Are you working out hard enough? Try using the Talk Test,
A common challenge of exercise is figuring out how hard you should work. There are a few options to calibrate the ideal effort you should be putting forth, but most require too much math to make them great mid-workout options. I like the Keep It Simple Stupid version called the Talk Test.
For the average healthy individual who is trying to improve overall fitness, including cardiovascular and lung capacity, these are the rules.
- If you can have a full blown conversation during an aerobic workout you should be working harder.
- If you can't talk at all, even to scream "help!", you are working too hard.
- If you are huffing and puffing, but still have enough wind to tell your partner or trainer, "I can't wait to get this over with"...your pace is juuuuuust right.
You can also consider to take your pulse, but in my opinion this is a far more realistic option for someone in the midst of cardiovascular training. Give it a try!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-28-2007 @ 9:23PM
Tim UF said...
Runners will say that, unless you are a very seasoned runner, that if you have some trouble carrying on a conversation, that you are going a bit too hard. The idea behind the runners' logic is that a lot of people will start off running and over do it. As a way of avoiding over-use injuries, they recommend the 'run until you begin to feel like you couldnt carry a conversation'. This is expecially important for beginning runners. For lower impact activities, like elliptical runners stationarybikes bikes stairclimbers, etc... by all means works a bit harder!
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