For Those Who Monitor There Heart Rate

I have been walking every day for several months now, and monitoring my heat rate with a chest strap heart rate monitor.

When I fist started I walked at closer to a 3.5 mph pace, was in zone 3 & 4 most of the time, and it was a challenge to walk 1 mile.

Now, I can walk up to 5 miles at closer to (if not at) a 4 mph pace, and have trouble getting into zone 3, let alone zone 4. I recently found a park with some very hilly hiking trails, and have been doing 5 miles there at about a 4 mph pace so I can get my heart rate into zone 3 & 4.

I am 58, so my max heart rate is 162 (220 - 58 = 162), so my zone 3 & 4 is between 114 and 136.

Yesterday, I did a 5 mile hike at that park with the hilly trails. Here is a link to my stats for that activity...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/890405172

So my question is...

Is this good for someone my age?

I was told I have COPD, and I do get winded when I am walking up the hills at a fast pace, but I see other people walking up the hills and breathing heavy too. And I am passing them on the way up.

My doctor says he is amazed at how well I am doing with this. I have been doing it for going on 9 months now, and have lost 43 lbs. so far.

I don't have anything to gauge myself with, so I am also curious what other peoples stats are that measure their heart rate on fast pace walks.

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I think you are doing great!! It sounds like you are becoming more fit and getting your heart rate up gets harder to do.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    edited September 2015
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I think you are doing great!! It sounds like you are becoming more fit and getting your heart rate up gets harder to do.

    Thanks. I feel like I am doing good, but have nothing to gauge myself to.

    Maybe someone will post their stats for comparison.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    You sound pretty fit to me. It sounds like your doctor is on board with you too. All sounds good. Carry on!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I found that exercising has reduced my walking heart rate to the point where I have to do little spurts of jogging if I want to keep the rate in what my HRM regards as the target zone.

    I'm 54, 5'-10", 175 lbs my HRmax is about 175. I'm a bit anaemic so if I run my heart rate is over 160.

    This is me walking (plus a bit of jogging) round in circles for charity @bcalvanese - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/466096465

    Ambling around the countryside - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/339823176
    It's a bit flat round here :-)
  • AspenDan
    AspenDan Posts: 703 Member
    I need to do more research on this topic so thanks for starting the thread.
    I'm 27 and when I max out on the stationary bike, I get up to 165...I too have no idea is that's too much, or if I should try to push harder.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I need to do more research on this topic so thanks for starting the thread.
    I'm 27 and when I max out on the stationary bike, I get up to 165...I too have no idea is that's too much, or if I should try to push harder.

    I max out at that on an actual bike and I'm twice you're age, so it sounds like you can build up to higher work rates if your Doc is OK with your heart health etc. Is that as fast as your legs will go round, or the work rate against the load that limits you ?
  • yash505
    yash505 Posts: 9 Member
    i am over 60 usually do 40mins on treadmill in our gym at 5.3 km/hr below 140heart rate, it goes over 180 when playing badminton sometime over 180 beats per min, i think you are doing fine
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    I need to do more research on this topic so thanks for starting the thread.
    I'm 27 and when I max out on the stationary bike, I get up to 165...I too have no idea is that's too much, or if I should try to push harder.

    Let's not hijack another thread and make it about you.
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    I have been walking every day for several months now, and monitoring my heat rate with a chest strap heart rate monitor.

    When I fist started I walked at closer to a 3.5 mph pace, was in zone 3 & 4 most of the time, and it was a challenge to walk 1 mile.

    Now, I can walk up to 5 miles at closer to (if not at) a 4 mph pace, and have trouble getting into zone 3, let alone zone 4. I recently found a park with some very hilly hiking trails, and have been doing 5 miles there at about a 4 mph pace so I can get my heart rate into zone 3 & 4.

    I am 58, so my max heart rate is 162 (220 - 58 = 162), so my zone 3 & 4 is between 114 and 136.

    Yesterday, I did a 5 mile hike at that park with the hilly trails. Here is a link to my stats for that activity...

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/890405172

    So my question is...

    Is this good for someone my age?

    I was told I have COPD, and I do get winded when I am walking up the hills at a fast pace, but I see other people walking up the hills and breathing heavy too. And I am passing them on the way up.

    My doctor says he is amazed at how well I am doing with this. I have been doing it for going on 9 months now, and have lost 43 lbs. so far.

    I don't have anything to gauge myself with, so I am also curious what other peoples stats are that measure their heart rate on fast pace walks.

    Sounds like you are doing awesome!! Congrats!
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    HR is a VERY individualized thing. The gauge you should be comparing your HR to is your own past records.

    For example - I have a VERY high working HR. Always have - from back when I was fat and out of shape, to now when I am fit, thinner, and very active (I am a triathlete and train anywhere from 6-10 hours a week in swim/bike/run). My average HR when I run is now in the high 170s/low 180s, depending on if it is an easy run, an interval run, a race, etc (with a max HR anywhere from mid-180 up to 202 in a race). But my recovery time is VERY fast - my HR is back down to 120 or less within no more than 5 minutes. And my resting HR is in the low-to-mid-50s (if my resting HR gets up over 65, I know I'm either starting to get sick, or starting to overtrain). These numbers are down from an avg hr in the high 180s, max hr in the 190s, resting hr in the upper 60s just a year ago (before I started seriously training with a coach for a Half Ironman.

    Conversely, I have a friend who is the same age as me, and roughly the same weight and fitness level (as of last summer, anyway). HER average working HR never goes over 140, and her max HR is in the 160s. Much different from mine, even though at the time we were comparing our data, our stats were very similar.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Sounds like you are making great progress! I too walk daily and have been amazed with my progress over 15 mo, but I don't use HRM

    Stats of others can be interesting, but please evaluate yourself based on doc advice in light of COPD, not other people. Keep it going!
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You sound pretty fit to me. It sounds like your doctor is on board with you too. All sounds good. Carry on!

    Thanks. My doctor is telling me to do it as often as possible. I am also thinking of ways to get some muscular training. I am thinking of getting a Total Gym.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    I found that exercising has reduced my walking heart rate to the point where I have to do little spurts of jogging if I want to keep the rate in what my HRM regards as the target zone.

    I'm 54, 5'-10", 175 lbs my HRmax is about 175. I'm a bit anaemic so if I run my heart rate is over 160.

    This is me walking (plus a bit of jogging) round in circles for charity @bcalvanese - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/466096465

    Ambling around the countryside - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/339823176
    It's a bit flat round here :-)

    Thank you very much. This is very helpful, and I can see that I am doing pretty good so far. I did try running a little and hurt my knee from the impact. I didn't know the impact material on running shoes wears out between 300 and 500 miles, and I had well over 1,000 miles on my shoes. I just got some Nike Air Max running shoes, and as soon as my knee completely heals up, I am going to try the jog/walk thing, and slowly work my way up to jogging.

    I see you have a Garmin too. I just got a Garmin fenix 3, and love it.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    I need to do more research on this topic so thanks for starting the thread.
    I'm 27 and when I max out on the stationary bike, I get up to 165...I too have no idea is that's too much, or if I should try to push harder.

    There is a lot of information on this on the web. Probably the most important thing to know is about 'training effect". It is necessary in order to increase your cardio capacity. You should keep your heart rate in a cardio zone for a minimum of 20 minutes non stop, and a minimum of 3 times a week to get a minimum training effect. I prefer to get a better training effect, so I do a half hour to an hour, and I do it every day.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    yash505 wrote: »
    i am over 60 usually do 40mins on treadmill in our gym at 5.3 km/hr below 140heart rate, it goes over 180 when playing badminton sometime over 180 beats per min, i think you are doing fine

    Thank you. sounds like you are doing fine too.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    elphie754 wrote: »
    I need to do more research on this topic so thanks for starting the thread.
    I'm 27 and when I max out on the stationary bike, I get up to 165...I too have no idea is that's too much, or if I should try to push harder.

    Let's not hijack another thread and make it about you.
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    I have been walking every day for several months now, and monitoring my heat rate with a chest strap heart rate monitor.

    When I fist started I walked at closer to a 3.5 mph pace, was in zone 3 & 4 most of the time, and it was a challenge to walk 1 mile.

    Now, I can walk up to 5 miles at closer to (if not at) a 4 mph pace, and have trouble getting into zone 3, let alone zone 4. I recently found a park with some very hilly hiking trails, and have been doing 5 miles there at about a 4 mph pace so I can get my heart rate into zone 3 & 4.

    I am 58, so my max heart rate is 162 (220 - 58 = 162), so my zone 3 & 4 is between 114 and 136.

    Yesterday, I did a 5 mile hike at that park with the hilly trails. Here is a link to my stats for that activity...

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/890405172

    So my question is...

    Is this good for someone my age?

    I was told I have COPD, and I do get winded when I am walking up the hills at a fast pace, but I see other people walking up the hills and breathing heavy too. And I am passing them on the way up.

    My doctor says he is amazed at how well I am doing with this. I have been doing it for going on 9 months now, and have lost 43 lbs. so far.

    I don't have anything to gauge myself with, so I am also curious what other peoples stats are that measure their heart rate on fast pace walks.

    Sounds like you are doing awesome!! Congrats!

    Thank you.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    gobonas99 wrote: »
    HR is a VERY individualized thing. The gauge you should be comparing your HR to is your own past records.

    For example - I have a VERY high working HR. Always have - from back when I was fat and out of shape, to now when I am fit, thinner, and very active (I am a triathlete and train anywhere from 6-10 hours a week in swim/bike/run). My average HR when I run is now in the high 170s/low 180s, depending on if it is an easy run, an interval run, a race, etc (with a max HR anywhere from mid-180 up to 202 in a race). But my recovery time is VERY fast - my HR is back down to 120 or less within no more than 5 minutes. And my resting HR is in the low-to-mid-50s (if my resting HR gets up over 65, I know I'm either starting to get sick, or starting to overtrain). These numbers are down from an avg hr in the high 180s, max hr in the 190s, resting hr in the upper 60s just a year ago (before I started seriously training with a coach for a Half Ironman.

    Conversely, I have a friend who is the same age as me, and roughly the same weight and fitness level (as of last summer, anyway). HER average working HR never goes over 140, and her max HR is in the 160s. Much different from mine, even though at the time we were comparing our data, our stats were very similar.

    I have my max heart rate on my Garmin fenix 3 set to 220 - age, so mine is 162. I have noticed that my HR recovers quicker, and my resting HR went from 70 - 80 range into the 60's.

    I guess that training effect stuff really works... :)
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Sounds like you are making great progress! I too walk daily and have been amazed with my progress over 15 mo, but I don't use HRM

    Stats of others can be interesting, but please evaluate yourself based on doc advice in light of COPD, not other people. Keep it going!

    Thank you and congratulations on your progress too. Yes, my doctor is totally on board with this. He wants me to do it more... :)
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Sounds like you're doing great brother and the profile looks outstanding! Keep it up!

    Does Garmin have the ability to run comparative analysis of your workout profile? This is one of my favorite perks of using HRMs - visible data where you can see improvement.

    When I find a shoe I like I buy them in bulk on some buy one get one 1/2 off or similar deal - I write the date I start using them with a Sharpee and change them out after I hit 500 mi.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Sounds like you're doing great brother and the profile looks outstanding! Keep it up!

    Does Garmin have the ability to run comparative analysis of your workout profile? This is one of my favorite perks of using HRMs - visible data where you can see improvement.

    When I find a shoe I like I buy them in bulk on some buy one get one 1/2 off or similar deal - I write the date I start using them with a Sharpee and change them out after I hit 500 mi.

    Thank you. my fenix 3 has a lot of features that I did not explore yet. not sure if it has the ability to compare workouts, but it may.

    I was doing research on what the best running shoes are for running on hard surfaces, and stumbled across the information about the impact material wearing out after 300 to 500 miles. I knew my Asics had well over 1,000 miles on them, so that is probably why I hut my knee. I felt a whole lot of impact with each step running, and like an x-army idiot, I just kept going... :)

    Got a pair of Nike Air Max Torch 4's now.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Sounds like you're doing great brother and the profile looks outstanding! Keep it up!

    Does Garmin have the ability to run comparative analysis of your workout profile? This is one of my favorite perks of using HRMs - visible data where you can see improvement.

    When I find a shoe I like I buy them in bulk on some buy one get one 1/2 off or similar deal - I write the date I start using them with a Sharpee and change them out after I hit 500 mi.

    Thank you. my fenix 3 has a lot of features that I did not explore yet. not sure if it has the ability to compare workouts, but it may.

    I was doing research on what the best running shoes are for running on hard surfaces, and stumbled across the information about the impact material wearing out after 300 to 500 miles. I knew my Asics had well over 1,000 miles on them, so that is probably why I hut my knee. I felt a whole lot of impact with each step running, and like an x-army idiot, I just kept going... :)

    Got a pair of Nike Air Max Torch 4's now.

    Nice one brother! Amazing what that military mentality did for us - I did the same and blew out my already blown knee just trying to push through it. Working a bit smarter nowadays.

    I run on Brooks at the moment - like slippers for my flippers.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Sounds like you're doing great brother and the profile looks outstanding! Keep it up!

    Does Garmin have the ability to run comparative analysis of your workout profile? This is one of my favorite perks of using HRMs - visible data where you can see improvement.

    When I find a shoe I like I buy them in bulk on some buy one get one 1/2 off or similar deal - I write the date I start using them with a Sharpee and change them out after I hit 500 mi.

    Thank you. my fenix 3 has a lot of features that I did not explore yet. not sure if it has the ability to compare workouts, but it may.

    I was doing research on what the best running shoes are for running on hard surfaces, and stumbled across the information about the impact material wearing out after 300 to 500 miles. I knew my Asics had well over 1,000 miles on them, so that is probably why I hut my knee. I felt a whole lot of impact with each step running, and like an x-army idiot, I just kept going... :)

    Got a pair of Nike Air Max Torch 4's now.

    Nice one brother! Amazing what that military mentality did for us - I did the same and blew out my already blown knee just trying to push through it. Working a bit smarter nowadays.

    I run on Brooks at the moment - like slippers for my flippers.

    I hear ya.

    After I hurt it, I just kept walking every day through the pain until it felt better. I did get a knee brace and wore it on one walk, but it hurt worse with the brace than without it, so I took the brace off and just kept walking on it.

    now it's almost healed up... :)
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    edited September 2015
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    I am 58, so my max heart rate is 162 (220 - 58 = 162), so my zone 3 & 4 is between 114 and 136.

    Just FYI, the 220-age formula is terribly inaccurate. In my case, it predicts a maximum of 173, but the last time I did a test, a few years ago, it was really 192. Other formulas are less problematic but they still are inaccurate for many people.

    The only way to really know is to do a test, but if you've been diagnosed with COPD, that's probably not a good idea.

    Congratulations on your improvement!
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    bwogilvie wrote: »
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    I am 58, so my max heart rate is 162 (220 - 58 = 162), so my zone 3 & 4 is between 114 and 136.

    Just FYI, the 220-age formula is terribly inaccurate. In my case, it predicts a maximum of 173, but the last time I did a test, a few years ago, it was really 192. Other formulas are less problematic but they still are inaccurate for many people.

    The only way to really know is to do a test, but if you've been diagnosed with COPD, that's probably not a good idea.

    Congratulations on your improvement!

    Thanks.

    I did have a stress test a little over a year ago, but it was for a clearance prior to a surgery I needed to remove a section of my colon. I had diverticulitis. The test came out with a slight difference so I had to get a catheterization which showed no blockage, but there was a slight enlarged section at the bottom of my heart, and they said I could have had a mini heart attack at some point.

    That and the COPD news is what made me start thinking about getting back to a good fitness level and healthy weight.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    I'm not seeing an issue.

    Sounds like your getting fitter and require more activity to get your heart pumping. Sounds good to me.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    edited September 2015
    Merkavar wrote: »
    I'm not seeing an issue.

    Sounds like your getting fitter and require more activity to get your heart pumping. Sounds good to me.


    Thanks. I did a mile at a walk/jog with my new running shoes and didn't hurt my knee this time, so now I can start working my way up to jogging. That will get the old ticker ticking... :)
  • Bhlinebee
    Bhlinebee Posts: 71 Member
    For what it's worth I thought I'd share one tip - going from walking to running, look up things related to dynamic stretching before hand and thinks like keeping your plantar fasciitas healthy. Nothing knocks you on your butt faster then severe pain in your legs/heels.

    You are doing fantastic; great progress!
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    Bhlinebee wrote: »
    For what it's worth I thought I'd share one tip - going from walking to running, look up things related to dynamic stretching before hand and thinks like keeping your plantar fasciitas healthy. Nothing knocks you on your butt faster then severe pain in your legs/heels.

    You are doing fantastic; great progress!

    Thanks for the tip.

    I do stretch even before and after walking. I just looked up a few dynamic stretches as well, and will try them next time.