Using Heart rate monitors for Badminton

**illusionistpro** · 03-30-2009, 11:47 PM

Does any one here have a heart rate monitor they use for badminton? I saw a friend wearing one the other day but wasnt really using it as a monitor, just really as a watch, but it made a lot of sense to me if you did use it, especially for training. I also recently watched a video with Jonas Rasmussen and he was doing footwork and suggested using a heart rate monitor to keep your pace and not working overly hard.

**Kee_Lee** · 04-02-2009, 05:09 AM

I thought about it because I have a heart rate monitor for running. But I just got laughed off by my friends because they thought I was showing off my new equipment. Thinking back, it may be useful for aerobic exercise such as a footwork exercise. Not too sure of the benefit during a match though.

**extremenanopowe** · 04-02-2009, 07:43 AM

extreme cases maybe...

**Kelvin** · 04-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Yep, they're fantastic for monitoring the old ticker...

Also great to keep within a certain intensity level!

POLAR all the way!!!

***Oldhand*** · 04-02-2009, 12:44 PM

One of my friends uses a HRM, a wrist-worn type.
He had a mild heart attack about two years ago.

The chap is very fond of badminton and still plays it.
He wasn't a very fast mover - and now he is slower.

Rather than exert himself too much, he plays a crafty game.
It works well against players above his age but not against younger ones.

Seeing him check the HRM after every rally is a bit disconcerting.
His doctor told him that he must keep the beats to below 140/min.

For those of us who know about this, it's difficult to play normally when he is on the opposing team. For instance, every time I prepare to drive cross-court or punch to the back or float a sharp drop, I find myself automatically changing the shot to make it 'easier' for him. And very often, this generosity costs us the rally and the point

I haven't played with him for nearly five months now.
But he is still active, preferring to play in a private gymnasium with those he knows, rather than with a general group in one of the public sports halls.

**illusionistpro** · 04-03-2009, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Oldhand

One of my friends uses a HRM, a wrist-worn type.
He had a mild heart attack about two years ago.

The chap is very fond of badminton and still plays it.
He wasn't a very fast mover - and now he is slower.

Rather than exert himself too much, he plays a crafty game.
It works well against players above his age but not against younger ones.

Seeing him check the HRM after every rally is a bit disconcerting.
His doctor told him that he must keep the beats to below 140/min.

For those of us who know about this, it's difficult to play normally when he is on the opposing team. For instance, every time I prepare to drive cross-court or punch to the back or float a sharp drop, I find myself automatically changing the shot to make it 'easier' for him. And very often, this generosity costs us the rally and the point

I haven't played with him for nearly five months now.
But he is still active, preferring to play in a private gymnasium with those he knows, rather than with a general group in one of the public sports halls.

Sounds like good feedback that it is a useful tool and does work. It also sounds like you are a compassionate friend. Its not worth winning a game at the sake of your opponents health.

**Born2BeMild** · 04-09-2009, 03:09 AM

Hi all.

I use a Polar F7 heart rate monitor every time I play. There isn't a medical reason or a 'specific' badminton related reason. I just like to know how many calories I've burned over a session.
I'm at the gym 3 nights a week and play Badminton once a week.
What I have discovered from using my Polar is just what great exercise Badminton is. For example, a 1 1/4 hour session at the gym consisting of treadmill cross training, 5000 metre row & 8km static bike ride at 90/95 revolutions per minute yields a return of 1050-1150 calories burnt 30% of which come from fat.
A 2 hour Badminton session which probably equates to about 1 1/2 hour actual playing time (and I'm being generous there!) yields a higher calories burn plus a higher % fat burn. Usually 50%.
So not only is Badminton enjoyable to play, it's also one of the best exercises there is.

**Luka89** · 04-09-2009, 03:52 PM

The fat burn is higher because of the intervals in badminton. If you train in the gym more on intense intervals your fat burn will also be higher..

**Andy05** · 04-12-2009, 05:04 PM

Unfortunately heart rate monitors are only able to give you an estimate of calorie useage and % fat burned.
Each person at the same heart rate will use different energy systems, the monitors can't really check this so don't rely fully on the reading.

**abans** · 01-14-2013, 10:22 PM

I just bought a Polar RS300X mid level HRM to track my performance in terms of burning cals. I like badminton as an exercise, but I dont play in competitions. I enjoy playing a lot so wanted to measure what it does to my body in terms of a workout.
I used it for the first time today. My strap was a little loose so I lost signal a few times. I guess I need to tighten it more for all the jumps in Badminton. Overall, it worked well. I got to a max 88% heart rate and average 75% which is pretty good!!!
The soft strap was very comfortable. I just wore the catch on the left side as I play with my right. And it was quite comfortable. I probably forgot about it while playing.
So, if you want to know how your playing session went, it seems like a great idea. Know that it wont make you a better badminton player. But, it will tell you if you are being lazy on the court :-)