Gym Report - cardio

[susandennis]

First of all, several of my muscles are not that happy with Nadia.  Interestingly just above my right knee is killing me.  My left knee is not at all unhappy.  And I can tell that my situps and twisting situps were done correctly.  Ouch.

But... today...

Treadmill - 30 minutes - spikey intervals.  I have gotten a little treadmill sloppy with my hands.  They do not like to swing at my sides.  They like to rest on the bars.  But today I swung them for 5.5 minutes - zero elevation, up to 3 and then down to zero.  And tested my heart rate.  135.   Then I did the same for the next 5.5 minutes but with my hands where they like to be.  And tested my heart rate.  117.

Now, I'm not entirely clear on the implications of heart rate but I'm guessing that if I work it higher, my stamina will benefit.  I did not realized that the difference was so dramatic. 

So... from now on, I will either go with hands swinging OR feel really really guilty about letting them rest.  

The Seahawkeons are back on the street today but mostly sober.  It's nicer.

 

Comments

[fj.livejournal.com]

Oh, you didn't know? Yes, it is very very dramatic. You know Those People on the stairmaster, sweating all horribly climbing on insane settings but slumped over and resting their upper body on the controls? They'd be able to have the same effect and not hate the process that much if they cut their resistance in half and just stood upright while climbing.

Heart rate is everything. Get it up, keep it up, and that is what will change how your body handles energy. Just elevating it a little for hours will not make your body bust out the chemicals that reconfigure the system for stamina or strength. It's not enough of a stressor.

[susandennis]

"Just elevating it a little for hours will not make your body bust out the chemicals that reconfigure the system for stamina or strength. It's not enough of a stressor."

So, my getting it up and keeping it up for under 30 minutes isn't worth the effort? ok. good to know. thanks.

[fj.livejournal.com]

Oh no, it is totally worth it at 30 minutes for that many times a week as you do. You have already noticed. And you needed to ramp up. But yes, kicking it up to 130 during that time is good. I was more talking about people who take leisurly strolls on the treadmill for an hour and wonder why everything is still the same a year later. No, do what you do: push to new goals, every time. Your newest one is to never use bars again, and walk.

[susandennis]

Oh, ok. My arms are not thrilled but I get it and ok. Yes. Newest goal is to never use the bars again. The other old woman never ever uses the bars. She goes at a slower pace but she goes barless - it's impressive. If she can do it, I can, too.