A bit of help with training and heart zones etc etc

daniel_b

Hello folks,

I have been a bit slack and not been on the bike for a while, but last night I had a go on my turbo trainer for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My HRM is what is a Garmin forerunner 50, and using this I carried out the Max HR test as in the Arnie Baker book, ie warm up for 10 minutes, crank up the pace, and increase a gear each minute until it becomes extremely difficult to carry on pushing, and at that point sprint for 30 seconds.

Now bearing in mind I have always thought I had a fast heartbeat, but my max on this occasion was 211 - which worried me a bit, but looking at other threads, it doesn't seem too bad, or out of the ordinary.

I'm also thinking that possibly due to my lack of fitness this may have increased it somewhat, and maybe when I get fitter it might come down a bit?

I wore it today, and noticed my hr when sitting down was around 100, rarely dropping below, and just walking into town it was around 130.

Anyway, I am new to training, and last night was using a spinervals training DVD, I wasn't quite sure that the 'percentage' bar referred to at the top of the screen, and wondered if anyone could explain?

For example on the 'rests' it was showing 60/70%, but on the flat out sections, it was going upto 90% or slightly highe I think - but what I wasn't quite sure about is that meant to be 90% of my max hr, ie 190, or is there another figure I need to workout, and the percentage is then of that figure?

Many thanks

Dan

GavH

Your HR definately sounds a bit high. Never mind an HR Max of 211, you should not be hitting 130 just walking around town, not unless your weighted down with the worlds supply of shopping bags and walking up a hill. I did 40 odd hilly miles today and averaged 145 bpm and I WOULD NOT, repeat NOT consider myself particularly fit. Have you considered that there may be an issue with your HRM? Failing that I would seriously consider booking an appointment with the Doc.

daniel_b

Hi Gav,

thanks for the reply.

I guess I should give my stats, ie I am 32, not that fit, but not overweight (5ft 10, somewhere around 11 Stone), though would like to lose a bit.

Does anyone else thikn I should be concerned??

I guess I will book an appointment at the docs one evening this week and see what they have to say.

Thanks

Dan

daniel_b

Appointment booked for Wednesday....