Can't get my heart rate up...

BoxerBrawler
BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
edited February 16 in Fitness and Exercise
It takes me almost 45 minutes of high impact cardio to even break a sweat. Yesterday I did 60 minutes on the elliptical burning 500 calories and I couldn't get my heart rate even into the 110's. I feel excellent, a ton of energy, can go forever so what's going on here? I can push myself like no other, get sweaty after a while, heavy breathing, working, but the heart rate stays in 'warm up' zone for the most part... Is there such a thing as a work out plateau? I change it up almost every day! Boxing / calisthenics is always a different workout, I do get cardio almost every day but via different methods e.g., elliptical, row machine, dance, etc. I lift weights both free weights and machines. I box/spa, jump rope... What's the deal?

Replies

  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    No expert, just spitballing...

    Any chance you're on a medication that might be keeping your heart rate low? You obviously don't have to disclose that, just giving you some food for thought. My gym buddy takes blood pressure meds and her heart rate will stay on the low side.

    Are you seeing that kind of reading on all of the cardio machines? If not, could just be something wrong with that machine.

    Does this happen all the time or have you noticed it recently? I know during certain parts of my monthly cycle or even certain parts of the day, I just can't seem to get myself going.

    What's your resting heart rate? Folks with lower RHR would naturally have a lower MHR - although I don't think that's the whole story.

    P.S. Sweat isn't necessarily an indication of effort - some people sweat more, some people sweat less. I'm not much of a sweater compared to a few other people I know.
  • george7527
    george7527 Posts: 267 Member
    How are you getting heart rate by the machine or HRM
    If by HRM then sigh to change battery if by sensors on machines never accurate
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Why is this a concern for you?
  • ME0172
    ME0172 Posts: 200 Member
    Try High Intensity Interval Training. Sprints, intervals, etc.... if you sprint and can't get your HR up I want to know your secret. lol.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    I am not on any medications and I do have a history of having low blood pressure.

    When I am doing 20 minutes or so of straight calisthenics I can sometimes get the heart rate going and when I am boxing either with a partner or on a bag I can get it going too. I figured because I have not been doing that for too long and my body is just used to the other exercises.

    I've gotten my heart rate from various machine readings.

    I used to sweat a lot but the fitter and leaner I get the less I can work up a sweat, not worried about that.

    Last, I'm not sure why I'm even concerned really, it's just something I noticed recently and wondering if it's common.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    I'm sure it's just the heart rate monitor on the machine not working properly.
    They never read correct for me.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    I'm sure it's just the heart rate monitor on the machine not working properly.
    They never read correct for me.
    Totally.

    If you're actually worried, consider getting a heart rate monitor to get a more accurate reading!
  • cdnokie
    cdnokie Posts: 7 Member
    I just recently got a heart rate monitor for starting bootcamp and did a bunch of reading on what the different heart rate levels should be. They said that as you get stronger and build up your cardio then your heart rate will become lower than when it was when you started. You said you could go for hours doing the machines you were doing which to me would mean that you have a pretty good heart condition and that's why your heart isn't having to really push harder and higher. This would also make sense if you have a lower basic heart rate as well ...its obviously not going to jump up into a super high range. I would suspect that although your machine is reading and saying that you aren't working hard enough its because the machine is reading for average people and not for you and your specific heart rate. Just to give you an idea of where I am my resting heart rate is around 80....the anabolic threshold I have currently for exercise is 152 so when I do interval training I start out shooting for around 120 ..then 130 then 150. I actually found that it was crazy hard to get up to 150 even when I was sweating and huffing and puffing but eventually with the intervals I got there as my heart rate didn't slow down to the low starting level that I had when I started. Not sure if that helps but I would think a heart rate monitor might be something to consider so that you know your own true levels. My polar starts out and tells me where I am and what it considers fat burning/cardio for me on that day based on my rate ...way better than the machines and guessing.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    Yes this makes perfect sense and I actually spoke to a few people in my fitness center and they said the same. Athlete level means your heart rate isn't going to go as high as it would when you first start out. So I guess this is a good thing... means I have a strong heart.

    But yes, I am going to pick up a heart rate monitor just to get an accurate picture of where I am.

    Thank you!
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