Using a Heart Rate Monitor
If you want to get more exact with your precision cardio, you can use a heart rate monitor in addition to evaluating your rate of perceived exertion. The heart rate monitor will tell you exactly what your heart rate is as you're exercising, which means you can then increase or decrease your intensity to get a precise workout.
Monitors are available at sporting goods stores, some department stores and online from Amazon.
First, you'll need to figure out the heart rate range that you should be working at. The best way to do this is to get tested by an exercise physiologist. If you don't want to do that, you can get a pretty good estimate by calculating your maximum heart rate and then calculating certain percentages of this rate to work at for your warm up and cool down, your moderate pace, and your interval pace.
This will be a good starting point, though keep in mind that this calculation is based on the "average" person - something that none of us is!
To estimate your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 226. (Men would subtract their age from 220).
226 - your age = age-adjusted maximum heart rate.
Now, take your age-adjusted maximum heart rate and calculate the following percentages for the various parts of your workout.
- 60 percent for your warmup and cooldown
- 65 to 75 percent for your moderate pace
- 75 to 85 percent for your vigorous or interval pace
For instance, a 40-year-old woman's estimated maximum heart rate is 186 (226 - 40 = 186).
- 60 percent of her max = 112
- 65 percent of her max = 121
- 75 percent of her max = 140
- 85 percent of her max = 158
Keep in mind, however, that this calculation can be off by as much as 15 beats, so use the rate of perceived exertion as well. Also take into account that your heart rate can vary depending on which activity you choose.
Different activities use different skills and muscle groups, so an experienced swimmer will have a lower heart rate swimming than she does when running. Keep that in mind as you vary your cardio choices.
Also, some exercises that you do while sitting down, like riding a recumbent bicycle, won't get your heart rate as high as those that you do while standing, such as walking hills outside.
So use your heart rate monitor and evaluate your rate of perceived exertion, but also learn to listen to your body.
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