Zone 2 confused

GATES

Ok so I just got my self a heart rate monitor and worked out my max heart rate.

I am wanting to build my base up over these cold months but I am confused a little the black book says to use zone 2 which is 75-85 but the calculators I have found have zone 2 as 65-75 so which zone should I be using to build up my basic winter miles?

I know both will no doubt work but there is quite a big difference in the two

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/b ... c_bcf.html

Sorry for the noob questions

Herbsman

You "worked out" your maximum heart rate? Eh? How? :?

GATES

Herbsman wrote:

You "worked out" your maximum heart rate? Eh? How? :?

By doing a few different max heart rate tests and taking a average any way that want the question.

Herbsman

GATES wrote:

Herbsman wrote:

You "worked out" your maximum heart rate? Eh? How? :?

By doing a few different max heart rate tests and taking a average any way that want the question.

Ok. Just thought you might have meant using a formula.

GATES

Herbsman wrote:

GATES wrote:

Herbsman wrote:

You "worked out" your maximum heart rate? Eh? How? :?

By doing a few different max heart rate tests and taking a average any way that want the question.

Ok. Just thought you might have meant using a formula.

Nope :-D

Herbsman

Try this A Quick Guide to Setting Zones

Setarkos

GATES wrote:

Ok so I just got my self a heart rate monitor and worked out my max heart rate.

I am wanting to build my base up over these cold months but I am confused a little the black book says to use zone 2 which is 75-85 but the calculators I have found have zone 2 as 65-75 so which zone should I be using to build up my basic winter miles?

I know both will no doubt work but there is quite a big difference in the two

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/b ... c_bcf.html

Sorry for the noob questions

My guess: one figure is in terms of threshold heart rate and the other in terms of max heart rate...

doyler78

The ones with higher zones to the rest tend be based on the Karvonen method or some variation thereof. Essentially it takes account of resting heart rate and the zones are thus calculated from a working heart range whereas those based on maximum just are a straight percentage. Others will base zones around threshold. In any case just a pick a well known method and stick to it. The zones are far from perfect as heart rate training is far from perfect so don't get anal about it. Just set the zones and stick with it. You will soon find out what works and what doesn't so you'll get a feel for where your zones are and you can then adjust based on that.

GATES

doyler78 wrote:

The ones with higher zones to the rest tend be based on the Karvonen method or some variation thereof. Essentially it takes account of resting heart rate and the zones are thus calculated from a working heart range whereas those based on maximum just are a straight percentage. Others will base zones around threshold. In any case just a pick a well known method and stick to it. The zones are far from perfect as heart rate training is far from perfect so don't get anal about it. Just set the zones and stick with it. You will soon find out what works and what doesn't so you'll get a feel for where your zones are and you can then adjust based on that.

Cheers mate that's the info I wanted.

Now it's time to save up for a pm

ut_och_cykla

Use the zones recommended for the programme you're following? Different plans - different zone definitions.

Hurricane151

What I have found is that the Black Book uses slightly different zones. His Zone 2 is the equivalent of a "normal" zome 3 as he utilises a Zone 0 whereas most other systems start at Zone 1.

If that makes sense

Tom Dean

GATES wrote:

Herbsman wrote:

You "worked out" your maximum heart rate? Eh? How? :?

By doing a few different max heart rate tests and taking a average any way that want the question.

So you are using a figure you know to be below your maximum?

Herbsman

I didn't even notice that obviously you should be using the highest figure!

rsands

what age are you? zone 2 is 60-70%?

GATES

rsands wrote:

what age are you? zone 2 is 60-70%?

26

I use the highest reading I got for max hr but did it more then once to make sure it was accurate

rsands

Your zone two would be approximately 115-135 using 60-70% as the rating. What max HR did you acheive in your test?

GATES

rsands wrote:

Your zone two would be approximately 115-135 using 60-70% as the rating. What max HR did you acheive in your test?

200 I manged to reach

skinnyrider

Why on earth anyone has the desire to reach their max hr is beyond me.
I'd rather not kill myself. Such an old stupid practice.

Base your hr levels of a 1hr test.
Ride as hard as you can for an hour, then after look at your hr average and use that. The Freil methord of levels will be fine.

doyler78

skinnyrider wrote:

Why on earth anyone has the desire to reach their max hr is beyond me.
I'd rather not kill myself. Such an old stupid practice.

Base your hr levels of a 1hr test.
Ride as hard as you can for an hour, then after look at your hr average and use that. The Freil methord of levels will be fine.

Someone that never wants to race

Unless you have pre-existing heart condition then there is nothing dangerous about a maxHR test. The simple fact is most people cannot motivate themselves outside of competition to do a 1 hour test that is truly representative of their best effort and in any case it is very, very hard to do at the best of times so whilst it may be the gold standard it isn't the most practical or necessarily the most "accurate".

Heart rate zones aren't that accurate so getting caught up on the method of calculation is just a distraction IMHO. Use the method described in your plan or if you don't have one then pick a method and stick to it as consistency is more important than anything else.

lef

skinnyrider wrote:

Why on earth anyone has the desire to reach their max hr is beyond me.
I'd rather not kill myself. Such an old stupid practice.

Base your hr levels of a 1hr test.
Ride as hard as you can for an hour, then after look at your hr average and use that. The Freil methord of levels will be fine.

That is generally what many people call max heart rate. Easier to say than LTHR. I would like to see anyone try to find their real Max heart.

Joe Friels way has always worked for me and a bit more palatable than a 60min test.

http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2011/04/de ... -lthr.html

rsands

skinnyrider wrote:

Why on earth anyone has the desire to reach their max hr is beyond me.
I'd rather not kill myself. Such an old stupid practice.

Base your hr levels of a 1hr test.
Ride as hard as you can for an hour, then after look at your hr average and use that. The Freil methord of levels will be fine.

your body will shut down to protect itself when its overdoing it. I can hit 200 and hold it for a bit and dont feel my heart thumping out of my chest..although i did have ECG tests done to ensure heart was healthy and able. riding as hard as you can for one hour is going to make you reach your max hr....so that means you are doing the stupid practice :? only one way to get max hr and that is to do as it says...max your heart rate. Though i do advise that you check your heart is fit and healthy before going clean mad.