how important is heart rate really?

[damhooligan]

There are probably already a few topics on heart rate.
and feel free to point them out to me

But how important is heart rate really?
I have been monitoring my heart rate for a few months.
Haven't done anything with that info yet ,
just wanted to get some info about my heartrate..

I have learned that, while i ride my usual speed/cadence like i have always been doing,
my heartate is very often above the 80% zone.
(my heart rate is high for 30% and 40 % of my rides, and 1 ride even for 70% of the ride)

While riding i do not feel uncomfortable.
but i do put question marks on my high heart rate.
So is my high heart rate a problem?

All I know , If i really have to keep my hear rate down , i have to ride an average of 20 km/h.....
well that would put me off riding...
That's a bit tooo slow

Is there anything else i could do??

My heartrate zones are divided in
1, 107-136
2, 136-155
3, 155-194
This is done automatically by my heartrate copmuter based on my hight of 1'73 and weight of 73Kg

[sogood]

My heartrate zones are divided in
...
This is done automatically by my heartrate copmuter based on my hight of 1'73 and weight of 73Kg

This method of calculating your HR zones works for a population but can be wildly inaccurate for an individual. You are best to work out your HRmax by direct testing and then work out your various zones.

[damhooligan]

My heartrate zones are divided in
...
This is done automatically by my heartrate copmuter based on my hight of 1'73 and weight of 73Kg

This method of calculating your HR zones works for a population but can be wildly inaccurate for an individual. You are best to work out your HRmax by direct testing and then work out your various zones.

Makes sence, but how do i do this?

[sogood]

Makes sence, but how do i do this?

Google is your friend and there are plenty written already. Otherwise read what Alex has posted in the following thread.
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=15105

[brettjames]

220bpm less your age!

Thats what the Dr Orders are

[toolonglegs]

220bpm less your age!

Thats what the Dr Orders are

SO really I am only 26...not 40 seeings that my MxHR is 194 .Brad McGee's was up around 215-220 ...it is a guestimate formula at best...forget it and if you really need to know go out and find it.

[sogood]

220bpm less your age!
Thats what the Dr Orders are

As 2Long said, that's just what the Statistician PhD said. Good for a population average but poor for an individual.

[brettjames]

and by Doctor i mean Cardiologist

[brendancg]

and by Doctor i mean Cardiologist

Well he is qualified, yet I am 37 and have achieved 188 in a race and can function quite well at 170 - 175bpm so as mentioned above I will work with the "everyones HR is different" and the 220 - age being an average easy to work out system. As mentioned in another forum, google heart rate calculators and you fing 1/2 a dozen different ways to calculate your HR. If you read into it, most pages say the best way to work it out is a functional test actually going to you Max HR through exercise.

[damhooligan]

220bpm less your age!

Thats what the Dr Orders are

There is no scientific proof of heart rate changes due to age.....

[nimm]

I'm 31 but my max observed HR was 181 about a year ago and has crept up slightly to 185bpm. I'm not sure if the increases are due to pushing harder, or my fitness levels improving, or both etc... Regardless I can't really ride on the max for long, if I ignore the HRM and push as hard as I can for what I "feel" is a sustainable pace then it's usually in 165-170 region.

I adjusted my HR monitor to use 185 as my max HR and it automatically adjusts the zones based on that. However, I don't train by HRM so it doesn't really matter I just record the figures out of interest, I'm a numbers man!

[goneriding]

I've observed mine at 197 when pushing hard uphill and regularly get into the 190's. I can sustain 180's for 5 - 10 minute periods.

Using the 220 rule I should be at 177 max. Very much a case of the individual!

[Alex Simmons/RST]

220bpm less your age!

Thats what the Dr Orders are

There is no scientific proof of heart rate changes due to age.....

?

there is ample evidence that maximal heart rate, on average, falls with age.
e.g. studies by:
Robinson 1938
P O Astrand 1952
I Astrand 1960
Astrand & Christensen 1964
Pollock et al 1978

[Ant.]

Damn hooligans!

[brettjames]

I'm sure there is no reason why you can't push above the recommended HR when training, but the chances of Heart Failure when your beyond your limits no doubt would increase dramatically.

[toolonglegs]

I'm sure there is no reason why you can't push above the recommended HR when training, but the chances of Heart Failure when your beyond your limits no doubt would increase dramatically.

I would say your limits ARE your limits and you can't go past them...ie: your maximum is just that.