I like using the treadmill at the health club, where the incline varies to maintain a target heart rate. Walking at a brisk pace on an incline can get your heart rate going just fine, and is easier on my knees at least.
Usually I follow the 'cardio' heart rate that the machine comes up with based on your age, and go for 20 or 30 minutes. This is the normal aerobic workout that all the experts say everyone is supposed to do a few times a week.
If I wanted to concentrate on an event like the 500 free, which lasts 5-6 minutes (hopefully closer to 5 if I can repeat my times from 20 years ago), should I alternate the normal cardio workout setting a higher heart rate (still below max for my age of course) and go for 5 minutes?
I've been checking my heart rate for 6 seconds on some swimming sets, and although this method is not as accurate, on sets like 100s or 200s my heart rate is well above the standard 80% of 220 minus age.
From what I've heard, the heart rate doesn't go up as high swimming as running. No expert on this, though. I used to wear a heart monitor for running, but I'd get read-outs that seemed totally unrealistic, sometimes jogging at a comfortable pace and seeing 180--and that's odd b/c there was no "heart pounding" sensation that I would associate w/ that kind of heart rate. Other times just to test it, I'd wear it for other activities and it would read way too low, such as 30 when I was up and about. Yes, my heart rate is in the 30s on awakening, but not when at my desk with coffee. Now I just go by feel.
From what I've heard, the heart rate doesn't go up as high swimming as running. No expert on this, though. I used to wear a heart monitor for running, but I'd get read-outs that seemed totally unrealistic, sometimes jogging at a comfortable pace and seeing 180--and that's odd b/c there was no "heart pounding" sensation that I would associate w/ that kind of heart rate. Other times just to test it, I'd wear it for other activities and it would read way too low, such as 30 when I was up and about. Yes, my heart rate is in the 30s on awakening, but not when at my desk with coffee. Now I just go by feel.
