cadence vs. heartrate ?

I don't use a training program per se, I just read everything everybody else writes and do all that makes sense...too cheap to buy a book! In my personal program I use a HAC4 and monitor "everything," but where heart and cadence are concerned, I pay more attention to cadence.

I am fortunate that seemingly no matter what I do, most of the time my max heart rate is in the vicinity of 145, and never has exceeded 170 (I will be 42 this month, which by rule of thumb has my max hr @ 180 or so).

The one thing I have found helpful is really in building back up the leg muscles first. I had a 3 year hiatus from cycling because I was too busy running a sporting goods store (ironic eh?). As the legs have strengthened, the cadence is increasing, and the heart rate is stable and decreasing at rest. So, just my opinion, make sure you are in good enough shape to implement a true training program first. Stick with some nice 4-5% rolling grades, and put as many miles on as time allows, and in a month or two you will be plenty strong.

I have the same book, am on the last week of the beginner program and have pondered the same question.
I decided to do the workouts as described (ie; fast-pedal, 80-85 rpm) and focus on controlling my breathing and listening to my body.
I am 29, 5'3" 135 lbs and usually ride with a HR of 155-165. This is way outside Zone 2 in the book but inside Zone 2 on the Peter Keen scale.

Ryan

Originally posted by gigemaggs99
I have the Lance Armstrong/Chris Carmichael "Performance Program" training book and I have question. I am doing the beginner program, one of the days of the program calls for a 1 hour ride at 80-85rpm while staying at 65-70% max hrt. I was wondering if someone could help me here. I am a beginner rider and have no problem riding for an hour, but I do have a problem balancing the heart rate and the cadence.

Quoted message said:

You should be able to do this by changing gear, although when cadence is higher for a given power output your HR is normaly higher (that doesn't mean higher cadences are bad though!).

I have a cyclometer that counts cadence and I wear a heart rate monitor. I cannot keep my heart rate in this range AND keep my cadence in this range (listed above). Is it better to work on cadence or heart rate?

Quoted message said:

That depends upon your goal for the session; cadence when you want to improve your ability to pedal (i.e. skill) and HR when you are trying to develop 'fitness'.

Quoted message said:

Its a bit prescriptive to proscribe HR and cadence as there is so much variablity; what do you do when you go up or down hills and HR and cadence go in the wrong directions!!! This training would be imposible where I live unless I did it indoors!!

If I stay in this cadence my heart rate goes above 70%. If I keep my heart rate 65-70% I am below 80rpm. I assume it means I am out of shape and my heart rate will improve along with my cadence, but getting in shape is one of the reasons I took up cycling.

Quoted message said:

You canno't imply that you are out of shape from either cadence or HR as neither are directly related to your fitness!!! The fact that you can ride for 1 hour is a sign that you have shape and as a beginner almost all training you do will have a positive effect on you. This positive effect will decrease as you get fitter (law of diminishing returns) at that point you need to change your training significantly (i.e. via a coach).

I was just wondering since this is a "beginner" program.

Quoted message said:

What is a beginner program for one is a difficult program for another, its never been a great idea to follow a set program. Instead different programs are needed for different people and different goals.

Thank you!

If you are having a too high heart rate for the given RPM use a easier gear! and build on it!

Whats better? RPM or HR?? Both have different session for each one!