Heart Rate Monitor

Hey all ! I saw today that there are heart rate monitors on sale in Lidl this coming Monday, 2nd March. €19.99 (bargain!)
I would really advise you to get one if you are a regular exerciser, or if you intend to become one !

It is recommended that you workout at 60-80% of your maximum heart rate. To calculate your maximum heart rate, this is 220 minus your age.
Once you have your target heart zones calculated, with the heart rate monitor watch, you can keep an eye on your heart rate and make sure you are working hard enough !

This is great motivation to get you going and keep you going. Also, if you have any heart issues, it stops you going into the danger zone.

Did you know that the body draws on two fuel types when exercising, carbs and fat. Science has shown that working at lower intensity draws on more fat reserves, whereas when you are working at a higher intensity, the body uses more carbs, as these are turned to energy at a faster rate.
If you want to burn fat, longer periods of low intensity work is recommended, i.e. More than 20 minutes of low intensity. This is why walking is such a great fat burner.

I hear you ask the question then, why bother pushing yourself hard then and why bother suffering through high intensity workouts ?? Well, did you ever hear of  EPOC? This is basically the calories you burn after a high intensity workout whilst your heart rate is returning to normal. So, it means that you are still burning calories even after you stop your high intensity workout.

So, which do you do then if you want to burn fat ? Low intensity or high? Do both ! That is why interval training is so popular now, you are drawing on more fat reserves for lower intensity, and switching to more carb sources for higher intensity, along with getting the extra EPOC calories. Also, higher intensity is great for increasing your fitness levels. Win, win !!

Hope you found that informative, bye for now !

P.s.

The watch in Lidl also tells you what calories you have worked off, fat burnt and fitness level. I don't know how accurate they are but I know where I'm headed to Monday morning !