Heart Rate

[JoshP38]

 My HR runs a little high, when I am running anyway, I had been running with a chest strap monitor and trying to stay in the cardio zone, just crawling along between 4.5 and 5 mph. I am 38 so I'm trying to stay under 154 bpm and preferably in the 140's. Is it worth figuring out my max hr and working off that. I question the accuracy of the FitBit as an HR monitor especially as I have been out there recently just using that and I think my long sleeves have been messing with it. Just walking sometimes and getting readings of 157 or so not feeling stressed at all. I went for a run this morning without my chest monitor just the FitBit, thought I was taking it easy, it said 184 at one point I felt like I was taking it easy not straining at all and passed it off as my sleeves rubbing against it. I guess I was going a little faster than I would have if I had been watching my HR, about 6 mph over 5 miles but then again I didn't have the GPS on so I'm not sure. Is it worth being a stickler about HR zones, or finding my Max HR, or just keep a comfortable pace?

P.S. I can get my HR to 206 or so perhaps I should try to keep it under 175? Thoughts about using that model

Versus going low and slow and building up cardio. The reason I started using the HR monitor is that I have IBS and would get bad cramps when I'd overdo it 

[JoshP38]

P.S. I can get my HR to 206 or so perhaps I should try to keep it under 175? Thoughts about using that model

Versus going low and slow and building up cardio. The reason I started using the HR monitor is that I have IBS and would get bad cramps when I'd overdo it 

[emili]

As far as the accuracy of your HR readings- it is hard to say. For some there is never a false reading and for others there are spikes that don't make sense. It could depend on the placement on the wrist, tightness of the band, sweat any number of things. If you are mostly concerned about HR than maybe stay with the chest strap. I trust the HR readings I get on my Ionic with the awareness that once in awhile it could be off by several beats.

I am not sure though about the rest of your question. For a good cardio workout, why would you want to keep your HR low? When I run, I expect to see my HR in cardio or peak for about 90% of my run. I am breathing fine, no fatigue, I can talk (not speeches of course) and don't feel winded until I stop- that's when I realize I am breathing heavier. Improving cardio health does entail pushing it a bit so over time you can go longer or faster without fatigue. If of course it is not so much HR but just overall body fatigue that can cause unwanted side effects- that is totally different..

[Kathryn460]

I like to monitor my heart rate so I stay in the fat burning zone for long duration exercise and find that my FitBit Charge 2 is accurate. I only exercise at peak heart rate (~165) for about ten minutes of intervals each day for cardio improvement. A heart rate of 175 at a moderate pace seems high. What is your resting heart rate? Have you compared it using another device or taking your pulse?