Best way to test max heart rate

lfcquin
lfcquin Posts: 470
edited July 2010 in Training, fitness and health
I have been running a HRM for about a week now. This week I have just worn the thing and done my normal rides to see what happens. I have done a bit of reading around the topic and using the various "manual" measurements I have worked out I would have a max of 186.

My rides this week, includes a chaingang, 10 mile tt and a sunday run. I noted that I am ok in the 150's and 160's, but struggled to maintain changes in pace as I moved into the 170's, althoug I did manage the 10 mile TT in mid 170's, but didn't hit a max higher that 177.

Tonight I did a 30 minute pyramid session and towards the end of it I threw in a max test by going balls out for about 30/60 secs. The maximum I reached was 180, which just doesn;t seem right compared to the rides this week. I have to point out that I am REALLY tired at the moment because of a gorgeous 9 week old colic suffering little girl, so that might have an impact.

Anyway, the point is, has anyone got any tips on the best way to try and measure my max heart rate? What techniques do you use to measure your max?

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Ramp test... http://alex-cycle.blogspot.com/2006/12/ ... ccess.html

    Ignore power and use MPH on the turbo to do the ramp...

    Although tbh testing for your threshold is more useful.

    Do a 30 minute max effort and use the average from the last 20 mins...
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    Just use your 10 mile tt average heart rate to set your threshold. No need to test needlessly, especially with heart rate which doesn't change once fit (or at least change is very, very slow over time).
  • lfcquin
    lfcquin Posts: 470
    Sounds good. Dan just invited me to your house to do it there. :D
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    lfcquin wrote:
    Sounds good. Dan just invited me to your house to do it there. :D

    Then we shall!
  • lfcquin
    lfcquin Posts: 470
    doyler78 wrote:
    Just use your 10 mile tt average heart rate to set your threshold. No need to test needlessly, especially with heart rate which doesn't change once fit (or at least change is very, very slow over time).

    Why would you take an average of a 10 mile TT? That wouldn't be max would it? I ride the TT hard, but I don't ride it at max heart rate because I couldn't maintain it that long. Do I use the average as a 90% marker or something?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    edited July 2010
    No, he's saying for threshold...

    My 10 TT HR average is above my threshold which is why the one I'd use for threshold is the last 20 mins of a 30 min effort... Everyone's different though.

    IMO threshold is more useful than max...
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    lfcquin wrote:
    doyler78 wrote:
    Just use your 10 mile tt average heart rate to set your threshold. No need to test needlessly, especially with heart rate which doesn't change once fit (or at least change is very, very slow over time).

    Why would you take an average of a 10 mile TT? That wouldn't be max would it? I ride the TT hard, but I don't ride it at max heart rate because I couldn't maintain it that long. Do I use the average as a 90% marker or something?

    I'm talking threshold heart rate. If your trianing is likely to involve threshold efforts then setting heart rate zones with respect to that is probably more useful than setting it with respect to maximum.
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    NapoleonD wrote:
    No, he's saying for threshold...

    Beat me to it. Your are of course right.
  • lfcquin
    lfcquin Posts: 470
    Sounds like I have a lot to learn.... A lecture at NapD's house seems in order....

    Thanks guys.
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    NapoleonD wrote:
    No, he's saying for threshold...

    My 10 TT HR average is above my threshold which is why the one I'd use for threshold is the last 20 mins of a 30 min effort... Everyone's different though.

    IMO threshold is more useful than max...

    :oops: :oops: I meant to say 95% of 20 min average heart rate. I haven't used that in a long time so my head wasn't tuned in there.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    doyler78 wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    No, he's saying for threshold...

    My 10 TT HR average is above my threshold which is why the one I'd use for threshold is the last 20 mins of a 30 min effort... Everyone's different though.

    IMO threshold is more useful than max...

    :oops: :oops: I meant to say 95% of 20 min average heart rate. I haven't used that in a long time so my head wasn't tuned in there.

    Heh heh...

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