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Health & Fitness

Life Time Fitness, Heart Rate and Heart Rate Monitors

There are many factors that contribute to weight loss and fat loss, but heart rate and intensity may be two of the most important factors to your health, weight loss and performance.

Hello Healthy Readers!

You’ve said it before, “I’m eating right and exercising but can’t seem to lose the weight and fat, what gives?!” There are many factors that contribute to weight loss and fat loss, but heart rate and intensity may be two of the most important factors to your health, weight loss and performance.

Let’s discuss heart rate and how it relates to your health and fitness goals.

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So, what is heart rate? Heart rate is typically called beats per minute and means the number of beats your heart takes in a minute. Heart rate can vary depending on what your body needs at any given time. According to the Mayo Clinic, “a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. For a well-trained athlete, a normal resting heart rate may be closer to 40 beats a minute. For healthy adults, a lower heart rate at rest generally implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.”

There are many factors that influence heart rate, including:

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  • Activity level
  • Fitness level
  • Air temperature
  • Body position (standing up or lying down, for example)
  • Emotions
  • Body size
  • Medication use

Heart Rate Training helps you exercise smarter-not harder. It can help you lose weight, increase your metabolism, increase your speed and help you avoid overtraining.

At we offer assessments to evaluate the heart rate and intensities you should be training at to make your exercise more efficient.

With an assessment called CardioPoint we can evaluate:

  • Key cardiovascular training markers include anaerobic threshold, aerobic base and V02
  • A precise measure of your cardiovascular fitness
  • Determines your optimal heart rate zones
  • Shows where your workout is most effective
  • Know how many calories you burn during exercise
  • Have better information for a customized cardio plan

Whatever your goal, a heart rate monitoring device helps you track your progress more efficiently and effectively. Monitoring your heart rate while you exercise provides a constant measure of your exercise intensity. Exercising at the right intensity for the right amount of time is the key to getting the most out of your workouts and meeting your fitness goals.

Benefits of a heart rate monitor:

  • Meet your fitness goals faster
  • Track calories
  • Know you’re working out in your optimal heart rate zone
  • Be more efficient with your time
  • Map your favorite routes
  • Put advanced athletic technology to work for your health
  • Accountability: compare your workouts over time
  • Upload results

To learn more about Life Time Fitness Heart Rate Training, or for help with selecting the right heart rate monitor, email gbatcheller@lifetimefitness.com, call 651-730-6000 ext.307 or stop by and ASK!

That’s it for now. Remember, I’m here for YOU so please share questions and comments below!

—Gina Batcheller, Health and Fitness Professional, Life Time Fitness

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