Heartrate monitor and target heartrate

hlpatton
hlpatton Posts: 34 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I just bought a New Balance fit hrm and used it for the first time last night. I calculated my MHR as 195 (220-25) and my target hr zone as 117 - 156. While running last night my heart rate stayed between 170-190 the entire 30 minutes. Does this mean my hrm is inaccurate? I was working hard, but not THAT hard. Workout machines also always seem to give me a very high heart rate. Should I work out less intensely to get my hr lower or is it ok to work my heart that hard? I also drink a fair amount of caffeine and don't get enough sleep, I've heard this can affect your hr as well. Thoughts? Also, my hrm said I burned over 550 cals, where as MFP says 300 and online calculators using my hr said 385.

Replies

  • theskinnylist
    theskinnylist Posts: 286 Member
    When I first started working out I would range 170-190... I find that I'm now around 120-150 during my runs. I don't think your HRM is inaccurate!
  • jeannettemancini
    jeannettemancini Posts: 58 Member
    You may just have a higher HR. I know I do. After 6 months of daily 30 minutes of cardio, it is better, and I can now work out somewhat intensely and stay near the top of my range.
  • jkrim941
    jkrim941 Posts: 226 Member
    I have the exact OPPOSITE issue. Machines and MFP calculate my cals burned higher than what I am actually burning. Bummer. But also, THANK GOD that I now have a more accurate read on what's going on. Just means that I will be more likely to be accurate and start losing again, where I was baffled before why I was stagnant.
  • jaygreen55
    jaygreen55 Posts: 315 Member
    I just bought a New Balance fit hrm and used it for the first time last night. I calculated my MHR as 195 (220-25) and my target hr zone as 117 - 156. While running last night my heart rate stayed between 170-190 the entire 30 minutes. Does this mean my hrm is inaccurate? I was working hard, but not THAT hard. Workout machines also always seem to give me a very high heart rate. Should I work out less intensely to get my hr lower or is it ok to work my heart that hard? I also drink a fair amount of caffeine and don't get enough sleep, I've heard this can affect your hr as well. Thoughts? Also, my hrm said I burned over 550 cals, where as MFP says 300 and online calculators using my hr said 385.

    As you get fitter your heart rate will come down for the same exercise. Advanced Polar HRMs have a fitness test feature that assess your VO2 max and adjust the calories accordingly. Whether or not you exercise at that intensity should be determined by how you feel. If you're gasping for breath and exhausted back off a bit. If you're breathing is deep but not labored and you're ready to go the next day. Look up the term RPE which stands for Rate of Perceived Exertion. (See link below)

    Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale
    my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/exercise/rpe.aspx
    Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale is used to measure the intensity of your exercise

    Lack of sleep and caffeine can definitely raise your heart rate. If I don't get enough sleep my HR can be as much as 20 BPM
    higher than if I'm well rested. Same if I've had too much alcohol the night before my workout. While heart rate and calorie burn are correlated there are other factors that affect your heart rate so don't take your HRM as gospel

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