Dr. Andy Galpin avatar

Dexa/Dr. Andy Galpin

Learn more
Published Mar 13, 2024

The Gear System to Measure Exercise Intensity Ft. Andy Galpin

Dr. Rena Malik and Andy Galpin delve into the complexities of measuring exercise intensity with the revolutionary Gear system and discuss vital health metrics for longevity, focusing on the importance of muscle mass and strength.
Episode Highlights
Rena Malik, MD Podcast logo

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Questions from this episode

Episode Highlights

  • Heart Rate

    Dr. and discuss the effectiveness of using heart rate to gauge exercise intensity. Andy expresses skepticism about the value of heart rate zones, pointing out their variability and lack of precision. He explains that without knowing one's maximum heart rate, these zones are essentially meaningless.

    If you've never had that accurately tested, then those zones mean nothing to you because they're so variable in people.

    ---

    Rena and Andy agree that heart rate zones can change frequently, making them unreliable for consistent measurement 1 2.

       

    Gear System

    Andy introduces the Gear system, a method developed by Brian McKenzie, for measuring exercise intensity based on breathing techniques. This system categorizes intensity into four gears, from nasal-only breathing to mouth-only breathing. Andy emphasizes that this method auto-regulates intensity and provides a straightforward way to gauge workout levels.

    If you can do this thing nasal only, that's gear two. If you have to go either nose and mouth or mouth to nose, it doesn't matter. But using both, gear three.

    ---

    Rena finds this approach practical and easy to implement for most people 3.

Related Episodes