Exercise and heart rate
Discussion
I started using an exercise bike 7 weeks ago.
I've gone from 20 minutes duration sessions to 45 minutes currently.I put in a bit of a sprint for the final couple of minutes or so.
My heart rate at the end of the sessions has gone up from high 120s when I started to 140 for the latest run.
Does that mean I'm getting fitter or just that I'm working harder ?
I've gone from 20 minutes duration sessions to 45 minutes currently.I put in a bit of a sprint for the final couple of minutes or so.
My heart rate at the end of the sessions has gone up from high 120s when I started to 140 for the latest run.
Does that mean I'm getting fitter or just that I'm working harder ?
Sorry. Not much help for me.
I used to cycle regularly. Off road in the main, and hills used to push up my heart rate. Did some tests with a chap who coaches my lad's rugby team and he was more interested in recovery time than pulse-rate, at least as long as it wasn't excessive. I occasionally used a pulse-metre on rides, and occasionally hit 160, or a little higher. It was not seen as excessive, this at a time I was the fittest I'd ever been. 240 miles per week, off-road was the norm.
I'm now 76, and have been told by a physio not to let my pulse go over 120bpm, so 140 doesn't seem danger zone to me as long as you are not geriatric
I've fallen.
I used to cycle regularly. Off road in the main, and hills used to push up my heart rate. Did some tests with a chap who coaches my lad's rugby team and he was more interested in recovery time than pulse-rate, at least as long as it wasn't excessive. I occasionally used a pulse-metre on rides, and occasionally hit 160, or a little higher. It was not seen as excessive, this at a time I was the fittest I'd ever been. 240 miles per week, off-road was the norm.
I'm now 76, and have been told by a physio not to let my pulse go over 120bpm, so 140 doesn't seem danger zone to me as long as you are not geriatric
I've fallen.
Also, and strangely, at the start of my cycling off-road, my PR increased quite slowly, before hitting the max.
After I'd been cycling for a couple of years, it was noticeable that my PR increased before I even got on the bike - a bit like my dog getting all excited when I put a lead on it - and I would occasionally be sweating before I'd even started.
After I'd been cycling for a couple of years, it was noticeable that my PR increased before I even got on the bike - a bit like my dog getting all excited when I put a lead on it - and I would occasionally be sweating before I'd even started.
Wilmslowboy said:
Not fitter, just willing to put more effort in. 
Does it track distance covered, if so time to complete the same distance might be a better guide on getting fitter (stronger)
Yes it does, I average 30 kmh so am doing 22.5k in 45 minutes.Does it track distance covered, if so time to complete the same distance might be a better guide on getting fitter (stronger)
I don't know wether I should aim to try increasing the time at the same speed or do the same 45 minutes but at a faster speed
I'm under doctor's orders to get fit !
V8covin said:
Yes it does, I average 30 kmh so am doing 22.5k in 45 minutes.
I don't know wether I should aim to try increasing the time at the same speed or do the same 45 minutes but at a faster speed
I'm under doctor's orders to get fit !
Do both. Challenge yourself, keep it fun and you will see results. How far can you go in 30 mins? Can you beat it? How fast can you sprint etc… just don’t push it too far. I don't know wether I should aim to try increasing the time at the same speed or do the same 45 minutes but at a faster speed
I'm under doctor's orders to get fit !
V8covin said:
Yes it does, I average 30 kmh so am doing 22.5k in 45 minutes.
I don't know wether I should aim to try increasing the time at the same speed or do the same 45 minutes but at a faster speed
I'm under doctor's orders to get fit !
I'm sure I will get shouted down for this but 30 mins of hard riding is better than an hour of medium effort, so upping the effort might be better than riding longer.I don't know wether I should aim to try increasing the time at the same speed or do the same 45 minutes but at a faster speed
I'm under doctor's orders to get fit !
Does it track cadence (pedal speed) and can you adjust the effort, you don't want to pedal too fast for too long....65 to 75 would be sweet spot.
Also do you know you max heart rate is ? Mine is 172 (absolute balls out effort) when I ride the indoor bike I try to not let it drop below 150 nor get above 160 and ride for 30 mins - this feels like a good effort ride for me.
Wilmslowboy said:
I'm sure I will get shouted down for this but 30 mins of hard riding is better than an hour of medium effort, so upping the effort might be better than riding longer.
Does it track cadence (pedal speed) and can you adjust the effort, you don't want to pedal too fast for too long....65 to 75 would be sweet spot.
Also do you know you max heart rate is ? Mine is 172 (absolute balls out effort) when I ride the indoor bike I try to not let it drop below 150 nor get above 160 and ride for 30 mins - this feels like a good effort ride for me.
It has rpm and watts (power) but I don't take any notice of them,it has different programs that automatically adjusts the resistance up and down so I'm not pedalling like a lunaticDoes it track cadence (pedal speed) and can you adjust the effort, you don't want to pedal too fast for too long....65 to 75 would be sweet spot.
Also do you know you max heart rate is ? Mine is 172 (absolute balls out effort) when I ride the indoor bike I try to not let it drop below 150 nor get above 160 and ride for 30 mins - this feels like a good effort ride for me.
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