But if you're doing a long cardio workout exceeding 2 hours, you may want to start adjusting the numbers a bit downward. A fake deficit helps no one after all!
I decided what I'm going to do is to use the HR reading for weights, but for biking, I'm going to use 40 calories per mile. That way, if I go faster or slower, the figure will automatically adjust. This is substantially lower than the HR reading. For example, the HR monitor came in at 2,664 calories for today's ride, but I'm only recording 40 x 41.2 miles, or 1,648 calories.
Yes I agree with the 'thinking you're working too hard' comment. I think I definitely am afraid to really get my heartrate pumping sometimes, like when my heart starts to really hammer, I get a little terrified and cool it off, when probably that's where I should be, to get the most out of the workout. I think I'll ask for it for my bday so I don't have to spend the $ right now.
Unless you have heart problems, there's notthing at all wrong with pushing yourself to 95% of max HR. You don't really have to worry about staying there too long. . . within 30 seconds or so at that rate, your muscles will fill with lactic acid, and you'll have to slow down.
I only wear my HR for exercise.
I on the other hand swing my arms bent, to about chest high and back, and really work them....so am I in fact burning more than the machine calculates? I think so...so I just use the number the machine gives me and go with it
Beth, I find the machines typically overstate calories expended by around 20%, at least for me. However, when I do HIIT/Interval cardio, the machines understate calories by around 15%. The machines use an algorithm that doesn't take into account your heart rate, and that's what makes them so inaccurate.
Those arm band monitors sound great. (Not that I will be getting one soon, or needing it for the mild, erratic exercise I've been doing lately!)
I hope you enjoy your weekend ride.
Hi Felici. Actually, the only HR monitors that really work are the ones that use a strap around your chest. The other kinds are fairly erratic.
keep it up tom!!! i wanna see these summer results soon
LOL, I'm hoping Round 6 will be over in about 2 weeks, right in time for my 59th birthday.
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Exercise Log
Today was Weights 3 day - upper body:
View attachment 3852
Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 312
This was a tough workout for some reason, I guess because all the weights went up by 10 pounds. Even though it was only 25 minutes, I was tired at the end.
After that, I decided to go on a bike ride. One of my goals has been to get up Torrey Pines Road without stopping. This is about a 2.5 mile long hill, and on a bent, it's no picnic. I really expected I'd have to give up about half way.
However, I made it all the way to the top! Of course, everyone passed me, including a guy on skates! That's one of the things about bents -- they're no speed demons on the hills. But sometimes it's nice to slow down a bit. After all, I'm no Lance Armstrong, and I never will be. What's wrong with just enjoying the ride, without having to race every other biker?
Even though this ride was only half as long as last week's ride, it seemed just as hard, I guess because of the big climb. I went 41.2 miles in 3 hours and 26 minutes. My max HR was 149 (88% of max), and my average HR was a low 119 (70% of max). I think part of the reason I got so tired was that it was hot out today, and I was going up that hill in the middle of the day in the blazing sun.
I had almost 2,00 calories from exercise today, so I don't think there's any doubt I'll have a pretty hefty deficit.
