Question re: heart rate

[CR400]

Correction max is 220. Yeah it took a hard race and not dropping over dead to figure that out. Also my LT is a few beats higher then I thought too.

[Artisan]

Correction max is 220. Yeah it took a hard race and not dropping over dead to figure that out. Also my LT is a few beats higher then I thought too.

Yeah, same here. Last race I did, with lots of hills, my heart rate maxed out at 217.

[VeloChick]

Heart rate measurments are guestimates and the 220-age or the woman's 226-age is one that fits only about 1/3 of the population. Also, a higher max heart rate is not a sign of fitness. The heart rate is what it is, in that it's genetically programmed. However, as one trains to get fitter you'll find the ability to work at higher heart rates without going anaerobic.

Also, it has been shown that the heart rate doesn't necessarily decline as one ages as long as you keep aerobically fit. I use a heart rate monitor when I train and I encourage my clients (I'm a personal trainer and Spinning instructor) to use one as well.

Two excellent points. There are still so many myths about HR! The aged based calculcation is a joke. If you max HR works out with this formula, it's really just a coincidence. Your max HR is genetic. You cannot change it. It CAN, however, decline with age in the non-trained athlete.