MAXIMIZING GAINS WITH HEART RATE MONITORS

We receive lots of questions about heart rate monitors. Common questions include:

Should I use a HR Monitor?

If I have one, how can I maximize its value in my training?

What about MetCons?

In this article, we answer those questions and provide some additional information about how to use a HR monitor to support your capacity gains. Let’s take a look at these questions in some detail.

Should I use a HR monitor? You DO NOT need it to develop monster capacity. The four-minute mile, sub-2:10 marathon, and sub-1:45 800m - along with countless other feats of athletic greatness - predate the HR monitor. We consider them nice to have, if used correctly. If you don’t have one, don’t worry!

I already have one. How can I use it to maximize my gains? Before we get into the details, there are two programming rules that supersede all others:

1) Athlete goals define program design. Information gathering from equipment like a HR monitor is an aspect of program design. If your training program does not consider collection of useful information, it’s incomplete.

2) The data on the HR monitor is secondary to performance outcomes. If your performance improves, your program is working! Use HR data for analysis but use performance for measurement.

OK, got it. Now how do I use this thing?

Our capacity framework utilizes five training day structures. Each of the days has a specific training intent, which produces adaptations beneficial to the functional fitness athlete. Data collection and interpretation for each of the days will vary. If you’re not working with us, no worries. Your conditioning program likely has many of the same elements. This chart presents the training days, along with the intent and desired adaptations of each: