Lowest Possible Heart Rate

bernithebiker
bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
edited April 2013 in Training, fitness and health
Now I know this has little scientific or training value but I'm just curious - what is the lowest heart rate you can achieve whilst pedaling very gently at say 25km/h on the flat, no wind.

I only ask as Strava splits my HR down into 5 areas, and has an 'endurance' zone which is below 100, I think. Needless to say, I spend very little ride time in this zone, only 1 or 2% usually, and that's when coasting downhill.

I guess it depends on your max HR, your age and your fitness.

For me, the lowest I can realistically achieve whilst maintaining decent forward motion is about 115, but is there anyone out there that can ride along below 100?!

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    random question ? Come on Berni - you're better than this.
  • Escher303
    Escher303 Posts: 342
    I can pretty easily, that speed is recovery pace for me on flat roads with no wind. But then my RHR is 34, so its all relative.
  • displacedaussie
    displacedaussie Posts: 356
    If I'm pedalling my HR is above 120.
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    Escher303 wrote:
    I can pretty easily, that speed is recovery pace for me on flat roads with no wind. But then my RHR is 34, so its all relative.
    You on beta blockers? :D
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  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Imposter wrote:
    random question ? Come on Berni - you're better than this.

    OK, a slow morning maybe, but genuinely interested, as I wondered if my HR was unusually high at a very low effort.

    Why then does Strava provide for a sub 100 zone?

    Do superfit (Cat 1 and above) riders often dip into this zone?
  • displacedaussie
    displacedaussie Posts: 356
    There's an Elite guy I ride with who did a tough ride to Wales with us earlier in the year. My average HR was 150. His was 112. So yes.
  • displacedaussie
    displacedaussie Posts: 356
    Also Strava lets you set your own HR zones.

    Settings --> My Performance --> Heart Rate Zones.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    My resting HR is ~45 to 50 depending on the day

    My Max HR is ~196, maybe a little higher

    I get down to ~110 when descending

    I don't get down below ~120 when pedalling.
  • Escher303
    Escher303 Posts: 342
    oldwelshman wrote:
    Escher303 wrote:
    I can pretty easily, that speed is recovery pace for me on flat roads with no wind. But then my RHR is 34, so its all relative.
    You on beta blockers? :D

    No :) , I do nearly faint when I stand up too quick though! As it takes a while for my heart to pump blood to my brain. I guess it's just genetics and fitness.
  • edten
    edten Posts: 228
    I get this sometimes, not great when in the office i get up and walk over to someone and by the time i get there I feel like passing out! Resting HR is 42-45. If I'm pedalling in Z1, HR can be as low as 96bpm whilst still moving at an okay pace but just spinning. I think pedalling efficiency has a big part to play in being able to keep HR low whilst still moving at okay pace. So I don't overtrain I do most of my commuting in Z1 so i am used to trying to go as fast as I can but keeping HR low as possible...I still get overtaken a lot though!!
  • Setarkos
    Setarkos Posts: 239
    Now, I haven't used HR in a while but my resting heart rate is 50, maxHR is 205, threshold HR about 185
    On a recovery ride (L1 50% FTP) I used to be around 120-130 at ca. 27kph - could've gotten a bit lower by now but certainly not below 100.
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  • gavbarron
    gavbarron Posts: 824
    Escher303 wrote:
    oldwelshman wrote:
    Escher303 wrote:
    I can pretty easily, that speed is recovery pace for me on flat roads with no wind. But then my RHR is 34, so its all relative.
    You on beta blockers? :D

    No :) , I do nearly faint when I stand up too quick though! As it takes a while for my heart to pump blood to my brain. I guess it's just genetics and fitness.

    I get this too, usually in evening if I've been sitting for a while! Keep telling my wife it's because I have low HR but she worries. Mine's not quite as low as yours though! (42bpm)
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,803
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    My resting HR is ~45 to 50 depending on the day

    My Max HR is ~196, maybe a little higher

    I get down to ~110 when descending

    I don't get down below ~120 when pedalling.

    Pretty much the same here too. Although I did look down and see 102 on a flat bit today. Didn't last long though.

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