Training with HR?
 

How many of you do it, and what do you do it for?

I am always in training, for no particular reason. I am so slow I don't even know why I bother.

What do you mean? Training with an HR monitor just for the heck of it so you know what your HR is, or HR-based training?

Iwkmattkyt

First it was speedometers, then cadence sensors, then HRMs, then power meters. Congratulations, you're on your way to better riding. My biggest suggestion would be a visit to local gyms, to see which ones can provide a metabolic assessment profile (MAP) test. This will allow you to determine YOUR heart rate zones, so the numbers on your HRM can have personalized meaning. I've done this several times, and have programmed my Garmin with my zone splits. Now, it shows me HR as a zoned number, i.e. 1.4, 2.1, 3.7 (the decimal is an approximation of where my HR is within the zone boundaries). I find this incredibly useful for managing my effort and training (along with all of the power meter goodies we have on our tandem...).

My goodness. When I ride I just try to hit the no zone, and all is good.

I found training with a hr monitor to be incredibly useful. I know my max hr, and I try to mix my rides and aim to hit the target zone. I have a few work-outs that I use, some for endurance, some for fat burning, and some for power/sprint. Even though I have a powertap aso, I use th hr monitor more. It's true, you ride slw to ride fast, if you can manage yourself and stay in the target zones.

K should be a b there, I think.

I stand corrected.

Pcad? Dat you?

I use it, and it was really cool at first, but my stats are remarkably consistent. I do not race. It has lost its appeal for me, but plenty of others like it.

I use one. It's a great tool for training, and it works well especially when on hills. I know that if I am at 173 bpm, I am about to max out and better not push further as I cannot sustain above that level. I cannot reach that range on the flats though, not sure why that is. I disagree with the notion to ride slow to go fast. I train hard in the limited time I have, and when I manage to ride with others I am always in the lead group. Going slow does not help my fitness level, and I am not concerned with the amount of fat calories I burn. I suppose if you ride everyday then recovery rides would be essential, but that is not my case. Not to mention, I mentally can't go slow.