Wearing a heart rate monitor while cycling is a good way to ensure you're getting the best possible workout from your cycling routine. The monitor actively tracks and informs you of when you are not meeting or are exceeding the range set for your target heart rate. This helps you to adjust your program to improve your endurance, strength, power, and timing. Heart rate monitors are relatively inexpensive and can help you keep your heart rate within that target range and cycle at peak performance.
Step 1
Put the heart rate monitor on. Use a monitor that will track your heart rate continuously.
Step 2
Determine your target heart rate. The American Heart Association recommends that a target heart rate should be around 220, minus your age. Some heart rate monitors will determine your target heart rate by allowing you to enter your age into the unit. It will then calculate your target rate.
Step 3
Determine the upper and lower limits of your target heart rate and enter them into the heart rate monitor. When you activate the monitor, it will usually beep to indicate when you are above or below that range.
Step 4
Determine the cycling training program you will use and start training with the monitor actively tracking your heart rate.
Step 5
Check your heart rate at different stages in your cycling routine. If the heart rate monitor indicates that you are below your target heart rate, increase your intensity. If you are above your target heart rate, reduce your activity until you regain your target rate.
Step 6
Use your heart rate monitor to determine where in your cycling routine you can make adjustments to increase or decrease your activity level and alter your routine accordingly so that you are cycling at optimal efficiency and power.
Tips and Warnings
- Buy a good quality monitor. Choose from models that can be worn around the chest or on the wrist or arm that will measure your heart rate continuously.
Member Comments