I got onto my first bike trainer ride of the season last week when it was in the 20’s and dark in the morning, and turned on the Spinervals. What’s the story with Troy Jacobson’s instructions about lactate threshold- when he says you should be at or above lactate threshold, how do you know if you’re anywhere near the mysterious lactate threshold, without using a heart rate monitor?.
My other related question is whether most amateur triathletes use a heart rate monitor and if, so, does it really affect your training?
You will need a Heart rate monitor. It is a simple and effective way to approach your training. Of course now they also have power meters, but for the most part a HR monitor is all you need.
S
Lactate threshold is different for everyone so yes you need a hr moniter to test yours.
I hate using my hr moniter because it makes me train in lower zones. and thats why i do because if i didn’t i’d go hard all the time and be dead wore out in a couple weeks.
you can’t know if you are there without it and thats why you need it. that being said, i’m sure there are those out there that don’t use a hr monitor. the benefit is you have an objective measure of your exertion in addition to the subjective, your perceived level. the hr monitor will tend to “slow you down”, allowing you to build important aerobic base at low hr zones. its worth it to have one.
