Heartrate Monitors

[Cat]

I recently recieved a Polar Heartrate Monitor as a gift. I have set up the program with all the info requested: age(48),weight(145),height(5'5"),average activity level(moderate/high), and weight goal(130lbs) and sex(yes) he he (female)
Now, the program has set my target range at 103-129. For me to try and keep my range at 129(an annoying alarm sound if my heartrate goes above that) I have to be walking awfully slow, compared to my usually brisk pace. I want to find a good fat burning range, but somehow this seems far to docile for me. I am in very good shape as a matter of fact I am training to do the 60K Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk here in Montreal, so it is not like I am a beginner. I lift weights, do Pilates, and walk. (used to run, but it is too hard on the knees now)I basically just want to lose the d@mn menopausal weight that I have gained. Can anyone help me!!!

[canuckguy]

Cat, that range seems awfully low to me.

I'm the same age as you, about 40% heavier, and male (although I would answer YES too). My target range is 114 - 147 bpm. Your range may have come out lower if you said your goal was to lose fat rather than cardiovascular fitness. I think Polar still subscribes to the theory that maximal fat burning is at 60 - 65% of theoretical maximum HR.

A couple of things I can suggest.

First, you should be able to turn off the alarm, so it doesn't beep when you are outside your training range. I can't remember how to do it on mine offhand, but I'm sure it's in the manual.

Second, I believe you can set your own custom target range, rather than the one set by the monitor. Again, I'd have to check the manual to tell you how to do it. Also, you might be able to change your goal from fat loss to CV, thereby increasing your upper and lower limits.

Good luck with that, and in achieving your goals. A couple of the women I work with did the Weekend Walk in Toronto last year, and said that it was an overwhelmingly positive experience.

[Cat]

Thanks Canuckguy,
I will definitely turn the d@nm alarm off and try reprograming. I really just hate to think I won't use this wonderful(and expensive) gift just because I can't seem to Get With The Program.

[FlyinM]

Cat, there are a few schools of thought on what your training rate should be. I agree with canuckguy, yours seems to be lower than I would expect. I Googled it a few years ago and read a bunch of different opinions. After researching it, I calculated what I thought mine should be, and manually programed my HRM to reflect the upper and lower numbers. Just a thought....

[Cat]

I figured out how to set it manually to 122-149 bpm, which I think should be a more accurate range. Thanks for the input.
Now I just have to figure out how to enter my daily calorie intake.