The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Cyclists

"The book will suit some people more than others. It contains some background about the various heartrate zones and the effects of exercising in each zone. The book is heavily reliant on the use of spinning exercises and contains a wide range of exercise routines to relieve the monotony of spinning in a gym or using a bike on a set of rollers indoors. Basic heart rate monitors might not be sophisticated enough to use with the book.

There are cyclists who can cope with the boredom of stationary cycling I'm not one of them and accordingly I've not found the book to be invaluable.

Buyers need to be aware that the CDROM that comes with the book is an evaluation copy and ceases to function after 30 days.

Overall it offers a useful insight into some sports physiology and perhaps a leg up into regular exercise using baikes and indoor spiining machines. It won't suit those who prefer outdoor cycling and like to 'get the miles in'."
~ Written on 2007-12-13

"This book takes a flexible and adaptable approach to fitness improvement which is based on the use of indoor ("Spin") cycling or outdoor riding. It is important to note that you will gain little from this book simply by being a "Reader" - you must "USE" the book in conjunction with a heart rate monitor. As the authors say, "Life is a Participant's Sport" - and this is a "Participant's" book.

The book introduces the user to the concept of heart rate zones and describes the effect of exercise within each zone. The main thesis of the book is the adoption of a 10 step process to developing the user's own training programme which is tailored to their personal capabilities, objectives and available time. The user is shown how to determine their own maximum heart rate and to use this value to define their own heart rate zones. Fitness goals are then selected and current fitness level is determined. Based on these personalised results an individual training plan is deleveloped. The user is then encouraged to record and monitor their own performance against their own targets. A computer programme is supplied with the book to asist with this process. The final step of the process is to encourage the user not to stop but, indeed, to re-start the process back at step 4 - by measuring the new (hopefully improved!) fitness level and go through the loop again, and again, and again....

This book provides the route to "Lifetime Wellness" - it is up to the user to adopt the process or not."
~ Written on 2000-12-24