself with the assistance of your HRM?

    if you're looking to lose weight, then go for high intensity.
  • michellersalo
    michellersalo Posts: 60 Member
    I wasn't in the fat burning zone. 160-175 in my age is cardio, I'm afraid that if I push it would be intense work out and would build muscle. I want to lose weight not build muscles in the legs. I want to lose my muscle in the legs because it's so big, I can't fit into pants

    I don't think you really want to lose muscle in your legs... It would drastically decrease your metabolism AND atrophy is NOT a good thing. I am sure you meant that you wanted to slim your legs down... At least I hope so.

    Anyways, you want to push with your cardio, cardio does not "build" muscle per se... It's aerobic; not anaerobic. It might tighten up your legs and give them more of a leaner appearance.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I want to lose my muscle in the legs because it's so big, I can't fit into pants

    Umm.... buy bigger pants?? I'm curious.... what leg muscle is so big u can't get into ur pants????

    I could show you rather than tell you.

    The OP must like extremely skinny jeans. And obviously is using someone else's photo. Because the guy in the photo doesn't seem to have gigantic muscular legs that don't fit into anything but MC Hammer parachute pants
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    I use my HRM only as a means of measuring my calories burned. I don't even look at it when I'm working out.
  • matthewsq
    matthewsq Posts: 58 Member
    Actually that's me in the photo it just doesn't look big because its black. I wear size 28-32 jeans and most jeans I can't wear because of my legs. It fits alright with the waist not the legs. Anyways I decided to just use what some people here suggested. Just run and worry about it afterwards, exercise is exercise. Thank you for all the replies =)
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