Technical Reference

Technical Reference

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3.1 Target Zone & Fitness Training

Determining Your Target Zone

What is Target Zone Heart Rate Training? To benefit the most from your workout,

you should become familiar with your heart rate training zone. By exercising within

the correct heart rate range, you will achieve your fitness goals and strengthen your

cardiovascular system in less time. Here is basically how it works.

Scientific research has shown that effective conditioning requires that you maintain

your heart rate at the proper level for at least 20 minutes per workout (or per day). Exercising above you heart rate training zone can be counter-effective. For most

people, as your heart rate exceeds 85% of your maximum Heart Rate, which is the

upper limit, your body begins to become anaerobic and produces acids. At this stage,

your body begins to burn muscle instead of fat. When you have reached the lower

limit of you Target Zone Heart Rate Training, effective conditioning can be achieved.

A heart monitor will tune you in to your body’s internal activity level and helps prevent

injury.

The Hydra-AlertTMHRM automatically sets the correct Heart Rate Target Limits by

using the American Heart Association standard range of 65% to 85% of the calculated

maximum Heart Rate based on your age. The maximum HR is calculated based

on the equation, max HR = [207 – (Age x 0.7)].

There are various formulas for calculating Heart Rate Target Zones. In most cases,

the formulas provide a range that is the same as or very close to the auto-setting of the Hydra-AlertTMHRM. If you prefer to fine-tune or program your own limits,

this can also be done in the HR Setting Mode. The internal automatic TZ calculation

is based on the following example:

The calculated exercise range for a 30-year-old would be a low of 121 beats per minute and a high of 158 beats per minute. You should never exercise near your maximum heart rate (max HR) for any period of time.

Basic Fitness Target Zone & Tips

Depending on your specific goals, individual fitness level or just on how energetic you feel, you may want to modify your heart rate range from one day to the next based on the following chart:

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Acumen Hydra-Alert HRM manual Target Zone & Fitness Training, Determining Your Target Zone