Heartrate question

S

samIam11

Cathlete
Hello Everyone-

I have a question about heartrate...

I wear a heart rate monitor-Polar Msomething...and it has what's called an "ownzone"...based on age, intensity etc...I have mine set on high--so basically the high level of the heart rate zone...but hears my question

I am female and 35...getting in better cardio shape...I have low blood pressure 105/72 resting heart rate 58... when I work out my average heart rate is about 166, I can do that for the entire workout...If I push what I feel is in a level 7/8 it goes to about 172-175...if I am going all out...basically sucking wind..it is about 182...

all these numbers are outside my "high heart rate range" range is 144-167...and yet I feel like I am getting a good intense workout when I am in the 170's...is this too high or should I just pay attention to what I feel?

Thanks for any input
Samantha
 
I'll give you my opinion FWIW. Heart rate ranges are just like weight ranges - good for the general populace, but not necessarily geared toward the individual. Some methods of determining heart rate ranges don't take into account your personal fitness levels, things that you mentioned, like blood pressure and resting heart rate. They are good references for people starting to get in shape so that they have some frame of reference if they choose to use the heart rate method. There are some formulas, like the Karvonean formula (do a google search and you'll find websites to figure heart rates using it) that take into account your age and resting heart rate, if you still want a number to use with the heartrate monitor. This is much more accurate than other simplified methods. If you already use this or this is what the monitor is calculating, then I guess it's best to keep an eye on the heartrate, but also keep an eye on how you're feeling.

That said, I tend to go with how I feel during the workout than with the monitor. It makes sense that the fitter you become, the higher heart rate you can sustain, or the fitter you become the harder you'll be able to work your heart and other muscles. You will be able to workout at a higher heart rate range. Think back to when you first started working out - is there any way you could have worked out at the level you do now? Probably not - your fitness level has improved and so your heart rate range has changed.

HTH,
SCB
 
I agree with SCB about putting heart rate in context of other exertion measurements. The Karvonen Formula is a better calculator of your aerobic training zone, as SCB said. Also, understand that no heart rate measurement takes into account stroke volume, i.e. the amount of blood pumping through the arteries and veins with each beat. Heart rate multiplied by stroke volume gives you total cardiac output; when you don't know your stroke volume you only have half the picture. Thus, when taking a manual heart rate make sure that it is a FAST pulse but also a STRONG pulse (thud thud thud, not dit-dit-dit).

Incorporate The Talk Test (you should breathing hard enough to only be able to speak briefly, you should be breathing DEEPLY and you should be able to feel the oxygen going cleanly into the lungs) as well as the Perceived Exertion tests into your exertion monitoring.

A-Jock
 
Thanks for the input-

I figured I wasnt in danger, as I am not dizzy or lightheaded...just breathing deep.. I just wanted to make sure that this wasn't totally unusual ...or a sign of a bigger issue. The 170's just seem like I have worked out...were as the 150's feel more like 60% exertion...it may be I am off, cuz I like to push myself...but I figured if I could go an extended time in the 160's, good chunk of time in the 170's, then I wasnt pushing too hard...

Thanks again:)
Samantha
 
Take your resting HR and use it in the Karvonen Samantha. I think 170's range is pushing pretty hard. I believe 85% for me is about 173bpm, cannot remember, it's programmed into my HR monitor. You don't want to go off the top of your range either. I have my HR monitor set for 70% to 85% of Karvonen. I also do not go by perceived exertion as I believe most people like to think they are going hard when they are not really doing as much as they think. I have actually seen studies that suggested that more-fit people actually got breathless quicker than non-fit people because their bodies were used to working hard and thus started compensating quicker into the workout.
Also keep in mind that it's impossible to improve your maximum heart rate. It's genetically determined. Your resting HR however, can be lowered through exercise.
Good luck.
Trevor :)
 
Thanks Trevor-

I did the karvonen and 85% is 166 so my range on my heart rate monitor is pretty correct 146-167...so when you talk about intensity...if you stay in the 85% range for your workout with occasional spikes higher...is that considered a good intense workout?..

Thanks
Samantha:)
 
Hi Samantha!
I'd say it depends on how high you want to go but for me, I like to stay in the 70% to 85% range. I tend to really blow off bodyweight when I go berserk with cardio. I don't want to lose muscle either. I try to hold 190#'s on a 6 ft. frame and my metabolism is quite high. Don't spend all your time at the very high end all the time. You'll burn out. You can do intervals in a slightly lower percentage by just keeping an eye on the rate and what makes it go up and down.
Good for you by the way Samantha! You sound like you really are getting after it in your workouts.
Trevor
:)
 
Thanks Trevor-

I like to play around on the machine and go up 2 resistance levels like every two minutes, then change the rpm....then come back down...seems to make the time go by faster...

I don't mean to push it...but I just dont feel like I am working out unless I have to "work" at it..Thats why I wasnt sure if my heart rate was following the norm--it seems on the high side when I feel like I can push more..so I wasnt sure if I was being subjective. Like you said how you dont really know how hard you are working without a heart rate monitor...I thought mine was in the other direction, like my heart rate was higher than my intesity...meaning my extertion level didnt seem in line with the heart rate...Not sure if this is making sense...

Maybe I am just used to "pushing" it and dont feel like I am working out unless I am going all out...hmmmmmmmmmm...

Thanks for the input :)
Samantha
 
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