HR too high when working out

downtheadders
downtheadders Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been working out a few times a week for a couple of months now, but just got a HR monitor this week. I'm realizing that I've been exercising at a heart rate that's arguably way too high... I generally use the elliptical and when I really get going my HR spikes up to 179! Everything I've seen says that's way too high (I'm 28, F, 138 pounds). But I've also noticed that if I stay around 130-140 I'm barely burning any calories at all.

Do I just need to accept the fact that I'm going to need to stay on the elliptical for 40 minutes to burn a measly 200 calories if I want to keep my HR in check? Is this just a sign that I'm more out of shape than I think I am (the ft40 gave me a "good" on the fitness test though)?

Any advice on balancing HR vs calorie burn would be helpful. And 179 is too high, right?
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Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Are they sudden spikes like:

    130.. 130.. 130... 179!!! 130, 130 130 130 130 130 130 179! 130 130 130...

    Or is it more like

    130 130 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 170 179 179 179 179 179 179....
  • Keto_T
    Keto_T Posts: 673 Member
    My resting heart rate and my working out heart rate is way too high too for my age, weight. I'm curious what the answers are.
  • iamkarent
    iamkarent Posts: 144 Member
    have you verified that it isnt the heart rate monitor that is defective?
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I agree with the others...are you sure it's not defective? Is the info entered into the HRM right (weight/age/ect) What kind of HRM did you get, does it have a chest strap?
  • scs143
    scs143 Posts: 2,190 Member
    Mine always goes that high and stays that high until I am done. how do you know it's too high?
  • MemphisKitten
    MemphisKitten Posts: 878 Member
    That's actually not too high. Over 200 would be too high. As you get in better shape, it will go down. Mine used to peak at 190-191 when I first started working out seriously. If you were over 40, it would be too high.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    if you are heavy and are starting a new work out program, you will have a high heart rate. your heart has to work harder because you are heavy, and it is a muscle like any other. it must be exercised and it will take time to adjust.

    i find that my heart rate is higher in the beginning of my runs, but as i work out, it steadies out.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    I use the heart rate palm-thingie attached to the treadmill (measures heart rate by the pulse in your palms) and am occasionally nervous about how high it gets, too. Round the 180's. Reading that as long as it's a build up and not a sudden jump is reassuring. Thank you for this post!
  • GoMizzou99
    GoMizzou99 Posts: 512 Member
    http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html

    Age-predicted maximum heart rate formula:

    WOMEN: 226 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

    MEN: 220 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR
  • cpaman87
    cpaman87 Posts: 193 Member
    You max heart rate is 220 less your age (28) = 192. 179 is at 93% of max. I would say that is high. I try to stay at 80%.
  • downtheadders
    downtheadders Posts: 26 Member
    Are they sudden spikes like:

    130.. 130.. 130... 179!!! 130, 130 130 130 130 130 130 179! 130 130 130...

    Or is it more like

    130 130 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 170 179 179 179 179 179 179....

    It's like 130 140 145 150 160 175 179 (and then me freaking out and slowing down)

    So I don't think it's the heart rate monitor being defective (it does have a chest strap, it's the polar ft40) or a medial condition, so much as a representation of the fact that I'm actively picking up the pace to burn more calories. I'm not overweight (5'9, 138 or so), but I am probably pretty out of shape.

    But it sounds like maybe 179 isn't terrible? I was reading some other forums and they all seemed to suggest that approaching 180 is too high and would be bad for me.
  • goody2shews
    goody2shews Posts: 129 Member
    I believe that is the correct target while exercising for your age. Unless your doctor has you on some blood pressure meds or has told you otherwise IMO you're doing exactly what you should be. I wouldn't be concerned unless it drops super quick while you have it up there. Sweat plays a roll in how mine works. Once I go over 30 minutes I'm too sweaty for my HRM to work. I need a better one for sure.
  • NyimaR
    NyimaR Posts: 108 Member
    If I'm pushing myself I can get into the 180s. I would say that if it's making you feel uncomfortable then slow yourself down, but if not then don't worry. The whole 'optimum heart rate for fat burning' thing is a bit iffy anyway.
  • happycauseIride
    happycauseIride Posts: 536 Member
    Bumping to hear some more answers here. Same problem here.
  • looopyloops
    looopyloops Posts: 84 Member
    I often find the machines will give heart rate that bounces,. it will be up in the 180's then down to 64, and usually will settle around 140" after it bounces a few times, I think its mostly just a machine glitch, and having a high hr is not always bad, if you are working hard it may go up, I am often in the 150's and 160's if I am working hard.
  • laurynwithawhy
    laurynwithawhy Posts: 385 Member
    What's you're resting heart rate like? It could be that your heart rate is just high generally. Also, I don't think 179 is WAY too high, but is definitely on the higher end. My heart rate tends to spike (it's been up over 200 before while on the elliptical) but that's where I feel comfortable when working out really hard. My trainer and doctor both told me it was fine, as long as my heart wasn't having trouble at that rate I shouldn't worry.
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    Just to be safe I would recommend a check-up with your doctor if you haven't done so recently. It would be good to rule out any red flags like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, RHR, family history, chest pains? etc. After that clearance, I would not worry about it too much. Keep in mind that your heart rate monitor is averaging things and 'on average' your heart rate may be fine (220-your age is a good max to stay under). Sometimes hr monitors pick up false signals in the gym. More importantly, don't let your hr monitor scare you into not exercising! If you held a constant 179 rate for even a few seconds you would be on the floor gasping for breath. That is an all out 50 yard dash/shovel 3 tons of snow in 30 minutes rate for most people.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    If the heart rate has to be high whenever you do any aerobic exercise it means that you are aerobically unfit. Your aerobic system is so underdeveloped that the heart has to work very hard to deliver the oxygen needed by the muscles. The same thing applies when someone says that when they workout at a lower heartrate they are barely working at all. If the heart has to work hard to supply the oxygen needed for a low exertion level then that is not good.

    The way to develop the aerobic system is to exercise for extended periods of time at an aerobic heartrate, around 70% to 80% max heartrate. After a few months of this your aerobic system will begin to develop and the heart will no longer have to work so hard. After several years of this you will find that your body has to work very hard to elevate the heartrate.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Are they sudden spikes like:

    130.. 130.. 130... 179!!! 130, 130 130 130 130 130 130 179! 130 130 130...

    Or is it more like

    130 130 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 170 179 179 179 179 179 179....

    It's like 130 140 145 150 160 175 179 (and then me freaking out and slowing down)

    So I don't think it's the heart rate monitor being defective (it does have a chest strap, it's the polar ft40) or a medial condition, so much as a representation of the fact that I'm actively picking up the pace to burn more calories. I'm not overweight (5'9, 138 or so), but I am probably pretty out of shape.

    But it sounds like maybe 179 isn't terrible? I was reading some other forums and they all seemed to suggest that approaching 180 is too high and would be bad for me.

    In your scenario I agree, doesn't sound like a defect.

    My wife is the same way. Some people have high heart rates. Generally it will get lower as you get fitter.
    but please, if you are concerned at all, talk to a doc =)
  • goody2shews
    goody2shews Posts: 129 Member
    Are they sudden spikes like:

    130.. 130.. 130... 179!!! 130, 130 130 130 130 130 130 179! 130 130 130...

    Or is it more like

    130 130 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 170 179 179 179 179 179 179....

    It's like 130 140 145 150 160 175 179 (and then me freaking out and slowing down)

    So I don't think it's the heart rate monitor being defective (it does have a chest strap) or a medial condition, so much as a representation of the fact that I'm actively picking up the pace to burn more calories. I'm not overweight (5'9, 138 or so), but I am probably pretty out of shape.

    But it sounds like maybe 179 isn't terrible? I was reading some other forums and they all seemed to suggest that approaching 180 is too high and would be bad for me.

    If you google target heart rate and choose some of the fitness website hr calculators you will see for yourself that your number is 197 anything above that then yeah probably not good.

    However, only you know how you feel. If you feel your heart is not beating just fast but HARD and is not handling it the way it should definately ask your doctor for a stress test.
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    I would evaluate how you feel when your heart rate is this high. Can you catch your breath? Are you able to speak? Lightheaded? If you feel ok at that heart rate I would say that you are at an ok rate for you. If you feel bad, I would slow down. I have a heart rate monitor and I start to get really out of breath at around 170, but I am ok at 160-165.
  • downtheadders
    downtheadders Posts: 26 Member
    OK, that makes sense. It's not that it's beating HARD so much as just fast. I mean, I've been working out at this pace regularly before I got the HR monitor and it leaves me breathless but not the point of it being a real issue.

    I guess I should be happy I got the HR monitor to be aware of this though! Plus, to realize how awfully out of shape I really am. Looking forward to getting in better aerobic shape! I think the built in fitness test on the HR monitor must have been a bit generous when it said I was in good shape!

    Some of the target HR calculations put me under 165 though, so I think the formulas must vary a lot in the specifics.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    When it gets high, how do you feel? Mine will go up when I'm running or really hitting the elliptical hard but I feel fine so I keep going. If you don't feel well when it gets high, then I'd say slow down, let it get lower for a bit then go harder/faster again.

    I also go by what my HRM says my heart rate should be between (I have a Polar FT4) and I can't remember the exact range but it goes from like 124-164 I think, anything over 164 it beeps and says I'm out of range. I feel fine though even if I'm at higher for a long time. If you have personal trainers at your gym, you could always ask to meet with them and have them figure out your actual heart rate instead of a gage like what it'll tell you on the machines and online
  • SomeoneSomeplace
    SomeoneSomeplace Posts: 1,094 Member
    My HR runs high BC of my Med's on my runs my HR gets into the 180's and stays there but I rarely feel out of breath except for at the start of my running as my HR increases one it stay at a consistent pace my breathing actually evens out. As long as you're not like gasping/light headed etc I think you're good! I also set my target up to 180 BC it was beeping like a bitc h before since I was above my zone and it annoyed me lol
  • thatsnumberwang
    thatsnumberwang Posts: 398 Member
    Mine gets up that high too. Hasn't killed me yet.
  • downtheadders
    downtheadders Posts: 26 Member
    Actually, now that I think about it I take a generic antihistamine with added Sudafed to help with some sinus issues. That might be part of the problem.
  • Arleigh7
    Arleigh7 Posts: 150 Member
    Best thing you could do is go to your Doctor and get a Stress Test. Basiclly an EKG while your walking/running on a treadmill.

    This will tell you close to 99.99 precent if you are having any issues. More then likely it's just your normal (everyone is different) but a stress test and possible echo cardiogram (they ultra sound your heart right after you get off the treadmill) will really tell you.

    As someone who had to have a heart procedure this year due to erratic heart rates I would tell you not to fool around and to go see the doc.

    All the best!
  • Vansy
    Vansy Posts: 419 Member
    When I run my heart rate gets up to 185 (okay, okay to be fair I push it in the last .50-mile to get up to that point). But like yesterday, during my 3-mile treadmill (ugh) run my heart rate average was 174 which is higher then I would like it; but the only way to get in better shape is to run at a faster speed.
    I would fluctuate if I were you -- have a hard day where you really increase your heart rate and push it. and then have a day where you keep it around 150 or 155 and just have a seemingly "easy" workout.
  • fruitloop2
    fruitloop2 Posts: 437 Member
    When I'm doing my interval training on the treadmill my heart rate goes up that high on the running intervals but drops down during the speed walking intervals. I'm not worried about it going that high because it is only for short periods of time. If it was staying that high for long periods of time, I might be a bit more worried about it. My body/heart is working at about 80% during the "hard" intervals and that is normal I think.
  • waskier
    waskier Posts: 254 Member
    http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html

    Age-predicted maximum heart rate formula:

    WOMEN: 226 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

    MEN: 220 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

    First, know this equation. You are reaching slightly over 90% of your max heart rate. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, just know that if you hit 100% you will pass out. You'll know when you hit it because, well, you"ll pass out. Could get awkward on a treadmill but makes for a great YouTube video! :laugh:

    Do some research on heart rate based training. You have 3 zones you should know: Lactate (where you are hitting now), anaerobic and aerobic. To get in really good shape you should have workouts targeting each of these separately. I use a Polar FT80 and RCX5 for my workouts. Check the Polar website as well as their forums. They have some great articles and posts about training. I recently read a book named Run Less Run Faster. I have just started the training, so it is too soon to see results, but the basic heart rate based training underlies the program.

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