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As I have stated many times on this board, I am a big proponent of heart rate monitoring during CV exercise. Everyone knows that it is essential to make sure you are in the right zone - fat burning vs. CV performance, etc.
However, an oft-ignored benefit of monitoring your heart rate is the information it gives on overtraining or exhaustion. As we know, overtraining can be counterproductive to the goals we aspire for in the gym.
I religiously note down my heart rate, calories burned (at least what the machine tells me) and what resistance settings the machine is at during my session. What I have consistently observed is that heart rate is a very good indicator of overtraining. When I do too many sessions, or don't have enough nutrition or sleep or whatever, I exceed my 65-70% limit of max heart rate at significantly lower resistance than otherwise. I have been taking it easy in the gym last week, and this morning, could push much harder (at least 10-15% harder) while keeping the heart rate in control.
A heart rate monitor is a cheap and very effective aid and is a must have for anyone serious about the effectiveness and quality of their workouts.
However, an oft-ignored benefit of monitoring your heart rate is the information it gives on overtraining or exhaustion. As we know, overtraining can be counterproductive to the goals we aspire for in the gym.
I religiously note down my heart rate, calories burned (at least what the machine tells me) and what resistance settings the machine is at during my session. What I have consistently observed is that heart rate is a very good indicator of overtraining. When I do too many sessions, or don't have enough nutrition or sleep or whatever, I exceed my 65-70% limit of max heart rate at significantly lower resistance than otherwise. I have been taking it easy in the gym last week, and this morning, could push much harder (at least 10-15% harder) while keeping the heart rate in control.
A heart rate monitor is a cheap and very effective aid and is a must have for anyone serious about the effectiveness and quality of their workouts.
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