How To Use A Heart Rate Monitor To Lose Weight

By: Victoria Rodriguez-Baziuk

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Learning how to use a heart rate monitor to lose weight is essential because it lets you know when you are working harder than you need to. With this piece of equipment, you can always be sure that you are exercising at your target heart rate, which helps to burn fat and not muscle.

Follow these helpful guidelines in order to learn how to use a heart rate monitor to lose weight.

  1. Participate in exercise you usually participate in. If you are wearing a wristwatch that has a heart rate monitor on it make sure it is secure and won’t get in the way when you exercise. Usually, heart rate monitors will beep when you hit your target heart rate. This lets you know to keep working at this same pace.
  2. Many people try to burn more fat and calories by over doing it. They think they are burning more fat when they work harder than they should. Not only does working past your recommended target heart exhaust you, but you will also begin burning muscle, not fat. According to the Medline website, “The target heart rate during physical activity should be 60% - 90% of the maximum heart rate.”
  3. If you notice that the beep is getting louder and you are working past your target heart rate, take it down a notch. Walk in place if you have to. Get a drink of water. Bring the heart rate down, until you are ready to start up again. It is very important that you try not to overdue it. Work your way up at a slower pace if you need to.

Follow these simple tips and you will learn how to use a heart rate monitor to lose weight.

References:

Physical Activity

Posted on: May. 06, 2010