Concept2 Forum

Hi,

I am just wondering who of you is training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

Thank you

I like training with HR because I'm a data scientist who likes making pretty graphs, otherwise HR is not a useful metric for me and I may as well not be using a HR monitor. In general I row by perceived exertion and do not maintain HR bands during a workout, because I haven't found success in getting an effective workout while also maintaining a low HR. I also go by pace in general. For example, a UT2 SS-style workout will still put me at an average HR of around 165-170 (of 205) for 2:20/500 and an AT workout will put me at an average of around 185 for 2:06/500. So my HR jumps up regardless.

Its pretty important to use a HR belt for all your training.

From staying in your intended HR training zones to all your racing and tracking your maximum HR as well as resting rates etc.

You pretty much don't drive a car these days without an RPM gauge and a HR belt is basically doing the same function for your body.

Also shows you are getting enough rest and not overtraining.

Saying that rowing without a HRM is "rowing without data" is an overstatement. A lot of data is available from the PM5. Certainly enough to interpret current performance and to plot a future strategy. And then there is the issue of how to use HR data. It would be very easy to misinterpret and either undertrain or overtrain. I know my RHR because it is readily measurable. But I do not use that info. Have no idea what my HR is during rowing and do not care.

rentagreement wrote: ↑

October 31st, 2023, 2:21 am

Hi,

I am just wondering who of you is training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

Thank you

I do. Why? Because it’s a less than necessary, over-rated gimmick which is subject to too many variables, like sleep, stress, caffeine, weather and hydration to name a few. You can make plenty of progress without one. I’m very in tune with how hard I’m working at any time. I know when I’m in zone 2 on the bike or UT2 on the rower, and I know when I’m close to max effort on sprints. I know when to dial it back and I know when I can push on and work harder. I don’t need to see a number on a screen to confirm/clarify any of this for me.

CaseyClarke wrote: ↑

November 1st, 2023, 10:32 pm

rentagreement wrote: ↑

October 31st, 2023, 2:21 am

Hi,

I am just wondering who of you is training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

Thank you

I do. Why? Because it’s a less than necessary, over-rated gimmick which is subject to too many variables, like sleep, stress, caffeine, weather and hydration to name a few. You can make plenty of progress without one. I’m very in tune with how hard I’m working at any time. I know when I’m in zone 2 on the bike or UT2 on the rower, and I know when I’m close to max effort on sprints. I know when to dial it back and I know when I can push on and work harder. I don’t need to see a number on a screen to confirm/clarify any of this for me.

I believe you're probably correct, Casey. I also believe that many folks are likely unsuccessful at determing what intensity level they're exercising at - particularly with respect to crossing their first ventilatory threshold (called whatever term one prefers).

CaseyClarke wrote: ↑

November 1st, 2023, 10:32 pm

rentagreement wrote: ↑

October 31st, 2023, 2:21 am

Hi,

I am just wondering who of you is training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

Thank you

I do. Why? Because it’s a less than necessary, over-rated gimmick which is subject to too many variables, like sleep, stress, caffeine, weather and hydration to name a few. You can make plenty of progress without one. I’m very in tune with how hard I’m working at any time. I know when I’m in zone 2 on the bike or UT2 on the rower, and I know when I’m close to max effort on sprints. I know when to dial it back and I know when I can push on and work harder. I don’t need to see a number on a screen to confirm/clarify any of this for me.

Cyclingman1 wrote: ↑

November 1st, 2023, 7:22 pm

Saying that rowing without a HRM is "rowing without data" is an overstatement. A lot of data is available from the PM5. Certainly enough to interpret current performance and to plot a future strategy. And then there is the issue of how to use HR data. It would be very easy to misinterpret and either undertrain or overtrain. I know my RHR because it is readily measurable. But I do not use that info. Have no idea what my HR is during rowing and do not care.

Hi, these are my thoughts as well. I look at my monitor to see my splits and spm etc. this gives me plenty of orientation. I used to look at my HR mostly so far, but as you can see in my "cant reach my maxHR" thread the HR rather confused me because it felt so low compared to other sports I do during perceived max efforts. That lead to some frustration and made me watch my HR all the time. Id just like to enjoy the workout and switch off such thinking..

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=207719&p=575143#p575143

So now I am thinking about leaving the HR belt off completely.

I don't use a a HR monitor and probably never will. I have more than enough to think about when rowing without 1 more thing to consider. To improve you just need the right mix of easy, medium and harder sessions and the HR will take care of itself. In my younger days I was a decent runner and the same applied to running training too. Just my opinion.

I don't think not using a HR can say you're not using data - and neither will I say that using a HR belt is the absolute requirement either.

I find it useful as a guide to re-confirm my effort while rowing, I run a higher Hr than the metrics suggest, so don't use it religiously; but for example I know that I can sustain a Hr around 170 for an hour+ so if pacing for a HM, I need to go at a pace where my Hr won't be much above that before 1 hour.

I also use it just to look to see if something I did before was done at a similar pace what the average hr was - an additional tracker for overall fitness improvements.

I've also used it to completely change my planned session for the day, when I've sat on the erg resting HR is a good 20bpm higher than it should be, I know trying to much of anything on the hard end of the scale would be a waste of time

I am no longer using my HR belt, feels too much a distraction. During training and races I rely purely on the PM5: these provide me with robust and instantaneous data. HR data always lag considerably, and can be difficult to interpret. During sleep I do acquire RHR data (using my sports watch), so I do get warning signs in case my body is struggling.

very interesting, i am quite surprised how many of you work out without HR. Actually it encourages me since my gut feeling has been similar as many of you mention here.

CaseyClarke wrote: ↑

November 1st, 2023, 10:32 pm

rentagreement wrote: ↑

October 31st, 2023, 2:21 am

Hi,

I am just wondering who of you is training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

Thank you

I do. Why? Because it’s a less than necessary, over-rated gimmick which is subject to too many variables, like sleep, stress, caffeine, weather and hydration to name a few. You can make plenty of progress without one. I’m very in tune with how hard I’m working at any time. I know when I’m in zone 2 on the bike or UT2 on the rower, and I know when I’m close to max effort on sprints. I know when to dial it back and I know when I can push on and work harder. I don’t need to see a number on a screen to confirm/clarify any of this for me.

Yes you are right about being able to make plenty of progress without the need of a HR monitor. In my experience though, to get the best out of your physiology you do need to involve a bit more science which will include monitoring HR.

training without a HR belt, without keeping track of HR.And if so, why?

I don't use HR belt because it shows me lots of spurious impulses, not heart beats. When I did it was too slow reacting; though HR drop rate on stopping was interesting.

Watts is the measure of power produced, and PM shows Watts, so I don't need a power proxy anyway.

Since rowing is a power sport, and producing power can get us fit, it would seem pointless to use any other metric.

Heart Rate theory said that when aerobic, HR range is linear with Watts; if you use both, you can see the relationship, and in particular, your relationship between HR range in use and Watts.

I am now still wearig a HR belt but am specifically not looking at the HR data. I am trying to listen to my body and not think about the data. Then, after workouts I am using the data to track my efforts.

I use a HR belt on the rower, but not during my gym sessions.
I'm not using the HR for planning sessions, typically I only use the data to see changes for the same sessions.