I don't know what can be done do come up with meaningful advice regarding heart rate monitors and training. There are so many misconceptions and contradictory perspectives that picking which ideas to use amongst all the chatter is indeed a crap shoot.

One or two things will always stand out as "aaaz-backward."

1. The idea of a "new user" trying to determine max heart rate by exercising at the "start" of a fitness routine is just plain dumb - and maybe even dangerous.

2. Absolute ignorance of the idea of recording and developing a personal "library" of heart rate readings across several dozen workouts which would serve as the basis to formulate possible heart rate goals for certain targeted workouts.

In other words, did anyone say just go out and use the monitor, write down results for a couple of weeks and then go figure out what you think your "zones" are?

Your heart rate monitor is only as valuable as your heart-rate/workout-results history.