what i learned about endurance training.........(long)

[ohMom]

I am very fortunate to have access to a brand-spankin’ new ‘state of the art’ fitness center. I live in Smalltownville, Ohio but yet my DH works for an international corporation, the Scotts/Miracle-Gro company. Recently the company has made headlines by announcing its new no-smoking policy for employees; and I’m not sure if in all the hype the news media has included that the company opened a fantastic fitness and medical center. I joined in December, doing the orientations, checking out a class or two, planning on getting into a better routine come January. I also signed up for a one-on-one fitness assessment, which I had done this morning. I have had body fat assessments before, and pretty generic fitness assessing; but I have to say that this morning was very information and maybe a bit eye-opening. Well, I had just been squinting maybe; I was more like in denial

I would strongly encourage anyone who has this opportunity to DO IT! it’s worth it – no matter what your fitness level. I didn’t expect to learn anything but I did, and actually I’m attending a class on Friday about anaerobic training to learn more about target zones, etc for endurance training. Prior I had figured my target zone to be 140-160 based on my age and those charts, today I learned I’m between 150-upper 160s based on my personal resting heart rate, weight, and age.

My fitness assessment included: body composition, cardio-respiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, girth measurements and a fitness action plan.

I share with my fitness pro my short term goal of the Capital City ½ marathon on April 1; and most likely the WDW ½ marathon in Jan 2007. She is a runner to we had much to talk about. Shockingly she’d never heard of John Bingham!

What I found new to me and very useful for my endurance training is how I can monitor my heart rate and maximize my workouts by doing so. I know the role my cardio-respiratory endurance plays in events such as a ½, but never really put much into monitoring it during a workout to most efficiently build my endurance.

How cool – and the even cooler thing is the fitness center has Polar heart rate monitors to ‘check out’ for a workout, compatible with all their cardio machines. Just click that hoochamajig into place around my chest, hop on the machine and I get a totally accurate constant heart rate monitoring throughout my entire workout.

I will be re-evaluated in four months; just after the CC ½ marathon. I’m excited to see what progress I can make and have fun with high-tech ways.

 

[norma1223]

I agree completely about have a fitness assessment done if you have the opportunity. I had one done several years ago. It gives you a snapshot of where you stand fitness-wise compared to others your age and gender. I'm thinking about doing it again sometime this year. Thanks for the reminder.