HRM Results
macerello
Posts: 57
Hi,
Can anyone give me some advice on my HRM results?
I rode for 1hr 45mins yesterday and my Polar F6 says I used 1567 calories, 30% of which was fat. My max HR was 191bpm which is 104% of my max HR. My average HR was 157bpm which is 86% of my max. Throught the ride I only spent 19 mins in 'zone'.
I have set up the HRM with my weight, height and age (195lb, 5"10", 38yrs) and allowed it to calculate my max HR and 'zone' which I am assuming is 60 - 70% max HR for aerobic training.
I started the ride well and my max HR came during a climb after approx 30mins in the saddle, however, after 45mins I felt the onset of cramp in my right calf which stayed thoughout the remainder of the ride (developing into full blown cramp after about an hour or so). This held me back a little.
My question is that I seem to reach my max HR easily when pushing a bit, and even when only trying moderately, I exceed the 'zone'. I dont feel that I am over doing it on the bike, and to be honest, any slower would feel like I was crawling and I would start to feel cold. I would like to push harder than I am doing now and start introducing some intervals of higher intensity, but this will take me up to and beyond my max HR. Am I just very unfit, hence the higher HR? or sould I try to set the 'own zones' on the HRM? I havent done this yet because I hope my fitness will increase rapidly over the next few months, which will affect the settings. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
M
Can anyone give me some advice on my HRM results?
I rode for 1hr 45mins yesterday and my Polar F6 says I used 1567 calories, 30% of which was fat. My max HR was 191bpm which is 104% of my max HR. My average HR was 157bpm which is 86% of my max. Throught the ride I only spent 19 mins in 'zone'.
I have set up the HRM with my weight, height and age (195lb, 5"10", 38yrs) and allowed it to calculate my max HR and 'zone' which I am assuming is 60 - 70% max HR for aerobic training.
I started the ride well and my max HR came during a climb after approx 30mins in the saddle, however, after 45mins I felt the onset of cramp in my right calf which stayed thoughout the remainder of the ride (developing into full blown cramp after about an hour or so). This held me back a little.
My question is that I seem to reach my max HR easily when pushing a bit, and even when only trying moderately, I exceed the 'zone'. I dont feel that I am over doing it on the bike, and to be honest, any slower would feel like I was crawling and I would start to feel cold. I would like to push harder than I am doing now and start introducing some intervals of higher intensity, but this will take me up to and beyond my max HR. Am I just very unfit, hence the higher HR? or sould I try to set the 'own zones' on the HRM? I havent done this yet because I hope my fitness will increase rapidly over the next few months, which will affect the settings. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
M
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I doubt the calories figure is accurate too, probably way overestimated like Garmin devices.
Its the fact that the bpm that I feel comfortable working at, exceeds the aerobic zone. How does everyone else get on? do you work at a higher rate i.e. 80 - 90% max HR or does 60 - 70% feel right?
Cheers again
M
Working at your moderate HR isn't supposed to be hard. You should be able to hold a conversation while performing at your moderate HR. (By conversation I don't mean delivering an after dinner speech but short sentences without gasping for breath.)
Calories burnt is usually around 800 per hour for cycling.
I don't know how long you've been cycling, but in the early stages your heart rate will quickly rise due to not being used to the exerscion. Slowing your HR down is simple enough; slow down. It may feel like you're being overtaken by snails but it is the only way to control your HR. The more oxygen you require the higher your HR is going to go to pump it around the system. Always begin slowly and once warmed up you can begin cycling harder. Starting off quickly doesn't give your heart a chance to get ready for the exercise.
Common mistake, using a theoretical maximum, many people don't come anywhere near a theoretical, if you are going to get any data worth looking at, you NEED to know your true MHR.
Also, take calorie figures from HRM's with a HUGE pinch of salt.
My HRM is set to 70 - 80% HRmax as the 'zone'. Polar claim this is 'Moderate' and recommend this for people exercising regularly.
I guess I just need to do more and keep check on how my HR alters as I get fitter.
Cheers
M
I suppose a more direct question would be - does a HR of 191bpm sound too much? (it was during a hard climb, and I did feel like I was putting in 100% effort. So I suppose my HRmax could be slightly higher than the generic figure. It seems to be accepted that a 10/20bpm variation between people of similar fitness/age, is normal.
Thanks again for all the advice.
M
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Are you local?
Not really local to you, most of cycling is around Ruthin/Denbigh side.
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Rougly folks not exactly. It is the rough guide all fitness coaches go by as the safe estimate of someone's max HR.
I did have my HR up to 200bpm according to the device a couple of years ago. I did feel like chucking up and was absolutely gasping for breath and have never run so high since. I/m 49 now so I was easily exceeding my max HR according to the rough guide. But the rough guide errs on safety.
I've had my hr at 187 many times. So 20 beats out using that 220 formula.
I think my max is around 190 -192. 187 is hard work but I can hit it a few times during a race/ride. I've not been bothered to find the max; what I use is close enough.
I have the monitor set at 190 max.
It showed 196 once during a 1 hr climb which I was struggling at but I'm not sure if it was an accurate measure. I've hurt more than that many times and as above it showed 187.
If you're doing this for fun and fitness I'm not sure it matters a great deal. You can use the hrm for keeping a decent average during a long race/ride if you want.
Of course it goes without saying that if there's any doubt do a stress test at the doc's.
I don't read it much during races but did the other day during a 2 hr one. I was blasting some hills 1/2 hr into the race; then over the next 1/2 hr my hr kept showing 171 - 172. For once I took some notice and eased a little as soon as I could. I know I can't sustain that pace for 2 hrs yet so it came in handy.
Cheers
M