Polar HRM issue?? Or Am I just getting fitter?
hottottie11
Posts: 907 Member
Question all those with a Polar HRM (specifically FT4).
As of late, I've been experiencing a lower heart rate and quicker drop in HR as well as a lower calorie burn according to my HRM.
For example in my Hip hop class, my HR can get as high as 184, but lately it's only been about 170. I used to burn 600-700 cals now I'm bearly getting 500.
What's the deal? Do I need to send my HRM in for maintenance or is my body getting more efficient?
As of late, I've been experiencing a lower heart rate and quicker drop in HR as well as a lower calorie burn according to my HRM.
For example in my Hip hop class, my HR can get as high as 184, but lately it's only been about 170. I used to burn 600-700 cals now I'm bearly getting 500.
What's the deal? Do I need to send my HRM in for maintenance or is my body getting more efficient?
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Replies
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bump0
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Could be a battery in the chest strap...or you are getting fitter
Possible both... 0 -
Sounds like you are just getting fitter!
Check a few times during the workout to make sure the sensors are working the whole time - but if it is just the upper level is coming down - yep, you are just getting fitter.0 -
If you are close to maintenance weight and healthier, it will be harder to get your heart rate up and keep it up - or at least that is my experience. If you haven't washed your strap, that will help as well (wash in machine in laundry bag with no fabric softener and then just lay out to dry). Mine was acting up a little last week and after the wash (which is recommended after every 5th use and rinse after each use) and now mine is working fine again. I have found since I am only about 5-10 lbs from my goal weight, it is much harder to burn calories and keep my heart rate up - just getting fitter I guess. Best of luck to you and hope this helps.0
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When you weigh less, you burn less calories. I don't know specifically about the Polar HRM but I'll check back here because I'm interested in any responses. I'm thinking about getting one.0
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I asked Polar customer service the same thing. Your hrm does not give reduced numbers because of a low battery or a malfunction. Your body is working more efficiently.0
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Yep. You're getting fitter (and used to your exercise). If you took a couple weeks off and started up again, you'd see it go up high again.
I also notice that hot weather vs. cold weather makes a difference.0 -
I've notice this in the last couple of weeks at zumba. I have an ft7. Same on my 5k jog on the treadmill. I put it down to getting fitter.0
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If this is an exercise that you've been doing consistently over a long period of time, your body is getting used to it AND getting fitter, which is why you're not seeing the same HR. As a fitness instructor, my HR doesn't get as high as it used to in the classes that I teach on a regular basis, so I try to make time to do things that I don't normally do to get my HR up that much more. For example, I will teach a spin class, and work as hard as I can, but not be able to get my HR into that 90 -92% range like I used to. But, if I run (which I'm not used to doing) my HR will stay consistent in the 88 - 92% range for the entire run. You just have to change things up. Good Luck!!0
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Lower top heart rate, faster recovery, and a reduced calorie burn from the same exercise are all signs of increasing fitness! That's great, even if it does mean you have to change things up to get the same calorie burn. Congrats!0
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I have a Polar FT4, too. I would make sure your chest strap is snug, I know I had to adjust mine as I have lost weight. I think you are just getting fitter, though. It isn't as much of challenge as it previously was, so your heart rate does not get as elevated, and you are having a quicker recovery. I have seen the same thing with my running. Good luck!0
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Your heart rate has lowered therefore your calorie burn lowers. How do you feel during and after class? Less effort to complete the class or to keep up. If so I'd say your becoming fitter which is a good thing. Make sure you are keeping the user information current, like current weight and such. And then your battery could be low but I beleive it gives you a low battery warning if that occurring. Chances are you are just becoming more fit and if that's the case you have accomplished a great deal so BE PROUD>KEEP IT UP.0
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Most likely you're getting fitter. 0
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When you weigh less you burn less. Unless your body is becoming more efficient at the exercise then I guess you might have to incorporate other types of workouts?0
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I noticed mine did the same thing...but its mostly because my heart rate is lower even resting now and doesn't get as high during workours so I burn less which means your getting fitter:):) I don't know if the ft4 has the fitness test on it but if it does you can do that and it'll tell you where your at fitness wise..I have the ft40 which is just a step up from the ft4.0
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Thanks for all your replies!!
It just sucks not seeing the same burn as I'm used to, but its great to know my body is getting more efficient.....which means I have eat a little less (booo..cuz I love to eat) or boost up the intensity.0 -
Lowered heart rate does not mean that calorie burn has decreased. It means that the intensity at which you are working is now a lower percentage of your maximum--because your maximum has increased.
The HRM doesn't know the difference so it just keeps spitting out numbers based on your old level of conditioning.
If you are doing a quantifiable type of exercise (running, walking, cycling, etc), the response is simple---work harder.
If you are doing a class, then it is a little more complicated since your ability to increase your effort might be limited by the choreography of the instructor, physical coordination, etc. If you find that you cannot raise your effort levels to previous levels, then it may be time to choose a more challenging class.0 -
Lowered heart rate does not mean that calorie burn has decreased. It means that the intensity at which you are working is now a lower percentage of your maximum--because your maximum has increased.
The HRM doesn't know the difference so it just keeps spitting out numbers based on your old level of conditioning.
If you are doing a quantifiable type of exercise (running, walking, cycling, etc), the response is simple---work harder.
If you are doing a class, then it is a little more complicated since your ability to increase your effort might be limited by the choreography of the instructor, physical coordination, etc. If you find that you cannot raise your effort levels to previous levels, then it may be time to choose a more challenging class.
Or depending on the class, add weights. Even just light hand weights can make a difference.0 -
Lowered heart rate does not mean that calorie burn has decreased. It means that the intensity at which you are working is now a lower percentage of your maximum--because your maximum has increased.
The HRM doesn't know the difference so it just keeps spitting out numbers based on your old level of conditioning.
If you are doing a quantifiable type of exercise (running, walking, cycling, etc), the response is simple---work harder.
If you are doing a class, then it is a little more complicated since your ability to increase your effort might be limited by the choreography of the instructor, physical coordination, etc. If you find that you cannot raise your effort levels to previous levels, then it may be time to choose a more challenging class.
If lowered heart doesn't mean my calorie burn has decreased, does that mean my HRM is inaccurate in calories burn? (I know there is already a certain degree of inaccuracy) I hope it isn't too off.0 -
A couple of HRMs I own have ability to change fitness level, current weight, etc. Have you adjusted yours to your current stats? I also cross reference the readings off HRM with online cals calculator and use avg on MFP.0
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I'm really glad I found this thread. My average burn for a Body Pump class has dropped in the last 6 months from about 450 cals to under 300 which had me really perplexed. (I've also been significantly increasing my weights during that time.)
Based on your responses I've decided that I am going to give myself the benefit of the doubt and put it down to being fitter. Hurrah!!
Now I just need to up the weights again!0 -
Lowered heart rate does not mean that calorie burn has decreased. It means that the intensity at which you are working is now a lower percentage of your maximum--because your maximum has increased.
The HRM doesn't know the difference so it just keeps spitting out numbers based on your old level of conditioning.
If you are doing a quantifiable type of exercise (running, walking, cycling, etc), the response is simple---work harder.
If you are doing a class, then it is a little more complicated since your ability to increase your effort might be limited by the choreography of the instructor, physical coordination, etc. If you find that you cannot raise your effort levels to previous levels, then it may be time to choose a more challenging class.
Or depending on the class, add weights. Even just light hand weights can make a difference.
It can, but you still have to exercise caution. Using hand weights can increase HR significantly with only a modest (or less) increase of oxygen uptake. In other words, HR goes up, but calorie burn doesn't as much.0 -
Fitter!0
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Lowered heart rate does not mean that calorie burn has decreased. It means that the intensity at which you are working is now a lower percentage of your maximum--because your maximum has increased.
The HRM doesn't know the difference so it just keeps spitting out numbers based on your old level of conditioning.
If you are doing a quantifiable type of exercise (running, walking, cycling, etc), the response is simple---work harder.
If you are doing a class, then it is a little more complicated since your ability to increase your effort might be limited by the choreography of the instructor, physical coordination, etc. If you find that you cannot raise your effort levels to previous levels, then it may be time to choose a more challenging class.
If lowered heart doesn't mean my calorie burn has decreased, does that mean my HRM is inaccurate in calories burn? (I know there is already a certain degree of inaccuracy) I hope it isn't too off.
It could be. You either have to redo the fitness test (if it has that feature) or manually update the VO2max (if it has that feature). Some newer Polar models appear to be using a formula I have read about that does not require VO2max to estimate calories. In that case, you would have to redo your setup information.
It you don't have any of those features, then I have no idea how the HRMs can give you updated calorie info (and I suspect those HRM manufacturers don't really care).0 -
I was just wondering the other day if, as one becomes more fit, it is necessary to redo the v02 max? Does it change as you become fitter?0
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I was just wondering the other day if, as one becomes more fit, it is necessary to redo the v02 max? Does it change as you become fitter?
Absolutely--that is an important marker. That's why the same workload you did at the beginning now seems easier. It's not that the energy cost of the exercise has decreased--that's the mistake that people make by relying solely on HRMs--it's because that energy cost now represents a lower percentage of your maximum because the maximum has increased.
The more you exercise, the more other factors are involved in increased performance, but it is not unusual to see VO2 max increase 20%-25% in the first 3-6 months.0 -
fitter. I have Polar FT40. When I first got it I was 460 lbs. and the V02 test rated me at 31 which was poor according to their scale. I been doing their test every month. The most recent fitness test I did last weekend I scored a 42 which is average.
Back then 1 hr. of just walking I was burning 1200-1400 calories according to the HRM. Now it's 600-700 for the same 1 hr.0 -
I'm really glad I found this thread. My average burn for a Body Pump class has dropped in the last 6 months from about 450 cals to under 300 which had me really perplexed. (I've also been significantly increasing my weights during that time.)
Based on your responses I've decided that I am going to give myself the benefit of the doubt and put it down to being fitter. Hurrah!!
Now I just need to up the weights again!
I did the Polar fitness test with my HRM last night to check this out some more and my resting heart rate has dropped from 60 to 52 and my VO2 max is up from 38 to 40 so I think that supports the fitness theory which is great.
The only downside is that I now have to work harder to burn calories which is a bit disappointing as I was enjoying the fact that workouts were getting easier ;o)0
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