can my HR monitor be right?

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

I read about the HR others typically reach doing interval workouts and its 170 at maximum. My HR as measured by the monitor usually is around 175-190 - very high. Can this be right?

 

[kellymom]

I bet your monitor is right and you just have a different heart rate reaction. I typically reach 190-200 at the top (like during Imax's and the like) and that's way off on the typical "chart". I've always wondered what that meant. During regular step segments I'm around 160. So, no advice for you, but you're not alone

Kelly

 

[Bobalita229]

I just asked cathe a question along the same line in the ask Cathe forum. My question was based on the Imax's. I was wondering what is expected to be the propper or safe training heart rates for these type of workouts....I really dont't let my heart rate go any higher than 170 so i modify...should i push harder?????

 

[Fit_mommy]

If you figure out your resting heart rate then you can figure out your max heart rate and your target training zone. These are the #'s you should use to judge if you are working too hard or not. There are web sites all over the net that will calculate this stuff for you.

HTH.

 

[pixie9]

yes, this formula is called the Kavornen formula. You subtract your age from 220,then subtract your resting Hr, then multiply by your intensity level desired(80%=.80),and add back in your resting heart rate. You can change the intensity to give yourself a range, like mulitplying by .60-.80(60%-80%). This should be more accurate than just subtracting your age from 220 alone.
carolyn

 

[Dorothy]

It is interesting that the above formula, (220-resting HR) * .75 + resting HR gave me the same number as 220-age.

I was told resting heart rate has nothing to do with maximum heartrate. The best way to know maximum heart rate is to test it. There are various sites on the web that give ideas(2 minute step test, 5 minute walk test). I have tried all of these, and my max comes out to be 220-age which is 176.

For the imaxes, my highest range I have gotten to is 158 and my working range is around 126-140 depending on the step portion.

 

[kellymom]

Hey there, I wanted to post again after doing some detective work. First of all, from what I found out formulas using age and precentages can easily be skewed if you are pretty fit. Resting heart rate can mislead, too. I talked with a trusted trainer at my gym and she suggested using formulas as a guide, but paying attention to how you feel at certain heart rates as well as how long it takes your heart rate to recover to figure what zone you are in at certain heart rates(a metabolic test is most accurate, but they do cost money).

Using a formula that accounts for fitness level and looking for physical signs of exertion put my anaerobic threshold at about 185-190, and my max fat zone between 150-175. When you reach your anaerobic threshhold you should be breathing completely through your mouth, very mentally focused, only able to say a few words, and not able to sustain the activity for more than several minutes (as in an Imax blast). In the max fat burning zone you should feel as if you could go on for quite awhile and say some sentences. I recover from 190 down to 150 in about thirty seconds, which the trainer said was good. My resting heart rate is about 60 last time I checked, but it's easy to mess that up if you haven't been still long enough.

This was long, I know, but hopefully it helped. I know I've been frustrated in the past by formulas not fitting me, so I know how you feel.

Kelly

 

[pixie9]

Hi Kelley-
I was wondering if you could give me the formula that accounts for individual fitness levels. I understand using the RPE and the Borg scale but was unaware of another formula (besides doing a V02 max) that accounts for individual fitness.
Thank you-
carolyn