anyone train with a heart rate monitor?

im looking at getting one to use while cycling (and walk/hike).

i will be 45 this year, and started thinking that it might be time to start training smarter rather than harder!

what i really need is the info to hold HR at a lower max during the easy days. seems i rarely have problem reaching an appropriate higher rate during on harder/faster days. so im thinking that for me at this point that good recovery is probably just as important if not more so.

a good one makes it easy to do intervals based on HR or time.

probably looking at "polar" brand, as they make cycling based units.

anyone have experience? thanks, - TB

[dmorrison]

Have 3 polar brand units. One for me One for the wife and a 3rd came with the treadmill. Every couple of years you have to replace the battery. Other than that they work fine.

Dave

[blackmercedes]

Any time I change my training regiment, I use my HR monitor to check my progress. I use a Polar unit, the cheapest they make, and up until a month ago, it worked great. The sending unit now needs a battery, so I might just get a bit better unit now that I have an excuse. I like the Polar unit as it reads on most every piece of cardio equipment at the gym.

Interval training will give you amazing cardio fitness.

[Lebenz]

I use one called an Acumen Basix. I've had to replace one of the batteries after 2 years. One of the nice things about the Acumen is that you can change the batteries yourself and you don't have to send it in.

This one shows average heart rate, overall time, time in the Zone, calories consumed. it also has over rev and under rev alarms but I don't us em.