resting HR as fitness indicator

NormInv
NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
edited January 18 in Fitness and Exercise
What is the skinny on this? I am in decent shape with athletic body fat percentage range; however my resting heart rate is not what I see some other people seem to have even though they are in worse shape/less active. What gives?

I wonder if it indicates high blood pressure which runs in the family.

Replies

  • rgrin
    rgrin Posts: 67 Member
    I'm curious about this, too. My RHR is 59, and I am far, far, FAR from fit.
  • cleback
    cleback Posts: 261 Member
    I think it varies, although the trend is lower HR with increased fitness. Mine is 70s. To give you an idea of fitness level, I can run 4 miles with 9:30min miles. My husband, when he is in shape, can go down to 40 in his sleep. I work in a hospital, and I see all sorts of numbers from fairly deconditioned people... However, a lot of blood pressure medications (very common meds to take) can lower HR.
  • Bean515
    Bean515 Posts: 97
    I will preface this by saying I'm 3 shots in and I apologize now :). Theoretically the fitter you are the lower your resting hr should be. With that being said, it's really relevant on where you started. Most people of average fitness are around 60-70 bpms. Fit people are usually 50-60 range. I don't think I'm that fit but mine is I around 42-45. But when mine drops to low 40s that's when I get that weird arrhythmia to catch back up to almost 50 range, so I suppose I'm not a good model. Ideally if you push yourself in an anaerobic range 3 times per week your hr should be at the low end of 60s for bpms.

    It may be related to blood pressure or you aren't pushing yourself hard enough to condition your heart to run more efficiently. Maybe the question you should be asking is what hr am i hitting when working out. Hopes this helps. And I lied, I'm 4 shots in now. :)
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