interval training--my HR always over aerobic?

[xxx_dana_xxx]

so i did low max tonight with a HRM for the first time and my heart rate was really high thru the whole thing, it did fluctuate up and down but never into the aerobic zone like its supposed to. my target zone is 120-157 i never went below 169 and spent most of the intervals 1-4 premix over 200. im 35, 150 lbs 5'7 and have been working out with the firm for over a year, switched to cathe with some firm mixed in about 2 months ago--if that info helps at all


is it still interval training if you are never in the aerobic zone and does it really matter? is it okay to work out with your hr that high for so long? am i still burning fat and calories etc? i know i get a great workout and sweat up a storm during all her step stuff i have, so i know im doing SOMETHING .


this is all confusing



any help would be much appreciated thanks


dana

 

[Author]

Hi Dana!

I'm no expert, but I can give you some info that might help. It's possible that you might want to ease yourself into Interval workouts -- you can do variations of the moves -- and do be sure to drink water during an interval workout -- sipping it -- but keeping the muscle hydrated is important.

There are two books that go into this and I think they would both thoroughly answer your questions. One is the book READY, SET, GO! by Phil Campbell (I love this book) and the other is Interval Training by Carl Lewis. Both these books will give you the info you're craving (I know the feeling of wanting info). Both can be gotten (are even discounted) are Borders Books -- www.borders.com -- I think that's the link, but not entirely sure.

Anyway, this is my humble opinion -- but the books are good.;-)

 

[Dutchie42]

Dana, do you actually know what you're HRmax is?

Mine is pretty high (I actually managed to see it go up to 198 recently without spitting my lungs out) and I tend to do intervals at HR170-175 and I'm not even gasping for air.

Maybe your HRmax is high too?

Dutchie

 

[dananmis22]

How do you feel during your workout? do you feel like you are gasping for breath the whole time? do you feel like you can talk through any part of the workout? If your answers are yes and then no, then you need to make some adjustments to make your workout less intense by lowering your step and making your movements slower. You may even have to not use a step at all for the first few tries.

It is recommended that you do at least two-three months of aerobic training before you attempt to do any anaerobic work.

Here is a great link for describing the different heart rate zones and ESTIMATING your max heart rate:
http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/hrm1.htm

 

[xxx_dana_xxx]

hey thank you all for the responses!

i got my estimated heart rate off of my HRM, i also calculated it on several websites--maybe its not right, my HRM is a little cheap

i feel great during the workouts and never really feel that gasping for breath feeling for longer than a bit at the cool down, theres no discomfort. i never do the full interval workouts like IMAX 3, i do the premixes, or try to do as many as i can. i definately feel like im working hard during them, but not over-exerting, i can definately talk during the step parts, not sure about during the blasts. im not new to aerobics, just cathe interval training--like i said i was doing the firm for over a year before i attempted cathe.

man i love her workouts so much, but i guess you all know the feeling lol


dana