Wearables Enhance Fitness Assessment, Drive Paid Programming

Wearable technology is one of the fastest growing spaces in the world. It has become a huge part of the fitness and health industry, allowing personal trainers to better serve their clients. This article will discuss how wearable technology, specifically a heart rate monitor, allows personal trainers to ensure their client will reach their fitness goals.

Personal trainers should encourage their clients to use a heart rate monitor to conduct various tests on a weekly or monthly basis. These test are as follows:

Ambient Heart Rate Test: This test allows a client to see his or her general cardio health. This is done through measuring the client’s heart rate on the minute, every minute for five minutes. The client will notice this number will increase when he or she is stressed or overworked.

A Delta Heart Rate Test: This test is taken to determine the difference between heart rate while resting and standing. This can be done when the client lies horizontally for 2 minutes, captures his or her heart rate and slowly stands up. After two minutes of standing, the client should measure his or her heart rate again, then measure the different between the two. The smaller the difference between the two numbers the less stressed the client is.

Sub Max Heart Rate Test: This test allows a client to predict his or her maximum heart rate and know what physical condition they are currently in. To perform this test, the client will need to step and down an 8” step, alternating legs at a cadence of 20 steps per minute. After 3 minutes, the client should record their heart rate. The client should then add 55 to that number, if they are in poor shape, 65 if they are in average shape or 75 if they are in excellent shape. The resulting number is an approximation of the client’s maximum heart rate.

Heart Rate Recovery Test: This test allows a client to measure how much his or her heart rate falls during the first minute after vigorous exercise. It can be determined by having the client perform vigorous activity for a few minutes then stop. The client should then watch his or her heart rate drop during a one-minute period — the further the client’s heart rate recovers, the fitter the client’s heart.

Once a client understands his or her numbers, the personal trainer should take the time to discuss what these numbers actually mean, specifically related to heart strength and heart heath. This will allow clients to better understand the benefits of slow moderate activity, as well as HIIT training, and the progress of their most important muscle, the heart.

Emmett Williams is the president of MYZONE. For more information call 312-870-4800 or email Emmett.williams@myzone.org.