Heart rate monitor Q: Do you include the cool down phase?

LibLiu82
LibLiu82 Posts: 17
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I use a heart rate monitor when I exercise and I generally start it up before my warm up (because I'm moving) but then I turn it off just as soon as I finish my workout. But should I keep it running while I am cooling down and stretching? I forgot to turn it off once during my cool down and it still racked up extra calories burned, but is that cheating or not? I mean, I wasn't really moving much, so was I really burning calories still? Thoughts?

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I start mine as soon as I start the warm up, and stop it when I'm through the cool down. To me, the cool down is still part of the workout.
  • gregavila
    gregavila Posts: 723 Member
    I include the time and stop it when my hr drops out of zone 1.
  • 2fit4fat
    2fit4fat Posts: 559 Member
    I start before warm up and stop before cool down. :-)
  • ruby_red_rose
    ruby_red_rose Posts: 321 Member
    I include both warm up and cool down in it because I think both are important parts of my workout.
  • AngelikaLumiere
    AngelikaLumiere Posts: 862 Member
    It is easier for me to remember to start it when I start and end it when I end, so I include warm up and cool down. My HRM has the ability to pause if I want, so if the phone rings or something else comes up I pause so that those calories don't count.
  • bonnt
    bonnt Posts: 171 Member
    I start it before warm up, and stop it when my heart rate is down below my target zone or after the cool down.
  • How do you know when your cool down is over if you don't monitor your hr? For me, cool down is not over until your hr has dropped bellow your "fat burn" rate.

    Also, why does it matter? :) Are you worried you might lose weight faster if you do not count your cool down calories? In 5 mins of cool-down you probably burn enough to eat an extra carrot. j/k

    Best of luck
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