My heart rate monitor is bad at maths!! HELP!! + Exercise question

[Raupe]

Thanks for your advice MG!! No dizziness or tingling, chest isn't hurting either. It's a bit harder to breathe and my lungs are burning somewhat, but I put that down to being unfit I'm just going to keep the exercise the way it is now. Thanks so much!

Hehe, thanks appletree! Stalker!

[ladybird11]

Heya Raupe!

Yep - 196 is your top BPM.

What brand is it the monitor? Most have a + / - 20% accuracy - but you can always double check by taking your HR the 'old skool' way (finding pulse on your neck or wrist with your index finger. Make the first count 'zero' and count each beat from zero. At the end of 15 secs, double the number, and double THAT number - and there is your result).

Depends on how intense you want to work, and what you're training for. If you're wanting weight loss - work anywhere upwards of 60% of your maximum HR. If you stick to the 60% - 85% range you're in the 'fat loss zone'; 85% + range and welcome to the 'fitness training zone'.

To work that % out, here is an example:
80% of your max HR - 80/100 x 196 = 157 BPM (rounded up)

If you have a Polar HR you can set it to alarm if you want to keep under a certain % as MG said. I personally never set the alarm as I just worked sooo hard to lose those kg's that I looked forward to the surprise myself with the results of my training session - best motivation ever!

You can set some HRM's with your age, height, weight and your self assessed fitness level which can alter the number you see on the watch too - if you have a HRM that doesn't have that ability then just use the number as a guide and don't be too concerned in the event you see 99% pop up repeatedly.

FWIW, a good indication of fitness is your recovery time e.g. if you start out taking 5 mins to recover from a 5 min activity in week one; but then the following week it only takes you 3 mins to recover from that same 5 min exercise - you're getting fitter sista!!!! !

[Raupe]

Thanks Leesa!!

That info was really helpful! Yep, you can't change the age, so I will just ignore the percentage display and just go by the BPM.
Off to exercise... Lol