Max heart rate
Discussion
Last couple of months have been using a Garmin with heart rate monitor when I go cycling.
Curious to see that on a couple of rides, my heart rate goes well over what I'd consider my maximum. e.g. today for a period my heart rate was over 200 and peaked at 230 which seemed a bit high. This was on a downhill bit after a fast flat bit. Couldn't repeat it later in the ride.
Are the chest-strap heart rate monitors generally quite reliable? Am 29, so have generally used about 190 as the max. Should I adjust this upward?
Curious to see that on a couple of rides, my heart rate goes well over what I'd consider my maximum. e.g. today for a period my heart rate was over 200 and peaked at 230 which seemed a bit high. This was on a downhill bit after a fast flat bit. Couldn't repeat it later in the ride.
Are the chest-strap heart rate monitors generally quite reliable? Am 29, so have generally used about 190 as the max. Should I adjust this upward?
People are different, but I'd agree that 230 is high and was maybe caused by interference. Polar HRMs sometimes see 230-odd as a result of this. Chest strap monitors are usually very reliable as long as you're aware they can sometiems be upset by interference.
A good way to establish your MaxHR is to go out when you are fresh, warm up properly (not less than 30 mins) then ride a steep hill that takes about 2-3 minutes to climb. Start a mile or two away, bring up your effort so you hit the bottom of it going fairly hard at about 160-170bpm, accelerate up the hill, and sprint the last 30 seconds.
Refer to the saved file later to see your max. if you can read the monitor as you go over the top then you probably aren't maxxed. It helps if you are racing somebody or something.
I've never been able to hit mine in training, only ever in competition and then only a few choice times per season.
A good way to establish your MaxHR is to go out when you are fresh, warm up properly (not less than 30 mins) then ride a steep hill that takes about 2-3 minutes to climb. Start a mile or two away, bring up your effort so you hit the bottom of it going fairly hard at about 160-170bpm, accelerate up the hill, and sprint the last 30 seconds.
Refer to the saved file later to see your max. if you can read the monitor as you go over the top then you probably aren't maxxed. It helps if you are racing somebody or something.
I've never been able to hit mine in training, only ever in competition and then only a few choice times per season.
Edited by f@tboy on Thursday 9th July 12:59
I'd send it back Ken. I've had a few polars and they've never been wrong. Whenever I've been tested (quite a few times) they've always shown the same value (within one or two beats) as the readout on the tester's one. The interference from power lines is well know, but the inaccuracy certainly isn't.
I've always had 7-series ones, never tried the lesser models but I imagine the difference is all the other feature, not the quality of the HRM part.
I've always had 7-series ones, never tried the lesser models but I imagine the difference is all the other feature, not the quality of the HRM part.
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