Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Heart rate monitors Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2006-09-18 2:17 PM

User image

Master
1914
1000500100100100100
Finally north of the Mason-Dixon Line
Subject: Heart rate monitors
I started a beginning spinning class and it seems that this is an essential piece of equipment to have when one spins. I'm looking at "Polar F4 heart rate monitor with non-coded chest transmitter" - found one for 79.95 with free shipping- this is the brand reccommended by instructor/YMCA. I have absolutely NO CLUE as what a non-coded chest monitor is? Obviously something that goes around your chest - but how it works/transmits i am clueless. the heart rate monitor class is this Wednesday but she covered it last week when baby had strep throat and i wasn't there but everyone went out over the weekend and purchased one.

My main reason for doing spinning is to loose weight. What's your take on the necessity on having a HRM and/or Any other brands you'd recommend?

thanks,
Cathleen

Edited by houston-tri-mamma 2006-09-18 2:21 PM


2006-09-18 2:53 PM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors

An uncoded HRM strap is basically a strap that goes around your chest and reads your HR.  The uncoded part means that almost any HRM reader (probably installed on the spin bike) will read it.  A coded one limits the amount of cross talk between HRM made by the same company in an small area. 

Ie, when I run with my Training partner, sometimes we have to run about 3-4 feet apart because our HR Monitors are on the same frequency and they interfer with each other.

If you know your zones, then you need a HR monitor so that you can see where you are in regards to your Lactate Threshold.  IMHO, if you are just starting out, then you might not need it.

NOTE:  The instructor might be using HR zones to tell you what resistance to put your bike on.  So it might just be part of her teaching style.

I hope I didn't confuse you.  And for basic functions, a HRM is a HRM.  $80 is a lot to pay for a HRM if you're only going to use it for the basics.  You can get them MUCH cheaper than that.  Like $30.

2006-09-18 2:54 PM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Expert
634
50010025
Toronto
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
I would certainly recommend a Polar heart rate monitor. I've had two and never had any issues with them.

Do you need one for spinning class? No. You can use RPE (rate of perceive exhertion) or just take your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. With that said, if you are going to be training for tris/dus, then a HRM will be a great piece of gear for you to have because it will help you to make sure that you're training in the right zone and therefore getting the most out of each workout. But again, do you NEED it, no, but it's handy.

As for coded vs. non-coded, coded transmiter/receivers are a really great thing to have if you are going to be using your HRM next to others who are wearing an HRM, such as in spinning class or when running beside others on a treadmill. Basically, with a non-coded unit, your monitor could pick up the HR from your neight door neighbour's HR monitor who is spinning beside you. Coded units don't have this problem and your HR monitor will only pick up your HR and no one elses. Is it worth it? Well, that's for you to decided based on cost.

Hope this helps.
2006-09-18 3:14 PM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Pro
3883
20001000500100100100252525
Woodstock,GA
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
You can pick up a Polar S150 for $79.95 from Performance Bike. It has all the HR functions and bike functions so you can use it on the open road also. I highly recommend Polar products.
2006-09-19 10:08 AM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Extreme Veteran
363
1001001002525
Georgia
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
I got certified to teach spinning recently and heart rate training is a big part of their philosophy.  I never used one before but I bought a 50$ polar and I use it all the time now.  RPE can be so vague.  Some people get so used to pushing themselves too hard or not hard enough and have no idea if what they are feeling is a 5 or an 8.  Some people are better at reading their bodies, but I really like the monitor.
2006-09-19 10:12 AM
in reply to: #544787

User image

The Original
7834
5000200050010010010025
Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors

My question is- do the instructors encourage the people attending spin class to do the LT testing to figure out what their HR zones are?  You can have a HR monitor and get all the HR numbers you want but without the testing it's not very helpful.

For example.  My experience in spin class is that the instructors tell you where you HR should be.  But... that HR could be in a different zone for each person.  So if they tell you to be around 160 (just throwing a number out there), that could be zone 3 for some people, maybe zone 4 for others whereas 160 might only be Z2 or even Z1 for others.  So in my opinion, HR monitors aren't fully serving their purpose for spin classes if you don't know what those numbers mean. 



Edited by runnergirl29 2006-09-19 10:14 AM


2006-09-19 10:51 AM
in reply to: #545612

User image

Extreme Veteran
363
1001001002525
Georgia
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
runnergirl29 - 2006-09-19 11:12 AM

My question is- do the instructors encourage the people attending spin class to do the LT testing to figure out what their HR zones are?  You can have a HR monitor and get all the HR numbers you want but without the testing it's not very helpful.

For example.  My experience in spin class is that the instructors tell you where you HR should be.  But... that HR could be in a different zone for each person.  So if they tell you to be around 160 (just throwing a number out there), that could be zone 3 for some people, maybe zone 4 for others whereas 160 might only be Z2 or even Z1 for others.  So in my opinion, HR monitors aren't fully serving their purpose for spin classes if you don't know what those numbers mean. 

Truthfully, they go by the 220-your age thing wich we all know is not very accurate, but probably more accurate than RPE.  Also, if someone goes through the trouble of getting a moniter, they would be more prone to do a lt test.  But even if they didn't, if it was only used for a spin class you could get a feel for what your numbers looked like when you are pushing hard/going easy. 
2006-09-19 11:00 AM
in reply to: #545675

User image

Champion
8936
50002000100050010010010010025
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors

It's being very generous to say that 220-age is not very accurate. 

I still don't get how an arbitrary HR number is more "accurate" than RPE.  Sure, if your HR is 200, you're more then likely going too hard, and the opposite is true if it's 80.  It's that huge middle ground that spans most of the zones for various people that's the issue. 

RPE's not that bad.  Lots of folks train with that alone and do just fine.

katiefrog15 - 2006-09-19 10:51 AM Truthfully, they go by the 220-your age thing wich we all know is not very accurate, but probably more accurate than RPE.  Also, if someone goes through the trouble of getting a moniter, they would be more prone to do a lt test.  But even if they didn't, if it was only used for a spin class you could get a feel for what your numbers looked like when you are pushing hard/going easy. 

2006-09-19 11:15 AM
in reply to: #545675

User image

Runner
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
katiefrog15 - 2006-09-19 11:51 AM
Truthfully, they go by the 220-your age thing wich we all know is not very accurate, but probably more accurate than RPE. Also, if someone goes through the trouble of getting a moniter, they would be more prone to do a lt test. But even if they didn't, if it was only used for a spin class you could get a feel for what your numbers looked like when you are pushing hard/going easy.


Yeah, if it's only going to be used for a spin class, and not used properly, I'd go with RPE. As Derek said, lots of people use RPE, including world-class athletes. I use RPE, I have never used a HRM. If you're only gonna use it in spin class, save your money.
2006-09-19 12:07 PM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Extreme Veteran
363
1001001002525
Georgia
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
I agree for most people RPE is fine.  I'm just saying I bought my moniter because I needed it for Spin class and now I use it all the time and find it more effective (again for me personally) than RPE alone.
2006-09-19 2:42 PM
in reply to: #545697

User image

The Original
7834
5000200050010010010025
Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors

Scout7 - 2006-09-19 12:15 PM
katiefrog15 - 2006-09-19 11:51 AM Truthfully, they go by the 220-your age thing wich we all know is not very accurate, but probably more accurate than RPE. Also, if someone goes through the trouble of getting a moniter, they would be more prone to do a lt test. But even if they didn't, if it was only used for a spin class you could get a feel for what your numbers looked like when you are pushing hard/going easy.
Yeah, if it's only going to be used for a spin class, and not used properly, I'd go with RPE. As Derek said, lots of people use RPE, including world-class athletes. I use RPE, I have never used a HRM. If you're only gonna use it in spin class, save your money.

I agree- I'm just surprised that spin instructors are encouraged to use the 220-age.  I mean, since that's not accurate people could end up getting just as overworked/hurt.   So why encourage people to buy HR monitors for spin class if they're not going to determine their LT?  That's just a waste of money if you ask me.  It would be better to save your money and go with RPE.   Just my opinion though.  Now if you're going to use your HR monitor for running, biking outside of spin class I'd say buy one!



2006-09-19 3:16 PM
in reply to: #545985

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
runnergirl29 - 2006-09-19 3:42 PM

I'm just surprised that spin instructors are encouraged to use the 220-age.  I mean, since that's not accurate people could end up getting just as overworked/hurt.   

Probably a similar reason to why its pushed so fiercly in schools.

2006-09-20 1:45 PM
in reply to: #544787

User image

Master
1914
1000500100100100100
Finally north of the Mason-Dixon Line
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
Thanks for your input everyone. i appreciated it. I had the HRM class today and basically the points for having one were:

With a HRM you can:
recovery zone
endurance zone
fat burning zone
interval train
race day train

and the benfits of knowing what zone you are 1) training infor the day and 2) know how you are doing while you train.

Obvious all the things you folks told me.

As one who needs to 1) get heart smart and in the process of doing that 2) loose weight I went ahead and purchased one from the YMCA - a F5 for $74 (cost to the Y). I feel like it's a good purchase for what I need to accomplish to get healthy...

Thanks again for everyone's insight. Oh, I should say that the instructor doesn't like the 220-age to determin HR... I meet with her again later this week to set up HRM and get better functional understanding of the piece - in meantime I have to do my resting HR for 3 days.
2006-09-20 5:38 PM
in reply to: #546019

User image

Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors
jknapman - 2006-09-19 3:16 PM
runnergirl29 - 2006-09-19 3:42 PM

I'm just surprised that spin instructors are encouraged to use the 220-age. I mean, since that's not accurate people could end up getting just as overworked/hurt.

Probably a similar reason to why its pushed so fiercly in schools.

That logic doesn't compute.  There are some whose HR zones figured using 220-age would be far too low and others who'd blow up very quickly using the same.  Bottom line is that its a piece of crap... 

2006-09-20 8:03 PM
in reply to: #547290

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Heart rate monitors

Matchman - 2006-09-20 6:38 PM   Bottom line is that its a piece of crap... 

Yep.

New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Heart rate monitors Rss Feed