.: what the H is a HRM? :.

have you guys been missing me???

i am seriously embarrassed by how long it has been since i have posted. i am even more embarrased by how long ago one of my followers asked me to write up this post - to that follower, i am sincerely sorry!

ok, enough gushing! this post is a basic breakdown of a heart rate monitor - the specific model is a Polar FT40. when i was able to run, i was trying to decide between investing in a GPS or a heart rate moniter. the HRM won because it was more versatile than a GPS - it doesn't track distance, but it tracks your heart rate (obviously), whether you are in a cardio (fitness improving) range or fat burning range, how long were in each range, length of work out and number of calories burned. you are able to enter your height, weight, gender, birthdate, etc., so your HRM is tailored for you and your workout stats are accurate unlike what the machines at the gym tell you.

getting started:.

first, you have set the time and enter your biometrics in - height, weight, gender, etc. if you buy a new HRM, you will be prompted to do this. if you buy a used one, it is easy enough to hit a few buttons and change them. another bonus, it is easy to change these if you happen to lose or god forbid, gain weight to ensure your results are always accurate.

that's pretty much all you need to do and you are already ready to use it in a workout!

the chest strap - the strap is very comfortable, adjustable and easy to put on. before you put it on, you need to wet the back of strap where the transmitter attaches. the transmitter is the small chip-looking piece that will snap on and off the strap. when i say wet, i mean spreading a couple drops of water (or spit), not running it under water - too much. plus chances are you may sweat during your workout so you just need something while you warm up. placement - you will want the transmitter to lie flat, for me that is either to the left or right of my sternum. picture this, place the strap either under your sports bra band or right above whichever is more comfortable for you. i tend to place mine a little above the band so i don't feel too constricted. play around with it, see where you get a 'signal' and adjust it from there. guys, i am sure you can picture where a sports bra band were to lie if you wore on.

now, all you have to do is hit the middle button on the right side of the watch (twice) and get moving! it may take up to 30 seconds for your watch to link with the transmitter, but your heart rate should soon take over the watch screen. if it does not pick up your heart rate, it will say 'check your transmitter' - if that happens, adjust the transmittier, end the session and start it again. extra bonus, your heart rate monitor will most likely automatically sync with the cardio machine you are using.

the HRM does have the ability to pause - hit the 'end' button once to pause or twice to end.

what else do you need to know??? after you hit end, it will automatically break down your workout data and you can interpretate how ever you would like!

here is one of my workouts as an example:.

breaking down how long you were in each 'zone'

tracks your average heart rate throughout the workout and the highest that your heart rate reached 

tip: detach the transmitter from the strap after every use - this will help extend the battery life of the transmitter.

i hope i gave a decent overview of a HRM - let me know if you have any questions. the user manual is EXTREMELY helpful.

i use my HRM for just about everything - yoga sculpt, barre, buti, ellipticalling, lifting weights, spin, biking outside. i love that i can see how productive each work out has been regardless of what it is - a GPS watch can't do that..... i have also found that i can use my HRM as an indication of being sick or not getting enough sleep - for instance, i noticed my heart rate spikes really quickly and has a hard time coming down when i am sleep deprived or am getting over a cold.

heart rate monitors range in brands and prices. it all depends on what you want to use it for. i am biased towards to Polar brand because they seem to be the largest and most popular HRM, but they can come at a cost. i was lucky enough to have my employee wellness program offer discount prices. do some research - there are hundreds of makes and models that can benefit you in a different way!

do yourself and your workouts a favor, buy a HRM - it will keep you honest.



always strving for more,

 dee b.

.: barre review :.

one of my unspoken resolutions is to try different workouts - change your routine, change your body, right??? this meant that i would have to venture out of my free membership and comfort zone of Corepower Yoga.

with a friend by my side, i decided to try out a Barre class at Sparrow Studios in Eagan. not only do they offer a free week for visitors, but they recently ran a Living Social deal that i purchased. have i mentioned before that Groupon, Crowd Cut and Living Social all run really good deals on fitness classes all over the place?! super awesome for getting out and trying new things on a budget!!!

the atmosphere is very encouraging and welcoming - a receptionist is there to greet you along with an instructor who is happy to show you around. there is only 2 studios, so it isn't overwhelming like a big fitness club.

the instructor i had was wonderful! her name is Angie, i have taken a few classes with her at Corepower, but she really made my experience at Sparrow that much better. she was super sweet and incredibly uplifting from the time you walked into the studio to when you (painfully) walked out. there was a lot of new people in the class that i attended, but Angie led us with great instructions and energy. i really appreciated Angie's leadership from singing in the microphone to telling us repeatedly, "you can do this", "you guys look SO great" - seriously, she was one of those instructors who genuinely felt my pain and the burn, but i didn't want to disappoint her, so i pushed to my edge and beyond (FYI shaking is a GOOD sign in this class).

speaking of pain, holy crapola could you feel the burn during the class! i have been wanting to specifically try Barre since i heard about it a few months ago, but i never really knew what it entailed. let me break it down for you - you are in a studio with a ballet bar, small weights, a yoga mat, strap and a couple medicine balls. throughout class, you do various moves to burn out specific muscle groups whether it is lunges, squats, arm circles, abs, etc. most of this class is done with body weight or very little extra weight.

whether you are just embarking on a new journey of working out or are advanced, this class works for you! it is low impact (i was hardly sweating), but you are working your butt off (literally) and are working muscles you probably haven't felt in awhile, or ever....

while i was thinking about writing this review, i was trying to think of anything that i would have enjoyed more of or wished was different and to be honest, i am still thinking....seriously, this class was super awesome for any level of fitness experience, age and body conditions - even my bad knees didn't get ticked off. i wore my heart rate monitor simply out of curiosity - not a ton of calories burned in a hour, but look at that percentage of time in the fat burning zone! i always find the majority of my work out in the 'fitness range' (improving cardio, but not focusing on fat burning) - it was really interesting to feel a work out that was mostly in the fat burn range.


it goes without saying, but i would highly, HIGHLY recommend anyone and everyone to try out a free week at Sparrow Studios! i know a few of the other instructors personally and i know they would be just as great as Angie - Sparrow Studios has rock stars as instructors! i am excited to continue classes during my free week and with the package i bought (BUTI fitness is next).

side housekeeping notes :. you do have 'purchase the free week' - you don't have to put in a card number or anything, you just need to have an account to sign up for classes in advance on their website (http://sparrowmn.com). check out their website for more information regarding classes, schedules and even videos of what you are getting yourself into!

Sparrow Studios, thank you for your dedication to uplifting others to reach their personal and fitness goals! i am so very excited to continue practicing with you!

always striving for more,

dee b.