Can't keep my HR in the zone

AndyBee

I struggle keeping my HR in the target zone. I'll be going along, all hunky dory loving my eliptical. Next thing I know, I look down and see the screen flashing 196-220. My target is 137-166. When I force myself to slow down, I feel like I'm at a crawl. Why is my HR skyrocketing like this? Is it because I'm out of shape? I feel great while it's that high though. I haven't tried talking, because I'm there by myself, but I'm not "out of breath" either. What's the deal?

helenamonks

Mine peaks at about 170, but I know what you mean, it tells me to slow down and when I'm at 150-160 I feel like I'm crawling, i tried breathing differently and that helped a lot, it'll get better the more you do it.

kerriBB37

I struggle keeping my HR in the target zone. I'll be going along, all hunky dory loving my eliptical. Next thing I know, I look down and see the screen flashing 196-220. My target is 137-166. When I force myself to slow down, I feel like I'm at a crawl. Why is my HR skyrocketing like this? Is it because I'm out of shape? I feel great while it's that high though. I haven't tried talking, because I'm there by myself, but I'm not "out of breath" either. What's the deal?

How old are you? 220 is pretty high!

CarterGrt

There are also some medications that monkey with your heart rate too. You didn't mention this, but I thought it was worth throwing out there.

I have a similar issue in that my running is all in a high heart rate zone and not in lower zones. When I train in the lower zones, it feels like I am just crawling along. I am hoping that as I get in better shape, my heart rate on the run comes down.

Good Luck!!!

--Carter

DarcysLosingIt

I have had this issue- spiking in the 190's. Tonight, though, it spiked over 200. I can talk, I am working hard for that 200 HR, not dizzy.
I don't have chest pains or anything. If I didn't have HRM, I would not even know there was an issue.

TrainerRobin

Oh boy. I know this one -- from being a trainer -- but mostly from personal experience.

I have a bit of a heart issue (having to do with rhythm) so I see a cardiologist. When I first took up running again (about a year and a half ago), I ask him about this and we had a little "talk" that lasted about 20 minutes. And for clarity's purpose I did ask him if his advice was so strict because of my "condition" and he said no. The same rules he shared with me applied to everyone.

I had asked him how in the world I could become a runner again, when my heart rate soared above the 80% to 90% rate with barely any jogging. He said that I just needed to stay within my zone, walking if necessary, when it went over 90%. He explained, ad nauseum, why that was noting (long story short) that our hearts are not meant to operate at or over 100% for any extended period of time and he explained the risks of doing that (not a pretty picture). I expressed my frustration with having to stay in the zone because my legs weren't tired, I wasn't breathless at all, and I had plenty of energy and felt good. In short, he would NOT give an inch and told me that if I just hung in there, and was persistent, that would change.

As frustrating as it was, I did -- and it took me about six months to be able to consistently run at a decent clip, even up the big hills we have in our area, without busting out of the 90% max zone. If it's hot out, I have to go slower and if it's a monster hill, sometimes I have to slow to a SLOW jog (really slow!!) or even a walk if it's hot and hilly, but it is working out.

If you were sitting in his office with me and heard the entire explanation, I guarantee that you'd follow his advice too. Know that you're in good company, and that patience does pay off. Eventually, you will be able to go further, faster, without your heart racing too fast.

He also explained that some meds can contribute to a higher HR (like my thyroid meds) but he said I needed to respect my HR just the same. No pushing harder just because the meds may be contributing. My heart, he said, doesn't care. I need to follow the rules despite my conditions and frustrations. Just like everyone else, he emphasized!!

A heart monitor is invaluable for this. The simple setting where it beeps if you're out of zone (either too low or too high) will help you. You'll get frustrated ... guaranteed ... but it will improve.

Good luck!

AndyBee

I'm 24 and not taking any medications.

Robin: Thank you so much for your explaination. It will be killer to hold myself back, but it seems like it's important to do so.

SparkleShine

I was having similar issues. Just ina few weeks I've noticed that my max heartrate is slowly coming down. I was getting to around 180 now it's been peaking at 168-172.

I too have had problems with arrythmia. Thanks for adding your input TrainerRobin!