Heart rate monitoring

[kli]

Hi !
Last week, a friend of mine lent me his Polar heart rate monitor, so that I could have a real "look" at my heart rate... Well, during Imax I was at 185 bpm during the intervals, 140/150 during the aerobic phase. And during MIC, I was sometimes at 197 (!!!), and on an average of 175. Now I feel anxious...:-( I am not used to watch my heart rate, so I don't know if it's OK or if I should worry. Can anyone help me, please ?

Thanks in advance,

Karina

 

[Mckmain]

I can tell you mine is much lower. I usually average 135 or so during Imax 1, I have seen it as high as 145-150 during the intervals. It does depend also on your age and fitness level. Everyone has a different Maximum heart rate...that is the highest you can go. My Max is about 183, I usually see that when I am running very fast or a steep uphill. If you can, pick up a paperback heart Rate Monitor book. Sally Edwards has some good ones out there. They help alot.......Carole

 

[kli]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for your answer. I think I am too high. I manage to do MIC without stopping, though gasping for air while doing some of Cathe's intervals, but never could I imagine I was so high... I will follow your advice and try to pick up a paperback for help ;-)

 

[dani21496]

Oh, that sounds kind of high. During Imax my HR is around 135 and
around 145-150 during the intervals. During recovery it drops back down quickly.

When running fast it gets up into the 160's.

 

[balletgrrl]

How exactly do you calculate your heart rate without a monitor? I have a feeling I might be getting up a little too high also with some of my workouts and would like to know for sure. I might like to pause after one of the IMAX intervals, march in place, and check my heart rate.

Also, if you DO have a really high heart rate during some of these workouts, what are the negative effects of this? I have heard it is not good to go too high, but I'm not exactly sure why. And what can you do to improve your heart rate? Lots of questions here, I know. I would appreciate any help!

Alison

 

[dani21496]

>How exactly do you calculate your heart rate without a
>monitor?

"Taking your Pulse - The pulse is most commonly taken either at the carotid artery on the neck or at the wrist. Use your index finger and middle finger to locate your pulse (never use your thumb). Use a very light touch and avoid pressing too hard. You may use a 6 or 10 second pulse check, then multiply by the appropriate number (10 or 6 respectively) to get a 60 second count." (From the link below)

I'd rather use the heart rate monitor than taking my pulse because when I stop to take my pulse, my HR goes down significantly just by stopping. With the monitor I can see my HR when I am actually jumping or stepping or whatever it is I'm doing.

Here's a link to find out if you are going too high:

http://www.fitzones.com/members/Fitness/heartrate_zones.asp

(It shows you how to figure out your resting heart rate too. Mine is about 50-52)