working hard but can't get HR up!

[Grog]

A few things:

1) I would strongly recommend AGAINST experimenting the method described by Annie ALONE. Absolutely GO WITH SOMEONE. And, please, not anywhere isolated from civilization. It's kinda extreme. And of course if you have any doubt about your cardiovascular health, or if you have been sedentary for a while, see a doctor first and foremost.

2) High heart rates while exercising are not something to worry about, but I still think it's important that we try to lower our resting heart rates, and decrease the time it takes to go from the top heart rate to the rest heart rate. I am not a heart doctor, but I'm quite sure that someone with a heart rate of over 100 when just sitting around should worry more than a bit.

3)

I've been told max HR is different in different sports. IE - your mx HR in biking may be different than your max in running, swimming, skiing. Anyone else know if this is true?

I doubt it. At what seems like similar intensities, my heart rate is very different depending on the sport I'm doing (the difference is especially steep between running and biking) but I don't think that changes anything to the concept of maximum heart rate. Maybe what you mean is this: Although my average heart rate goes up more easily when running, I know for sure that I can hit my max more easily when on the bike because my heart can work just as hard without other parts of my body feeling too painful, because my weight is supported by the bike.

Be safe ladies, and enjoy!

[annie]

[QUOTE=Grog]A few things:

1) I would strongly recommend AGAINST experimenting the method described by Annie ALONE. Absolutely GO WITH SOMEONE. And, please, not anywhere isolated from civilization. It's kinda extreme. And of course if you have any doubt about your cardiovascular health, or if you have been sedentary for a while, see a doctor first and foremost. (QUOTE]


Thank you, thank you, Grog! For bringing up the safety considerations. I apologize for not putting that out there. Absolutely be sure you are not going to endanger yourself and do have back-up, just in case. Tho' I don't think it's all that extreme....... just testing the limits of what you can do, which can be an exhilarating experience. Just be smart about it.

annie

[RoadRaven]

I can recommend Annie's method of measuring max (although, as said, take someone with you)

When I first started riding I was in the position of having a 10-11% short stretch to climb up about 1km before my house...

I can get up there alright now, but there is a longer hill I can do this on, but riding up there was almost the "ride til you puke" sensation... and when you throw up you know you are maxed out...

I have never vomited but once you approach that level, you know that your heart rate will be up there.

*warning
do not try this alone

[DirtDiva]

*warning
do not try this alone

'Cause if you are gonna puke, you'll want someone to hold your hair back.

[Trekhawk]

'Cause if you are gonna puke, you'll want someone to hold your hair back.

LOL - someone with a strong stomach though or there might be two pukers by the side of the road.