Training & Nutrition - Heart Rate Monitor?

O.k. so I'm pretty new to this sport and I love it so far so please forgive the newbi question.
I'm just an amateur cyclist and I'm basically doing this as cross training for another sport. I've seen you guys talking alot about HRM and your avg. so I was just curious to know if this is an investment that I should look into.
Is there a brand that is better than others? Recomendations?
And how do I go about measuring what my avg. HR should be?
Thanks for the help!
:p

I'd say it's well worth the investment. as far as brands go polar seems to be the most talked about, but there are other good ones as well. you can get a basic model fairly cheap and see what you think.
first i'd do a search of the forum on heart rate monitors, and read everything Koffee Brown has to say on the subject.

Definitely get the HRM. It's a good investment if you're planning on training for any reason.

Any monitor will do if you're looking to start out. It doesn't have to be polar at all. If you want something basic, just get the cheapest model available.

Check out www.heartmonitors.com (I think thats the site). If that's not correct, go to www.heartzones.com and click on the heart rate monitors option and it will take you to the heartmonitors website directly. They have a bunch of different watches to choose from.

Performance is having a sale on HRM's. They have a basic model for 30 bucks- the dBase DB 300 HRM. Also check at walmart.com. They often have sales on their basic models. Check rei.com and make sure to check their outlet section. They sometimes have sales.

Once you have a monitor, do a check under my name for the 2X 20 Anaerobic Threshold test so you can test for your correct heart rate numbers to train with. Then come back on this site and find some good books that we've all recommended in the past that you can use for your training- I always recommend the Sally Edwards book "The Heart Rate Monitor Book". It's easy to read, and it's comprehensive in explaining the basics on training with a monitor. Then I recommend the Sally Edwards/Sally Reed book called "The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Outdoor and Indoor Cyclists" which expands on the concepts of the first book and gives you workouts based on what kind of training you want to do. It's smart training using the monitor, and you'll benefit greatly from reading those books and following those workouts given.

Good luck and report back!

Koffee

I'd have to say that there is no better way to monitor your progress. It is a great way to set personal goals and work efficiently to get to those goals. It can help you not only monitor your good efforts but also know when to take it easy and recover a little longer than you would. I've heard a lot of stories where people found out that they weren't working as hard as they could have and weren't achieving their full potential. I discovered that I had been over training and was able to work more efficiently and have seen tremendous growth in my cycling.

Great info, Koffee!!!
You guys are a great source of information.
Thanks!:D

is there a post or something i can read about why keep track of your HB is important?

Originally posted by killerasp
is there a post or something i can read about why keep track of your HB is important?


Plenty of stuff on google.

I'd recommend a Polar 710i + www.mysporttraining.com myself..