Would you expect your max heart rate to increase as you get fitter / lose lard?
I've lost a bit of timber over the past couple of months. Today, whilst pushing it out on the bike, I noticed that my max heart rate is greater than previously. I've not been actively recording it, and so it may be a little anecdotal, but its probably increased by 4 or 5 bpm.
I'm guessing this is a good thing?
TBH I've always assumed that max HR doesn't go up, more that you are more efficient (i.e. producing more power) for the same given HR.
Resting HR can go down as you gain fitness. Unless you're like me and woefully unfit but with a resting HR in the low 40s..!
Mmmm - will have to measure the resting HR
good question. i just got a garmin so have started recording rides now. In the programming bit I just used the 220-age estimate for HRmax and then let the computer work out zones for me. On that basis i should have a HRmax of 177 but on rides so far I've fairly consistently only peaked at 167 or 168 (95% of theoretical max)
I know it's the only true way but I have no interest in doing a proper HRmax test as it sounds deeply unpleasant, but how close do others get to their HRmax when out on 'normal' rides. The fact I've hit the same value multiple times indicates to me it must be getting close - equally I would accept that i might squeeze a few more bpm out shortly before blacking out (hitting 168 left me feeling dizzy but not actually passed out!!)
Unless you'd had 2 proper RAMP tests in a lab I reckon that's within margins of error. OMITN has it as I understand it.. it's far cooler ticking along at a decent pace and seeing your hearts just ticking over, rather than having some near unobtainable peak go up anyway.
Pretty sure you have different maximums for different sports/loads though?
should i be dead?
anecdotally, a mate of mine (really) had kitted out for his ride and then decided he needed to 'lose a pound of ballast' before setting out. Whilst perusing the STW calendar on the back of the door he idly noticed that his heart rate was at an all time low. Now, with 2 small kids I know that time spent alone in the littlest room is basically all the spare time i get now, but is it possible this is the maximum relaxation activity known to man?
What's your min heart rate, and what were you doing to get it?
What's your min heart rate, and what were you doing to get it?
Lowest I've measured is 44. Sitting on the sofa testing HRM after I put a new battery in.
My theoretical max is 175 (220-35). Recently I got to 192 in a cross race. But, like I said, I am very unfit....
My theoretical max is 175 (220-35).
Mmmm my theoretical max using that formula is lower than the figure I recorded today
From my own personal experience I have slightly increased my Max HR, I put this down to increased fitness meaning I'm able to push myself harder and obtain I higher HR. The MAX was obtained while pushing my speed while climbing on the road.
Not sure it helps but thats my 2penth..
Over the years I have tracked my HR a lot.
My max HR has remained pretty similar regardless of fitness levels. What I would say is that on some days I hit 187 and am ready to pop. On other days that peak may be 192.
It varies day to day but not based on fitness. It seems to be a natural variation cycle (or maybe measuring error?)
I do notice much faster HR recovery when fitter and a slight reduction in resting HR (my resting rate is pretty low all the time)
The only other (odd?) thing I notice is that when I am nearing peak fitness (as I build to an event say) my HR rises as a I breathe in and slows considerably as I breathe out. Notice this in the recovery times between intervals for example.
My understanding of this is that your max heart rate is not significantly altered by exercise. Assuming that the measuring equipment is accurate then i'd say that as you've got fitter you've become more comfortable exercising in the +95% range and are pushing a bit harder than previously. You might eek out another couple of bpm yet.
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