by Sally Edwards
I bought this great little book on the recommendation of the sales clerk who sold me my heart rate monitor (HRM). The book helps you learn to train with your HRM, outlining the five training zones and helping you set up a program to incorporate all five. My HRM has become a real partner in my workouts--not just an alarm to tell me to work harder or easier.
Sally helps you figure out your resting heart rate, heart rate reserve, and various training heart rates. Although the book is geared to the runner and biker, she discusses how the HRM can be used for all sorts of athletic activities and areobics. There are special sections for the beginner, the dieter, and the cardiac patient. One section discusses interval training.
The book presents sample charts and tables to help you learn how to record and rate your workouts. You'll find charts to help you determine your five training zones. And there's even a chart to help you translate preceived exertion into a heart rate equivalent.
As I noted above, this book will help you use your HRM to put together a complete workout program -- there's more to getting in shape than staying between 65 and 85% of your maximum heart rate. Sometimes it's good to push yourself harder; and sometimes it's good to relax.
Those of you going for VF challenges -- marathons or 5k runs -- will find the information in Sally's book a great help.
candace
1 Feb 98
I have this book (Sally Edwards Heart Zone Training). She advocates training using various heartrates in different workouts. The book is 186 pages long and is a quick read. First she talks about heart rates, fitness and measuring your heart rate. She gives a couple tests that allow you to figure your own max heart rate w/out maxing out (the usual guidelines 220-age are an average). Then she shows you how to create a schedule using various heart rate zones. She talks about schedules for healthy hearts, weight loss, all round fitness and advanced fitness. She also uses a point system (based on your exercise zone). She suggests some ways to use your heart rate to vary your exercise program to avoid boredom. I thought this book was good but not excellent.
Lael Lambe
4/2/98
