Training & Nutrition - So Anyone Else Using a Heart Monitor?

Just started using a heart monitor, wondered who else is and what kind of readings. Mine has run up to 168 on a steep climb but noticed it comes down to 100 after about a minute or so.

I use a HRM for my rides. I've been tested, and I also do self tests for my anaerobic threshold so I can train more accurately. So I pretty much am staying within a specific range, since I'm working to shave off bodyfat.

Koffee

everyone's hr responses are different. for one thing, the actual absolute value of the hr isn't as important as the percentage of maximum. i mean, how much of you max is 168 and 100? the other thing is that everyone has a different anaerobic threshold [the point where you really start hurting] and base level. this has some to do with fitness and some to do with genetics and physiology.

so... today, i led an easy group ride, but did a hell of a lot of work riding up and down and keeping it together and even gota couple of attacks and sprints in. my average was 67% [126 bpm] and my peak was 87% [162], which was just below my usual at.

I use an HRM when I'm on the trainer but since I don't really ride to train as much as I do for enjoyment (being on the trainer is not really enjoyment), I tend to not bother with the HRM for when I'm out on the road or trails. Every once in a while, I'll wear the HRM when I'm out for a ride but that usually just because I'm curious more than for anything else.

If i'm riding with others I won't bother taking it, but on my own and on a training ride I will sometimes take it to remind myself to push harder and not slack off whilst looking at the view. I always use it on trainers as its the only way to accurately tell me how hard i'm working and very useful for doing intervals work. It's good for making sure that I recover on recovery rides too.

As velocipidio says HR's are personal. What's good for me may not be good for you. My max is 217, for long rides I'll ride in the 160-170 zone, for lactate threshold work I go up to 180-190 and for maximum intensity work I'll push it all the way up past 200 and for recovery rides i'll ride in 120-140.

A generic formula that people quote is that your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age, but this is really only a rough guide, it can be very different from that.

Since I am grounded to my trainer due to an injury, I need to get my HRM out.. Now, I can climb up steep grades and not go over 170. Early on freaked out on a steep grade when it hit 190 plus. Felt really dizzy then. proud now I can do same grade in 160's.
Since for probably next month or so, I am trapped to my trainer- I must use the heart rate monitor to keep my pace up, so I am getting a real workout. just do not feel a trainer is equivilant to the exercise of a really steep grade. So the HRM need set my pace for now.
My question- the anaerobic threshold, that is when your start consuming protein and suffer an oxygen defecit, right? Anyway is there a significant chance that the aerobic threshold approximates the 80% plus side, of maxamium pulse?

Not sure if I understand the question, so if the answer doesn't make sense, that's why.

Anyhow, like velocipedio says, everyone's hr responses are different. That includes anaerobic threshold. But 80% is probably close enough to get the job done. AT responds to training, and will increase.

Koffee has described some tests you can do to get a pretty good estimate of your AT (aka lactate threshold) in the Training and Nutrition forum.

Now, my question. Is consuming protein necessarily part of going anaerobic?

ClevelandGuy: I have been messing with them lately. I've tried the following monitors:

Vetta bike computer with HRM - shows current and average HR for the ride. Very simple to use.

Sigma PC-1600. I found it difficult to navigate. Press this button to access the function then this one to get to that function, etc. Sold it on Ebay the other day.

Polar M21. I haven't used this one much my wife Donna is checking it out. It seems pretty good so far.

I'm currently using the Performance Axiom 600. It's pretty nice though for some reason I keep deleting the average and max HR settings before I can log them :( I especially like that this HRM shows what percentage of your max the current HR is. I know at a glance if I need to pick up the pace or need to cut back a bit.

If I could find a cycle computer that had cadence and HRM I'd probably use one of those instead of a separate HRM and computer.

One quick word of caution. Don't become a slave to the HRM. Use it as a tool and don't let it rule your entire ride.

Zack

If I could find a cycle computer that had cadence and HRM I'd probably use one of those instead of a separate HRM and computer.

the CicloMaster Hac4 Plus has bike functions, HR monitor, cadence and altimeter functions. (the plus comes with cadence or you can buy it as an add-on to the normal HAC4) and an optional computer connection to download all the data and vie on graphs and charts. i love mine. but its somewhere between $180 and $300... i can't remember how much for what (plus it's a german company so maybe more expensive in the US)

nathank: Thanks for the info. Yesterday while surfing Ebay I found a brand new Cateye MSC-3DX with a buy it now price of $115.00 so I snatched it up. Performance sells them for $175. Now I need to find the computer interface so I can download the workout info.

Zack

I am a slave to my HRM on my training rides ( 5 days a week), but when I race or just cruise the city on an easy day I still have it but do not look at it while I ride. I just let it record the data then download it when I get home.

I find it most useful on:

- Keeping below my AT when I climb on endurance days.
- Making sure I get my HR high enough and stay there during intervals.
- Staying within a range on speed days.

My question- the anaerobic threshold, that is when your start consuming protein and suffer an oxygen defecit, right?

as far as i know protein has nothing to do with AT.

the term "oxygen deficit" is pretty confusing i think.

well, the more scientific definition of the AT/LT is when your blood concentration of lactic acid exceeds a certain threshold (usually 4mmoles but anything from 3 to 5 can be used). (note, some people make a disctintion between LT and AT but they are about the same as far as i know and are just different leves for the same basic threshold) it roughly corresponds to the threshold where your body process goes from aerobic to an-aerobic, but this process is gradual (i.e. a 5 beats below your AT you still have a high component of "anerobic" and on the high side, as long as you are breathing your body is not completely aneorobic).

basically, the threshold is the level above which the body cannot sustain itself provided all the other stuff is there (food, oxygen, water, nutrients, etc). above this level, the body cannot get rid of byproducts like lactic acid quickly enough and/or reserves are depleted faster than they can be regenerated. and in pracitce this is very true. provided i eat and drink and use some mineral supplemants i can ride for hours on end (at least 7 hours as in my race a week ago) as long as i don't spend too much time over the AT. if i spend more than 45 minutes over my AT i am totally drained and weak. for me a ride with more than 20 minutes over AT is a hard ride where i will probably need recovery.


Anyway is there a significant chance that the aerobic threshold approximates the 80% plus side, of maxamium pulse?

approximately yes. the more fit you are the greater a percentage of your max it is --- my max is 194, my LT 165, so 85% of my max. i think many pro cyclists have LTs in the 85-90% of max range.

search old posts. both Koffe and i have posted about how to determine your LT without paying for a lab test.

I use mine similarly to captsven. It's also good to gauge relative fitness by how quickly it drops when you slow or stop. I've never had my AT tested but I think I know it pretty well by where it starts hurting.

I started using one a few months ago. If I remember correctlly, I hit a max of 192 and usually average around 150-155 on a 50-mile ride. I can really tell a difference on an "off" day, or the opposite. I don't really follow it as close as some. I use it more of a self-experiment than as I probably should...a real training tool

Do to hypertension, weight and age, both my husband and I use monitors.
We find them fascinating, and useful, if they get too high, we slow down. As a tandem team, it is important to be honest about how we are doing when riding, and the monitors keep us honest.

we have also found that we recover at different rates.

Watch the high power wires though, they can cause interference.

I wear a Polar Protrainer XT, I try to keep my HR below 120. I think they are very beneficial. Helps me to keep my HR in check

When I bike indoors, I try to use the one I have. Not outside though, too distracting.