Why Your Heart Rate is a Terrible Guide to Your Workout

Let's talk about it. One of the most popular workout crazes is heart-rate-based training. It can definitely ensure a sweaty workout and you may even be incentivized by a “high score,” although tragically these scores don’t necessarily equal better results. While heart rate is not always the best guide for your workout, especially when it comes to pain resolution and building muscle tone. We, fortunately, have some great (and free!) methods that will guide you to better results than chasing that Red Zone. Don't worry, we'll make it fun and educational! (or at least educational.)

So, here's the deal. Your heart rate can be affected by lots of things besides exercise intensity. Caffeine, stress, medication, and even the weather can make it fluctuate. That means using your heart rate as a consistent measure of exercise intensity can be a bit misleading.

Plus, different exercises require different levels of intensity, and your heart rate won't reflect that. For example, two people may have the same heart rate while exercising, but one person may be doing cardio while the other is doing resistance training. That's like comparing apples to oranges!

Another thing to keep in mind is that heart rate doesn't measure the intensity of specific muscles you're working. Resistance training, in particular, targets specific muscle groups, and your heart rate may not accurately reflect how hard those muscles are working. So, if you're doing squats, your heart rate may not be very high, but your legs might be burning!

Finally, heart rate doesn't take into account the long-term progress you can make with traditional rehab and resistance training. These types of exercises require a gradual increase in intensity over time to build strength and improve mobility. If you rely solely on heart rate to guide your workout, you might miss out on the gains you could be making.

But fear not, my friend! There are other ways to measure exercise intensity that take into account your individual experience and the specific exercises you're doing. The Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, for example, asks you to rate your perceived level of exertion on a scale of 1-10. It's like having your own personal intensity meter!

(Check Out How to Use Effort to Gauge Your Workout Using RPE)

Another option is to work with a personal trainer or physical therapist who can guide you through exercises and help you make progress over time. They can also help you track your progress and celebrate your wins along the way!

(Schedule Your No Cost No Sweat Intro with Us to See How We Can Help You Reach Your Goals)

So, there you have it. Heart rate is not always the best guide for your workout, but there are other options out there. Keep it fun, keep it educational, and keep on moving!