Heart rate training is a valuable tool for both athletes and those looking to improve their health. It helps you optimise your workouts and recovery, by converting heart rate metrics into easy-to-understand heart rate zones that are different for everyone.
Heart rate zones are based on the maximum heart rate (MHR) which is the highest number of beats per minute your heart can pump under maximum stress. Myzone calculates MHR by the HUNT formula 211 - (0.64 x your age).
Heart rate zones are then created, personal to you, via percentages of this maximum number. Here's how they break down:
Read more on heart rate zones here.
As heart rate training is based on your personal demographics; age, gender, and maximum heart rate, you can be certain the training plan is suitable for you. No more double-checking or guessing your speed, distance, or weight. Meaning every workout is efficient and effective.
Heart rate training is a great way to make sure that you are working hard enough, or not overdoing it during your workout. It allows you to easily adjust the intensity of a session so that you can get the most out of it. This means less time wasted, so more time spent training effectively.
For example, if you're in a low-intensity part of your routine as you're recovering from illness, or perhaps increasing training distances, you know to stay within heart rate zone one or two. Conversely, if performing HIIT you know that during the 'work phase' you should be hitting zone four or five.
Heart rate training is an excellent way to improve your fitness and performance.
The most obvious overall benefit of heart rate training is that it helps you build endurance. By monitoring your heart rate and keeping it within a specific range, you can gradually increase how long you can exercise before fatigue sets in.
This also has benefits for cardiovascular health, as continuously pushing yourself at an intense level will strengthen the muscles in your heart and lungs so that they're better able to pump blood through them more effectively.
Overall, heart rate training is a valuable tool for recovery. It helps you determine if your current level of activity is appropriate for your conditioning and fitness level. Heart rate training also gives athletes a way to measure their progress over time as they work towards achieving their goals.
Learn more about Myzone's MEPs and the heart rate zones.