I recently did an Incremental (or "Max"😉 Test where the the workload was gradually increased in steps etc and all sorts of wonderful things were recorded (lactate, power, HR etc).
Anyway, HR maxed out at 188 bpm and it felt like I was really at my max. Last weekend I raced with another local club (crit) and gave the final sprint (from a looooong way out 🙂 ) absolutely everything (I won 😎 ) and my HR recorded at 191 bpm for about 10 seconds or so (Polar HRM) at the final moments of the sprint.
I realise that there's only a 3 bpm difference but which MaxHR should I use for general training purposes (I already know my LTHR levels from the Incremental test) ?
I tend to think the 188 reading is the more 'accurate' as the 191 reading was after an hours ride to the race and then the race itself so I would have been dehydrated, tired etc at the end of the crit.
Max HR is highly affected by accute fatigue/overreaching, among other factors. To have a better idea of what your real max HR is, the best way, is to do a test after 3 or 4 days off. Then it is going to go high.
I actually figure my MHR is a few beats higher than ever recorded, since I doubt my ability to push it to its limit unless I was being chased by a Bengal tiger.
I recently did an Incremental (or "Max"😉 Test where the the workload was gradually increased in steps etc and all sorts of wonderful things were recorded (lactate, power, HR etc).
Anyway, HR maxed out at 188 bpm and it felt like I was really at my max. Last weekend I raced with another local club (crit) and gave the final sprint (from a looooong way out 🙂 ) absolutely everything (I won 😎 ) and my HR recorded at 191 bpm for about 10 seconds or so (Polar HRM) at the final moments of the sprint.
I realise that there's only a 3 bpm difference but which MaxHR should I use for general training purposes (I already know my LTHR levels from the Incremental test) ?
I tend to think the 188 reading is the more 'accurate' as the 191 reading was after an hours ride to the race and then the race itself so I would have been dehydrated, tired etc at the end of the crit.
Any thoughts or suggestions ?
Go with the 191. However, when setting up training zones, 3 BPM isn't going to make or break the deal as there is mucho overlap of training effect anyway. If you use a fitness test (such as Friel's or Carmichael's) for your zones then your max doesn't matter anyway.
I actually figure my MHR is a few beats higher than ever recorded, since I doubt my ability to push it to its limit unless I was being chased by a Bengal tiger.
Income tax declaration has a similar effect though 😄
Go with the 191. However, when setting up training zones, 3 BPM isn't going to make or break the deal as there is mucho overlap of training effect anyway. If you use a fitness test (such as Friel's or Carmichael's) for your zones then your max doesn't matter anyway.
As a guide i was always told that your max HR was 220-age so........im 22, therfore my max HR would be 220-22=198 BPM but it has got up to 205 :eek: according to my polar HRM on some BIG hills
As a guide i was always told that your max HR was 220-age so........im 22, therfore my max HR would be 220-22=198 BPM but it has got up to 205 :eek: according to my polar HRM on some BIG hills
Yeah the formula is pretty much bunk. If I plug my age, sex, etc. into one of those calculators it comes up with 189, but I've seen my HR as high as 211.
Yeah the formula is pretty much bunk. If I plug my age, sex, etc. into one of those calculators it comes up with 189, but I've seen my HR as high as 211.
Thats why its a guide, i guess your max HR is 1 BPM before you have a heart attack.............although getting a number may be risky😄
I....Anyway, HR maxed out at 188 bpm and it felt like I was really at my max. Last weekend I raced with another local club (crit) and gave the final sprint (from a looooong way out 🙂 ) absolutely everything (I won 😎 ) and my HR recorded at 191 bpm for about 10 seconds or so (Polar HRM) at the final moments of the sprint.
First time i did a ramped test i came up with a lower than expected MHR - due more to inability to breath properly through the mouthpiece tube. I'd go with what you saw on the sprint
I've seen my HR as high as 206 on a HR monitor while spinning in class. Strangely, I can stay within 5-10 beats of my max for 5+ minutes at a time. Is that normal?
