LA fitness news

Be still my beating heart.

March 01st, 2010

Did you know that Lance Armstrong is thought to have a resting heart rate of 32 – 34 beats per minute? Yours and mine is at least double that. Did you know that the heart is located in centre of the chest but it beats louder on the left, which is why most people think that’s where it is? Did you also know that your blood travels about 12,000 miles in one day? Neither did I.

In an exercise context your heart rate is what governs how hard you are working aerobically – so it’s a good thing to know about. There are five heart rate zones ranging from easy to eye-poppingly hard. The zones that are best suited to most members are 60% - 70% of maximum heart rate (for weight loss) and 70% to 80% of maximum (for heart health and weight loss). Maximum heart rate is usually calculated by subtracting your age from 220.

Taking your pulse manually is fine but prone to human error; if you really want to ensure that you get results from your training, heart rate monitors are a wonderful aid. Talk to our coaches for more information on the best training zone for you and how to purchase a heart rate monitor.