What IS maximum heart rate?

[Andrea]

Your max values for cycling (both HR and VO2max) tend to be approximately 85% of what you see if you're running. That's because cycling involves slightly fewer muscles than running, and, with more resistance on the pedals, will make you accumulate lactic acid faster than if you're running.

Usually, the better cyclist you are, the closer you can get to your running maxes, but it's rare to be able to achieve a true max on a bike. Ideally, you'd do a max test running and follow it up with a max test on a stationary bike (provided the lab has a stationary bike that's got somewhat of a road bike geometry rather than an upright one) within 5-10 days of each other so you could get your true max as well as your functional capacity for your sport.

If you have a small working "window" for heartrate, then you'd benefit from lactate threshold testing (everyone can, actually). That way, you can focus some of your training sessions on pushing that level up to a higher percentage of your maximum work capacity.

[Grog]

Your max values for cycling (both HR and VO2max) tend to be approximately 85% of what you see if you're running. That's because cycling involves slightly fewer muscles than running, and, with more resistance on the pedals, will make you accumulate lactic acid faster than if you're running.

That's funny, it's been the other way for me. It took me a long time before I could reach up to 200 running, whereas it happens to me all the time when cycling.

[Mr. Bloom]

Yep...I LOVE that new toy. I no longer have Gadget Envy! The Garmon 305 is uber cool!

[GLC1968]

If you have a small working "window" for heartrate, then you'd benefit from lactate threshold testing (everyone can, actually). That way, you can focus some of your training sessions on pushing that level up to a higher percentage of your maximum work capacity.

Thanks, Andrea!

That is kind of what I thought. I've had some estimates done (using a treadmill) and my lactate threshold came out pretty close to my max already. The trainer I worked with said this was highly unusual except in elite athletes or in those who are genetically gifted for CV capacity. I definitely don't fall into the first category, but I'm going to consider real testing before I feel comfortable actually placing myself in the second group!