Comments on: How To Determine Your Target Heart Rate

By: Coach Tony

Coach Tony — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:57:16 +0000

I agree with most of the posts above. What is being taught to sports scientists at university right now is that the standard formula, rather than being arbitrary, is an average with a plus or minus of around 14 for (I think) 99% of the population. So for 99% of us it is a useful starting point. Mine comes in at around +12, measured empirically with a standard pulse monitor, ie 220 minus age gives me 166 but I regularly hit 178 on steep hills, more so when I am unfit. Regarding high being bad, not at all! It declines naturally with age so a high max means you are equivalent to younger person. Having said that, low is not necessarily bad either, if you have an exceptionally large heart it doesn’t need to pump as often to supply you with oxygen. The bottom line is that the more oxygen delivered to your working muscles the better!
Happy new year folks!

By: Clinton.Weinstein.

Clinton.Weinstein. — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:10:40 +0000

Rode with few guys today who are much faster and stronger.Heart rate was approx 188 for most of the time climbing short hills and dropped to 175 and 160-166 when not pushing to hard .Rode 25 miles
approx 1hr 37 minutes.Normally when I ride by myself heart rate is 170 when I push to stay at 20 miles/hr.
age 49 wt 190lbs.

By: Mike Jones

Mike Jones — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:40:31 +0000

Hi, after many years not cycling two years ago I started training again. I go out with riders who are fit 40 yearolds. I have a history of racing covering 20+ years. I dont go much on too many gizzmos but have recently used a heart rate monitor and find riding on undulating terrain my heart rate is 135-150. and about 80% mhr?? , speed is averaging 17mph over say 50 miles. I train approx 150 miles per week. Is this good practice or should I change in some way. I am 67 by the way.
Regards Mike Velo Club Bristol.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:06:43 +0000

Steve.
I cant comment on your specific numbers, however I am a 48 year old active cyclist, training 3-5 times a week, 30-50 miles and my recorded MHR is 188 and train regulary in the 150-175 range. I recon my real MHR is a little higher, say 190′ish based on my perceived effort at arround 165. My figures are similar to yours.

By: steve

steve — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:52:24 +0000

I am a 49 year old male. I am active. I cycle about 3 times a week for a maximum of 60 miles and a minimum of 25 miles. I use a polar heart rate monitor. My average heart rate usally runs around 150-159. My maximum heart rate reaches 170-180. I am wondering if I am pushing my heart rate too high at 180. My brother, who is a year older than me, his average is lower than mine. I am concerned that my heart rate is getting too high. Should this be a concern or would this be consider normal.