Customer Reviews

Precision Heart Rate Training

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been interested in improving my performance for years, and finally decided to take the plunge and look into heart-rate monitoring. This book does not really support a specific philosophy and who knows if the so called "science" is supportable. I also read "Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot" by John L. Parker and recommend it. It appears much more scientific and emphasizes recovery over training in a zone. Don't buy this book. Rory Donaldson roryd@brainsarefun.com

I do inline skating, skiing, and weight training, but every time I tried to take up running, I would hit a wall. I just couldn't run for long sessions, and after a few I would hurt something and give up. Then I read about Ed Burke in Outside. This book, along with Burke's "Optimal Muscle Recovery" (I tore an Achilles tendon and developed plantar fascitis from skating and skiing) and "Stretching" finally got me to understand that I wasn't building the base I needed in order to run better. By following the training programs in this book, I've greatly increased my capacity without injury, and am slowly seeing my speed increase. Also liked this book because it took a different approach for each covered sport, and it treated inline skating with the respect it deserves as an endurance activity.

I had bought the book to help me with Mtn. bike training and my son with running. The book didn't provide information for mtn. biking though it did have a section on road biking. The running chapter seemed incomplete. The major table that was supposed to explain the heart rate targets was not explained fully. Also, oddly, there is a quote in there that is identical in two chapters but attritubted to two different people!

In summary, I was disappointed with the book but it may be helpful to someone else.

Given some of the less-than-favourable reviews here I thought I was going to find an average, if not hum-drum book. I was very pleasantly surprised! This is a great book, very detailed with good descriptions of the Karvonon method of calculating HRR (Heart Rate Reserve) and its correlation to VO2 Max and Net VO2 and how to use this information to determine appropriate training zones. It had some good sections on various other fitness activities (such as cycling, swimming and walking) and serves as a good resource for anyone wanting to get fit faster while lowering your chances of injury or overtrainig.

I think if you combined this book with "Heart Rate Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot" you'd posses all the information you'd ever need to train to maximum effectiveness with your heart rate monitor.

Ed Burke, Colorado's most noted exercise physiologist and a professor at the University of Colorado has written another great book. Ed has been a professor for over two decades and a respected author as well. He hasn't traumatized his own body--like traumatizing means engaging in the eco-challenge, 100 mile runs and other dance until you die events. I think most people want to be fit and have fun. Fun is what Burke is all about.

I think that George's point is that calling yourself a "tramatologist" doesn't mean a thing. I study trauma too...but that doesn't make my review of a heart-rate training book any more valid. My review was based on facts. The book isn't that great...for the reasons I gave. I can even be more specific about my reasons. Note: saying it is "fun" and "informative" means absolutely nothing...just like saying, "I'm a tramatolgist." (sic) And that would be...a MD? PhD? BA? A mail-order degree? Think about it... The book isn't terrible and I'd recommend going to the library to check it out if you're looking for a cursory introduction to heart-rate training...but I wouldn't buy it. By the way, Sally's book isn't that good either.

For the "reader" below--whom I assume is really Sally Edwards--a book competitor--a traumatologist is someone who studies trauma! The Denver Post recently did a wonderful story on Ed Burke and the host of books he has authored unlike Edwards who does not write hers--and how Ed makes learning fun and informative! She should take time reading it....instead of globetrotting.

It is interesting to note that the "reader" from Telluride, Colorado does not list any reasons "why" this is a great book. In fact, no one does! Why? The book is not that good! Ed makes learning fun? Please... An article in a fitness magazine provides as much "fun" information! Also, just because someone claims to be traumatologist (whatever that means!) and endorses the book, it doesn't make it any more legitimate. If it's so "great" why doesn't anyone give any reasons why? Hmm...I'm not against Burke & I'm not against Polar...I am for honest, fair reviews based ON fact. An honest review? This book is simply okay.

I found this book extremely helpful and don't feel the criticisms of the review below warranted. Ed makes learning fun!

This book tries to do too much: it wants to be a heart rate training book AND a book about training for sporting events. The book is only 200 pages...get the picture? The book provides cursory information on training for various sports: walking, running, cycling, in-line skating, and triathlon. Obviously, if you really wanted to learn how to train competitively for these sports, this ISN'T the book for you. If you're looking for a book that tells you how to create a workout you can do at a health club on a stair-climbing machine or elliptical trainer, etc....this is NOT the book for you. Sure, there's a chapter on "group" exercise (i.e. aerobic class), but it FAR from practical. The introductory chapters merely delineate the heart zones rather than offering suggestions for combining them meaningfully or providing progressive programs. The book simply tries to cover too much in order to increase its market.