heart rate

stef827
stef827 Posts: 215 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I am 5 foot 5 about 150 lbs and 29 year old female. When I was on treadmill today jogging at 4.6 mph my heart rate monitor got up to 207. After I was jogging a few minutes and focusing on breathing it drooped to the 180's. Is this accurate? Is this safe? I felt fine, no dizziness or anything crazy. And also when all was said and done 3.29 miles later it said I burned over 500 calories. Is that accurate? The higher your heart rate the more you burn right? Thanks

Replies

  • stef827
    stef827 Posts: 215 Member
    Bump
  • stef827
    stef827 Posts: 215 Member
    Bump
  • japruzze
    japruzze Posts: 453 Member
    Treadmills don't typically use your heart rate to calculate calorie burn. Your heart rate is an indication of the amount of exertion (effort). I just started using a heart rate monitor. I have found that the treadmill for the most part report 30-50% more calorie burn than the HRM. It really knocked me for a loop. Everything I've read, and many on MFP, have indicated that the HRM is a better indicator so I'm using those readings. Its hard to tell how accurate the treadmill is at reading your heart rate. Go with how you are feeling. Good luck.
  • njdemp
    njdemp Posts: 6 Member
    I'm about your same stats, and have about the same heart rate. I have decided to go with perceived exhaustion, like the above poster suggested - if you feel okay, you're probably okay! Hopefully your heart rate monitor has a chest strap, (accuracy), and I would recommend going through the set-up steps and making sure that your "max heart rate" is set accurately. For example, if you get up to 200 bpm and can still speak, that is not your max. The typical estimate for max just uses your age, but obviously it isn't the same for everyone. Your calorie burn is estimated based on your heart rate "zones", for what they are worth, but if your max heart rate is entered wrong, all of the zones are going to be off as well, as will your calories burned.
  • stef827
    stef827 Posts: 215 Member
    Sorry I didn't make this clear but I was going off of my hrm with the chest strap not the treadmill. I know its supposed to be reading my heart rate but did I really burn over 500? That's just incredible to me :)
  • SafireBleu
    SafireBleu Posts: 881 Member
    I have had some similar high readings on my HRM I googled and Dr. Google said if you feel okay then it is fine. It did say the only way to get an accurate maximum heart rate is to see a cardiologist so I might make an appt with one just to check it out. I'm 5'7" and 190 It has gone up near 200. Since it scared me a bit I try to slow down when it hits about 170.

    The MHR calculation = 220-age. So mine is around 182. I am pushing hard at that number so when I saw it go higher and was huffing and puffing I slowed down.
  • SafireBleu
    SafireBleu Posts: 881 Member
    I should say I have no idea if what I am doing is right. I am going by the fact that I am really out of breathe higher than 170-175. The higher number seemed too high based on how I felt
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