DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions. Dear Doc, I work out regularly, usually running, and I recently decided to monitor my heart rate. I am 22 years old and after a run my heart rate is in the 190s and sometimes over 200. I don't feel that I am overworking myself but that just seems too high. I was just wondering if this is normal or if there could be something wrong. I have a Read more

You're asking and I'm answering . . . Dear Fit, I know it's a bad idea to hold onto the handles when using a cardio machine at the gym, however, whenever I am on the treadmill at my gym it is constantly beeping and asking me to, "Hold on for heart rate." What should I do? -Confused Carrie Great question! I know exactly what you mean, and I also know how annoying those interruptions can be, so Read more

In case you're not familiar with heart rate monitors, they usually come with a watch you wear on your wrist, and a chest strap transmitter that you wear around your chest, since it is after all a chest strap. This strap goes next to your skin (sometimes you have to wet it a little with saliva or water to activate it) and it reads your heart rate and transmits the beats per minute to the watch. Read more

The new exercise guidelines recommend getting cardio exercise at moderate intensity. The question is what is moderate intensity for you - how do you find it and measure it? Well, Dr. Margolis, over at Yahoo Health has provided three ways to determine your intensity level. The talk test. If you can hold an amiable conversation, then you are not working in the moderate intensity zone. You need Read more

Dear FitSugar, I have a question, I am trying to get toned and lose a little weight, but I have heard a couple of things. I have heard not to run too fast so you stay in your fat burning zone heart rate, but I have also heard it doesn't matter if your heart goes into the endurance zone because you are still burning calories and fat. Which is true? I just want to make sure I am getting the best Read more

In the dead of winter, a summery workout can seem amazing. Now that it's summer, we're always looking for ways to keep cool while still being able to workout. One thing to keep in mind is that the hotter it is, the harder your body has to work when exercising. In order to prevent heatstroke (or other heat related illnesses) you should bring your intensity (how hard you work) down a level on Read more

Recently I posted about ways to reward yourself for a workout well done, and one of those (and my favorite) is taking a sauna. I don't need to tell you about how great it feels. What I do need to tell you is you to hold off on jumping into the sauna, hot tub or steam room immediately after finishing your workout. The heat from outdoors combined with the heat of the sauna can have a detrimental Read more