{"id":211,"date":"2016-03-22T14:23:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T13:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmo.com\/secure\/wordpress\/?p=211"},"modified":"2017-07-22T16:00:11","modified_gmt":"2017-07-22T14:00:11","slug":"benefits-of-heart-rate-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmo.com\/secure\/wordpress\/tips-tricks\/benefits-of-heart-rate-monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of Heart Rate Monitoring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heart Rate is one of the key factors that will enable you to move your workout to the next level by introducing small changes to the way you train and monitor your body. Very similar workout routines (like duration or the distance swam) can bring better results if you just plan it with your heart rate in mind. In this post we’ll show you how to use heart rate monitoring to make your training sessions more efficient.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of heart rate monitoring<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Knowledge is a powerful thing when it comes to workout – it can give you many benefits just by knowing what is your heart rate at any given moment while in the swimming pool!<\/p>\n

How intense was your workout?<\/em>
\nMeasuring your heart rate is a perfect and objective way to check the intensity of your workout and to compare your effort between multiple sessions. It’s telling you much more about your training than duration or distance swam alone.<\/p>\n

Personal coach<\/em>
\nCombining heart rate monitoring with the level of perceived effort you make can be just like a personal coach telling you if you need to intensify your workout or slow down to find your 'sweet spot’ and be as effective as possible!<\/p>\n

Be safe during the workout<\/em>
\nMeasuring the intensity of your training is also a great way to be sure you won’t overtrain ever again. After finding the right heart rate for you (you will find ways to do that below!) you can control the maximum intensity that is right for your body and age group! Remember that as safe as swimming is, overtraining might lead to lowering your motivation and sometimes even to injuries! With heart rate monitor you’ll be safer during your workouts.<\/p>\n

Better measurement of calories burned<\/em>
\nMost of devices and systems calculating calories burned take only workout duration and distance into account. With heart rate monitoring you can add intensity as a factor to get much more accurate results and know exactly how much calories you’ve burned!<\/p>\n

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Heart Rate Zones
\n<\/strong>Different intensity of the workout (pulse values) has different effect on your body. Depending on your goals (strength, fat burning etc.) you should swim maintaining the pulse that guarantees faster progress. We divide workout intensity into several heart rate zones, that reflect percentage of your maximum heart rate level:<\/p>\n

50-60%<\/strong> \u2013 You burn fat at a moderate speed. This zone is perfect for people with health problems, obese or starting their swimming adventure. This zone is perfect for improving your general health and preparing you for the next step in your workout plan.<\/p>\n

60-70%<\/strong> \u2013 This one is called the fat burn zone as it uses mainly fat to generate energy. This one is obviously for all of us how want to lose weight and feel better. It also significantly improves heart health by lowering body fat levels.<\/p>\n

70-80%<\/strong> \u2013 This is what is called cardio-swimming and it is perfect for experienced athletes as it improves body strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. In this zone you burn 50% carbs and 50% fat.<\/p>\n

80-90%<\/strong> \u2013 For improving speed and endurance. This zone lets you burn mainly sugars. It has a great effect on your body build and strength.<\/p>\n

90-100%<\/strong> \u2013 Only for professionals and performed in short bursts; training in this zone helps experienced swimmers to push their endurance and strength to the limit.<\/p>\n

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How to calculate your optimal heart rate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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How to monitor your heart rate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

So what does swimmers do today to measure pulse reliably?<\/p>\n