Measuring Fitness

[944fan]

I've been swimming, cycling and a spot of running to lose weight as pretty much the only goal. Now my weight is nearing my target I am looking more towards now actually increasing fitness on top and increasing my race competitiveness.

I have a HRM monitor but I am ensure how I measure my fitness and how I then compare in a month, two months etc to see if I am getting fitter.

There are obvious signs such as being able to swim further or cover a set distance faster but is there a better measure I can do?

Is there any good books on the subject? I also want to use the data to develop a training program in each discipline.

[Burrow01]

What model of HRM do you have ?

I use a Polar one which has a test function, which broadly equates to your VO2Max - you can see this value increase as you get fitter

[mcex]

Cooper test for starters, otherwise a full ergometric test to judge your fitness and your true training zones.

[Vladimir]

Enter some races, see how we'll you do; that's my technique.

[Hoofy]

I understand the PH way is to wait for the hottest day of the year and do some sprint training in your jeans in the midday sun.

If you see stars and flashing, you're unfit. If you pass out, you're very unfit.

[mrmr96]

Bleep test is pretty standard?

[944fan]

Burrow01 said:

What model of HRM do you have ?

I use a Polar one which has a test function, which broadly equates to your VO2Max - you can see this value increase as you get fitter

Garmin Forerunner 301. Doesn't have that function that I know of.

[944fan]

Hoofy said:

I understand the PH way is to wait for the hottest day of the year and do some sprint training in your jeans in the midday sun.

If you see stars and flashing, you're unfit. If you pass out, you're very unfit.

And if you die?

[Hoofy]

944fan said:

Hoofy said:

I understand the PH way is to wait for the hottest day of the year and do some sprint training in your jeans in the midday sun.

If you see stars and flashing, you're unfit. If you pass out, you're very unfit.

And if you die?

Blame wossname for coming up with the idea. (See the other thread.)

[Vocal Minority]

944fan said:

And if you die?

Then you are a member of mumsnet?

[bakerstreet]

944fan said:

I've been swimming, cycling and a spot of running to lose weight as pretty much the only goal. Now my weight is nearing my target I am looking more towards now actually increasing fitness on top and increasing my race competitiveness.

I have a HRM monitor but I am ensure how I measure my fitness and how I then compare in a month, two months etc to see if I am getting fitter.

There are obvious signs such as being able to swim further or cover a set distance faster but is there a better measure I can do?

Is there any good books on the subject? I also want to use the data to develop a training program in each discipline.

What is your chosen race? Triathlon?, swimming? cycling?

I used to use speed to judge if I was getting any fitter, but as I get older, I think PBs are going to become harder to achieve, so maybe you could judge on how you feel after exercise. Recovering pulse rate would be a good place to start.