Great points! Technically we each have our own invididual MHR. For $75 you can go to a performance lab and find it out. Not necessary for most of us. HRM aren't completely accurate either but the information tends to be consistent. Also, in my opinion the "intensity" can be be calculated. Again, this is strictly for comparision sake. If you oxidize 1000 in 50 minutes then your "burn" rate is 20. That burn rate is really interesting to see in MVO2 work which is a type of interval training.

Another issue with heart rate training is that the usual equation for estimating maximum heart rate (and hence cardiorespiratory training zones, anaerobic threshhold, etc.) isn't all that reliable. If you're working with a trainer, ask him or her about performing an estimated maximum heart rate test. If he or she doesn't know what you're talking about, find a new trainer My own maximum heart rate happens to be about 15 bpm higher than the usual 226-my age formula would suggest. Because of this I've had boneheaded instructors tell me I am working "too hard" when in fact I haven't even hit my anaerobic threshhold. As they would realize if they paused to look at _me_ instead of the gadget on my wrist

That said, it's obviously better to wear a heart rate monitor than not to wear one, particularly if you're training for performance. It's a critical source of objective data, and as such it's invaluable IF you know how to interpret the data.

I believe you have the quote as said. And what a great quote it is.

General Electric's Jack Welch once said something like:

"If you can't measure it, you can't understand it. If you can't understand it, you can't improve it."

He of course was speaking of business processes, but the same quantitative goal-oriented thinking applies to health and fitness as well.

My HR usually stays around 85-92% of my max after I do the grinding movements – truly amazing! It definitely provides feedback and more motivation for me to workout harder – I like seeing the numbers go up…haha.

While it was used to track workouts and cals burnt, it was also used to judge work and rests.

Clients can use it and say stop. You are pushing to hard, and have something showing that is the case. If the trainer doesn't want to listen, more reason to judge how good the trainer is and try to find a new one.

I use a Mio watch- google it, they are cheaper online. And the company is Canadian, so it is even cheaper for my American friends.

I am not a trainer, and so I can't speak for them, but I do know that knowing my heart rate is key to improving my fitness.

I have to agree with you wholeheartedly about monitoring your heart rate, no matter what exercise mode you choose, especially if you're going to add an "intensity component" to it. I use the Polar F6, basic but loaded with plenty of 'goodies' and more or less affordable(~$100), as far as heart rate monitors go.

Glad you mentioned the part about trainers who don't require their clients to wear one as being 'boneheaded'. Love it. So true…I see that travesty every time I hit the gym. Thanks for putting that out there.

Looking forward to your post about "Reverse Engineering Your Way to Success"…

Thanks again!

Fred