target heart rate

[mom-in-montana]

I am very confused as to what is my appropriate target heart rate. I am 46 years old and have been exercising for 20 years, not faithfully. I don't even feel like I have to open my mouth to breath at 140 bpm. I can do your hardcore series low max (except for keeping up with all the blasts!) without feeling tired afterwards. I am trying to lose 20 pounds, my current BMI is 29, and am not losing any weight or inches. Is it wrong to workout at 155 to 165 bpm at my age? I am defeating my weight loss, or is increasing my intensity good for increasing my metabolism? To add to my madness, I am also perimenapausal but fortunately a pear not an apple!

 

[Muffin Top]

This is a good site to find your range as well as your maximum heart rate.
http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm

 

[tigerb8]

Using that calculator says I should be working out between 122 and 157. At 157 I'm just beginning to breath hard. I usually work out between 160-180. 180 is my top and I can't stay there for long periods of time but I'm fairly certain I would not see any results between 122 and 157.

Do most of you workout beyond your target zone? I'm sure Cathe workouts must keep you at or above your target zone for most of the workout.

Share with us. Should we tone it down or continue working out above our target zone. And if you stay within your zone, how to you ever increase your stamina and endurance?

Thanks!
Tracy

 

[twosquared]

Try this heart rate calculator - it uses resting heart

http://www.polarusa.com/targetzone/default.asp

 

[Muffin Top]

>Do most of you workout beyond your target zone? I'm sure Cathe
>workouts must keep you at or above your target zone for most
>of the workout.

Yes! That's why I like the formula for maximum (220-age). With Cathe workouts, I rarely stay in the range for more than 20 minutes. Of course, that changes the more fit we become.


And I was just hoping to help the OP by getting her a calculator since it had been a day and no one had responded--that makes me feel bad. If it was an inaccurate one, I apologize!

 

[tigerb8]

I don't think the calculator you provided was inaccurate at all. I've checked various sources and all are about the same range. I do like the 220-age as the top of the range. I've not heard that one before but it is the rate at which I usually workout.

Thanks for the info.