Heart rate training continues to be at or near the top in every fitness prognosticators crystal ball.  It’s the training trend that never seems to quit.  In fact, it never seems to slow down!  The obvious question is, “Why?”  Here are five good reasons:

1 - It Works!

For any trend to stand the test of time, it must deliver its own version of the “brand promise.”  With heart rate training the promise is to provide the fitness participant with a more targeted, effective workout within his/her overall regimen.  Heart rate training doesn’t disappoint when it comes to delivering on that promise. 

The simplicity of the concept allows consumers to easily understand what it is, so even technology-averse folks can readily embrace heart zone training.   Nothing is difficult, nor is it cumbersome.  And for those who demand the “proof in the pudding,” fact is – heart zone training works.  It really does help you reach your training objective. 

2 – It Works!  For Everybody!!

What’s more, heart rate training works for everybody, regardless of your training habits or needs.  You find it in high intensity environments like indoor cycling or HIIT.  And you find it just as predominantly in group ex or personal training. 

Equally important, heart rate training has a major impact on goal-oriented fitness participants.  You find millions of believers engaged in sports performance just as easily as you find them in weight loss programs, or simply fitness for the sake of overall health. 

Bottom line, when a trend impacts nearly everybody it ceases to be a trend and becomes a norm.  

3 – Connect with Tech

Technology is where it’s at these days and nobody disputes we’ll have more of it in our lives long before we have less.  Heart rate training is dominated by new technologies and the latest “gizmos” are what the fitness consumer wants.  Plus, whether you’re a true “techie” or a late blooming advocate – there’s goodies for all. 

For example, we can now find everything from heart rate training “wearables” (boy, how quickly did THAT word become commonplace in our language?) from traditional chest monitors to monitors built into wrist bands, bras, hats, helmets, and earphones – to name a few. 

4 – Accuracy

Used to be, we’d take the heart rate measurements with a grain of salt.  Data from early version fitness equipment built-ins on the handles of treadmills or bikes was of dubious validity.  Not so today, as the trend to acceptance was, by necessity, led by enhanced accuracy. 

This improvement in accuracy led to the build out into more data acquisition such as core body temperature, breathing rate, level of hydration and a variety of other key elements to health. 

5 – Health Care Wants It

As the quality and efficacy of heart rate training and monitoring led to the gathering of great volumes of data on participant health – it didn’t take the healthcare professionals long to recognize the value, and potential value. 

The jury is still out on how, how much, when, and to what degree the data gathered will be used, but rest assured (or workout assured) that the day is coming when your physician will not only tell you to “get some exercise,” he will add, “and I’ll be monitoring it.” 

About the Author:

Chuck Leve is a 40-year veteran of the fitness industry and proven successful developer of fitness industry associations. Currently he serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS). He's been involved in the creation and development of some of the most successful trade associations in the history of the fitness industry. For more information on AFS visit afsfitness.com.