Consistently exceeding max heart rate...

[sue320]

but still very able to do the workouts...I'm not dying. I am out of shape due to taking 10 weeks down but getting back into things. Am I negating fat loss? I can't find anything when I google this question so thought I'd post here. Links to such discussion/information would be great!

TIA

Sue <><

 

[Rose11]

Your question has been debated over and over. When you exceed your heart rate your body gets its fuel from its immediate source i.e. carbohydrates (to break them down quickly and have your cells get the ATP for energy) and not fat. When you exceed your max heart rate as it can happen when you're either starting over again or trying interval training workouts like IMax your body is not burning fat as it would if you stayed in your zone, however you still burn more total calories. Which brings us to another debate is it better to burn fat or burn calories?...

 

[candi]

UGH x(

 

[AndreaL]

How are you figuring your max HR? If you are using the 220 minus age formula it is probably wrong. During a VO2 Max test I hit 195. According the charts my max is 191. Brenda from Cathe's workouts is a few years older than I and has an even higher max heart rate. So, the age formula is only a ballpark.

Andrea

 

[Bunbun]

>How are you figuring your max HR? If you are using the 220
>minus age formula it is probably wrong.

Interesting--do you have any more info on that? Is it possible that your max HR gets higher as you get fitter? Would love to read more.

 

[MadnNatsmom]

It is not possible to exceed your maximum heart rate. If you do, that means your maximum heart rate is not your maximum.

You're probably referring to the higher end of your TARGET heart rate (55%-90% of your maximum heart rate is what is recommended by ACSM).

The formula of using 220 minus your age is more conservative than the Karvonen formula which factors in your resting heart rate:

1. 220 (minus) age = estimated max HR
2. estimated max HR (minus) resting HR = HR reserve (HRR)
3. HRR X percentage (e.g., 70%) = percent of HRR
4. percent of HRR + resting HR = target HR


For myself, the formula 220 (minus) age yields the range of 118-155, whereas the Karvonen formula results in the range of 135-161 which is much more accurate.

Your heart rate will actually DECREASE as you get fitter, not increase. Your heart becomes more efficient and pumps more blood more forcefully resulting in the necessity of fewer heart beats.

 

[sue320]

Thank you for that information! Yes, you're right....I was meaning the end of my TARGET heart rate....changes things a bit to understand this.

Thank you again!

Sue <><

 

[Rose11]

I assumed you were referring to your target heart rate zone and I based my reply on that.

 

[AndreaL]

>>>Interesting--do you have any more info on that? Is it possible
>that your max HR gets higher as you get fitter? Would love to
>read more.

Your max HR is just that. YOUR max heart rate. So, while I have a max of say, 195, someone the same age and fitness level as I may have a max of 185. It's mostly genetics from what I understand. In my comparison using Brenda, her higher max doesn't mean she isn't as fit as me. She is actually fitter/more fit(?) than I. Her genes just give her a different heart rate.

Once you know your heart rate zones you can decide whether you want to do an aerobic workout, a threshold workout, or an anaerobic (interval) workout. Some studies show that going anaerobic during every workout is not good. If you work in some easy days, you'll be able to work even harder on your interval days, and raise your fitness level even more.

I hope this makes sense. I am in no means an expert. I've just been trying to learn a lot about it.

Andrea