As most of you know by now, we recently partnered with Polar heart rate monitors. In every single one of our classes, we can now track our heart rates together as a group! But, what does this mean for you and why should you get your own heart strap? Apart from tracking how many calories you're burning in the hour, here are 3 reasons why tracking your heart rate will take your exercise to the next level:
- Push Yourself: Our Polar HRM will tell you at what percentage you're working by using your maximum heart rate. You may think you're working at a certain intensity, when in fact you're working below your abilities. Tracking your heart rate throughout class will keep you accountable. If you want to stay at a higher intensity throughout your exercise, you'll be able to see when you start to fall behind.
- Exercise Safely: By wearing a HRM you can track your progress and make sure that you aren't over training or wearing yourself out. If your heart rate is abnormally high before or after your workout or if it takes you longer than normal to recover during your workout, you may be over training. If you ever start to feel faint, a HRM is a great tool to continue working at a safer intensity.
- Track Your Progress: One of the best things about using our Polar HRM program is that you're able to track your progress. Following all of our classes, we immediately send you a personal report outlining which zones you reached and for how long, how many calories you've burned and more! It's hugely motivating to see how week after week you're able to push yourself harder than the last week. Perhaps two weeks ago you were only able to sustain 60 seconds at 90% intensity, where as now you're able to spend 2 minutes or more!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
The heart rate monitor is an excellent tool to keep you accountable and track your intensity levels, but don't get hung up on calorie counting. In all of our classes, you will continue to burn calories after your workout (that won't be tracked) as your muscles rebuild themselves.
Also, until you've used your heart monitor a couple of times, pay attention to what it says on the screen versus how you are actually feeling. If you're immediately in the red or reach 100% on a regular basis (your max heart rate), chances are, your max heart rate needs to be adjusted. Inform the front desk that your max heart rate should be higher. On the flip side, if you feel like you've pushed yourself to the max and you're still only reaching the yellow (80-90%) then inform the front desk to reduce your max heart rate. While, we determine your max heart rate by using a scientific formula, it can be off slightly per individual.
If you haven't invested the $20 to get your heart strap, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of all that Rock It Workouts has to offer. It will make all the difference in your workout and your results!
