I have a question about heart rate

SafireBleu

Obviously before I got a heart rate monitor I never knew how high my heart rate was actually going so I just worked until I felt I was gonna die and that was it. Now I have a Polar FT40 and I know how high my heart rate is going so I wonder if I am actually going to die if I push too hard. My max heart rate according to the calculation 220- age is 182. I am 38, 5'7" and 188lbs. Target HR80 to 90 % of the max which is 145- 163 for high burns. But in doing Ripped in 30 I get all the way up to 180 before I feel like I need a break. Does that mean I am healthier than others my age since the formula is just a calculation and not an exact science or does that mean if I push any harder I'll have a heart attack and DH will come home to a corpse? I have been pushing hard but I keep the phone right next to me in case I have to dial 911 lol I know it is stupid question and before the HRM I would have just worked out but now I' afraid I might have too much information.

DonPendergraft

I think you are fine. I wish I could operate at 180 for any length of time! I'm 47 and that's pretty much my max. World class marathoners and triathletes can operate at 90% or better of their VO2 max for a couple of hours. Amazing. So if you can do it, rock on.

SafireBleu

That's what I thought but since I am going it alone w/o a gym, personal trainer or support I just wanted to be sure. Thanks for your reply.

busyPK

I think if you listen to your body and slow down when needed you should be fine.

AirCircleI

Also, the 220-age formula is not 100% accurate - there are different methods for calculating it - see this: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/maxhr.htm Depending on the method used, mine (I am also 30) is 180-192. In fact, when I run I can easily get mine up into the 190s, so far my max is 196 after a 1 minute sprint at the end of a 20 minute run. Last week I can for 50 minutes and my average for that time was 184 - I was tired and worked hard, but not about to keel over.

So go with whatever feels comfortable for you. For me, if I am working in the 180s I know I am not slacking. But it is very different for others, and some people struggle to get theirs above 160.

kennethmgreen

That formula is an estimate. People have a range of heart rates. I was in the same boat as you - when I first got my HRM I entered in my max HR using the 220-age formula. I was 41 at the time, so ended up with 179. But I was seeing 180 and even 185 on some of my runs, so I knew my MAX couldn't be 179. I have since adjusted up to 195 as my max. It resulted in a lower reported calorie burn on my HRM, but I suspect the calories burned are now more accurate.

SafireBleu

The FT40 calculates it for you and the thing beeps at me all the time. I don't know how to adjust it or if I should. I usually have to slow down when I hit around 175-180. Today it was closer to 180. I guess as I get more fit I can tolerate it longer. I will see what that site tells me about my MHR. Thanks for the info.

firedragon064

LOL, I felt the same way when I got my HRM.
The highest HRM I has is 187 when 220 - 47 = 173.
I do try to slow back down once I hit 185+ tho.