Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Cadence or MPH
I recently replied to this thread on the Training and Nutrition Forum, “Doing more with less? (time-strapped cyclist),”
So I think the common thread is how hard you want to push your self. IMO heart rate monitors and power meters, while providing an objective measure require striving, or falling short of the goal. For me, RPE encourages me to push myself to my satisfaction as I may feel on a given day…no disappointment. I monitor my progress by my sense of well-being, my resting heart rate. and average MPH and cadence over my usual routes. This is my second year (year-round) of compliance.
There is no "disappointment" with a heart rate monitor.
A heart rate monitor is a tool to help measure the intensity of a workout. That's all.
Relative Perceived Exertion may work to your satisfaction but it will never be as accurate as a heart rate monitor to gauge theintensity of any given workout.
Having said that, resting heart rate is a very good indication of overall fitness and of recovery from any given exercise.
-Tim-