Unique results for individual success.
Results are the life-blood of our facilities. Results not only keep our clients coming back, but they lead to referrals. A key responsibility of club owners is to make sure trainers have the most current tools and information to help clients see the best results possible.
Heart rate monitoring has always been an accepted tool used by trainers. Now the market of heart rate monitors from chest straps to wrist bands is everywhere and we have an increased ability to focus on personalized training zones. That training becomes even more powerful when those individual zones are defined by a measure of oxygen uptake (VO2 Max). Just like heart rate monitoring, VO2 Max technology has exploded in its accessibility and ease of use. It provides precise heart rates at a person’s Respiratory Exchange Rate, Anaerobic Threshold and VO2 Max. How can this kind of information give clients better results?
Effectively Burn Fat — Respiratory Exchange Rate shows a person the heart rates where they are most effectively burning fat. While increasing intensity might give the impression of burning more fat, there comes a point when a person begins to burn carbohydrates for energy. Because carbohydrates are a fuel source that must be replenished, burning them often drives a person to eat more and undermines any attempts to lose weight. Staying in the fat burning zone will bring clients a return on their exercise investment that will dislodge even the most stubborn fat cells.
Develop Endurance and Power — As a client is pushed toward their anaerobic threshold (AT), their body is challenged as it maximizes its aerobic capacities. Training to increase this threshold increases one’s endurance and gives athletes the peak heart rate that will maximize performance in distance racing. Interval training that pushes above AT into the max zone develops strength, speed and power.
Avoid Overtraining — Many people train day in and day out at the same heart rate, doing the same routine. Whether it is running, cycling or walking the dog, we are creatures of habit. Effectively utilizing personalized zones allows clients to be pushed to their peak at some intervals and allow their bodies to recover at others, while still achieving maximum results.
Zone training allows trainers to be specific to the goals of the individual. Even within a group workout, those with vastly different fitness levels can participate on equal footing. Systems that project personal heart rate zones on the wall defined by color can allow a trainer to bring these same benefits to a room full of clients. As they call out each zone, individuals can work out with the group while continuing to adhere to their unique heart rate zones.
Whether clients come to your facility to lose weight, to get in shape or to receive sport specific training, heart rate based zone training makes sense. With zones based on a VO2 Max test, they will see results that will win you customers for life.
Julie Kofoed is the VP of Marketing at KORR Medical Technologies. She has experience in the healthcare industry as a registered nurse for over 25 years and has spent the past 15 years specializing in metabolic health and wellness. She can be reached at jkofoed@korr.com.
