As exercise professionals we acknowledge that
training + recovery = performance improvement. However, we seem to have always struggled with valid, reliable ways to measure when our clients have recovered adequately and are ready to go’ for the next session. Here comes the ithlete app.
What is it?
ithlete is an iphone app that measures heart rate variability (HRV). The heart speeds up when you inhale, and slows down when you exhale the difference is known as heart-rate variability.
What does this tell us?
A high HRV combined with a normal resting pulse is good news; you can train hard that day. A low reading means you should take it easy as you are at higher risk for overtraining through incomplete recovery.
How does it work?
The chest strap that you use in conjunction with a heart rate monitor communicates with the receiver that is attached to your iPhone. The software then measures HRV and provides a figure (remember, higher is better in terms of recovery) and a recommendation for training: Train, Train Easy or Rest. The software also tracks how your HRV changes over the day, week and month.
How much is it?
The application can be downloaded for $12.99, but you also need to buy a receiver and a chest strap for $84.99. If you already have a chest strap that you use with your heart rate monitor then you can just buy the receiver for $49.99, along with the app.
Where can I find out more?
Check out the
ithlete website.
