Focus Your Efforts with Heart Rate Zone Training

Perhaps this post could be called an ode to the heart rate monitor, my favorite training tool. It gives instant feedback and lets me know how hard I'm truly training, based on my cardiac output. If you're a gym-goer you've probably jumped on a cardio machine and seen this familiar sticker or one of its familiar variations. Why so complicated, cardiovascular machines? I'll explain why one (heart rate) zone doesn't fit all because we all have different training goals.

Strength Training Basics

A muscle is like a car. If you want it to run well early in the morning, you have to warm it up - Florence Griffith Joyner

Strength training is one of my favorite forms of exercise so I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss it a bit. It seems most exercise enthusiasts are divided into two camps: they love weight training and the challenges and opportunities it presents, or they despise it and treat it as a nuisance at best and an option at worst.