What nudged me this morning? My heart ….. 🫀💝💞💗 💓 ❤️

[CBDB]

What nudged me this morning to get out there for a walk?? It was my heart …. Rate Monitor!

Well! Some of you may know I’m a bit of a tech-nerd! And 2-weeks ago, I awarded myself the permission of buying a heart rate monitor! (That was the reward for getting back to 3 runs, 2 intentional walks per week. “Intentional “ here meant for me as a way of not including any casual or regular walks to works or shops, but rather those when dressing up as if going for a run, but going for a physically intentionally focused fitness walk)

So the monitor arrived, and I’m now having fun with all new colours in my stats!!!

I’m also realising, I have to get under the hood and understand heart rate zones and HRZ training a bit more than I do at present.

But I took my HR monitor out for a walking spin today, and also tested a heart rate zone app, which was recommended to me: Zone2, an app dedicated to allowing you to maximise your time spent in Zone2 of full benefits of aerobic workouts. The app did cost a one-off £2.99, but at least it’s not subscription based.

But the results are interesting. Following thoughts I had:

- In all these apps, your one star you have to put in is your max heart rate. My maxHR I arrived at through rowing, but as far as I read, this might be less appropriate for walking and running. As these are more body-vertical activities, rather than swimming and rowing being more horizontal, they differ as the heart is differently burdened of moving blood around the body depending on its horizontal or vertical positioning.

- when rowing (indoor), I really have to work pretty hard to get to zone 4 and almost impossible to get to zone 5 during short workouts. However, as you can see in my colour charts, walking and running is completely different, and I struggled to keep in zone 2, or even Zone 3! And this was not a strenuous walk. No hills. No speed walk.

- so I might have to do a specific walking/running max heart rate zone testing to get my zones right!

And yes, this might be too much faffing for many, but I just get excited about the idea of trying to figure this out!

It certainly will be an effective nudger to get me out there!

Happy walking! With or without heart rate monitors!

[Gthants]

No idea what my chart would look like as the owner of a heart that beats faster than 'normal' anyway!

Also - I don't remember the last time I walked like that. Though we often walk the 20 or so minutes to a cafe and back, rather than driving there for our coffee date - does that count?

As to just walking, that would be interesting and unlike when I run I don't normally check my heart rate, though - as with my running - I am a faster than average walker and find it difficult to just stroll, rather than fast-walk! I'd bet my heart gets close to my watch's red zone just with walking ...

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Gthants]

I think that’s the best way to get your walks in, actually. Integrate it into your daily life! 👍🏽

[Annieapple A30min a day]

🤣 Happiness is a heart rate monitor & understanding Techie stuff!! Well done! I know who tho come to for advice …. I am so ignorant of all that stuff.. in fact avoid it when I can… need to try a bit harder🙈

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Annieapple]

LOL…, I’m still on a steep learning curve, so best with my stumbling around all things HRM! 🤣🤣📉📈📊

[Doris8 1000miles per year]

You’re a tech wizard. Lovely day for a walk,, daffodils just about out.

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Doris8]

They are! Lovely daffodils 🌼! Lol! wizard! Is there a tech witch? (Rather than tech watch!?) (smart watch witch???) (ok, I’m getting silly now …. 👍🏽🤣)

[apatsyf]

Ha, ha, love it!! At least you DID manage time in Zone 2. Will be interesting to see if you can work out your running Max HR and if it's the same as the rowing. I really need to try to do that as am hardly ever able to run below the 'vigorous' or 'peak' on my watch and that's when I'm feeling fine. Have fun with your new tech 😃🤗.

[CBDB Administrator in reply to apatsyf]

Thanks, yes. I’ve got some hill runs planned after I finnish my current plan to pinpoint my running max heart rate.

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[Cockneyblue]

This sounds like a workout for the brain too. Well done. 😃👍

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Cockneyblue]

Thank you! Yes, it is a bit! 🤣🤣🤔🤯🤓