Polar FT40, fitness test.

gibbonm

Can someone help me with my new HRM? FT40

I did the fitness test and it said i am an elite athelete :laugh: :laugh: my VO2 Max was 56 (170lbs,40yo,m,71")
This just cant be true can it?
I know my resting heart rate is low at 49bpm but it shows my max HR at 177 and the fatburn/Fitness switchover at 122BPM

I am reasonably fit but I can assure you, i am no elite of anykind!

I know these figures affect your calories burned and time in each zone, so i just want to see if anyone else has these problems?

Azdak

You have just discovered the limitations of the Polar "fitness test". Resting HR can be low for a number of reasons. Not to mention, if one has exercised a while, and still exercises even intermittently, resting HR will stay relatively low, even in general conditioning is sharply reduced.

I ran for 25 years before my weight drifted up. When I am "in shape" my resting HR was always in the 46-48 range. Even when I gained 60 lbs and was hardly working out at all, it only went up to 54 or so. Which would still be considered "very fit".

Now, it is not inconceivable for you to have a VO2 max of 56. If so, you would be able to run at a 6:00-6:15 pace for a 5K. The term "elite" is used in reference to the average person. True "elite" (e.g. Olympic marathoners) would be 80+.

gibbonm

Thanks

I have set my vo2 to 42. 25% down as i feel that is more realistic.

But i can also run a 5k in under 6:00 m/k which i dont consider to be a fast time, so maybe i should just put it back to 56 and live with the results.

I only bought the hrm to allow accurate callorie counting, and to try and stay in the different zones, but at a 56 vo2 my fat burn BPM is at 112. which is stupid, as i can get to that just by walking?