The most commented post here on Training4cyclists.com so far was my question: What is your lowest heart rate ever? Maximum heart rate is often calculated as 220 minus your age, but there is a standard deviation on about 10 which means that 95% of us would fit into a formula called: 220 minus age +/- 20 beats. Thus, as you’ve already experienced, this formula does not have any practical usability for a serious endurance athlete.
But back to the topic, what is your highest maximum heart rate ever?
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I’m 46 years old. Just started monitoring 2 days ago. 14 minutes of Motocross. High 198. average 185. Is this dangerous?
203 on a steep hill. I’m 21 so it’s within the formula’s range.
My Garmin 705 recorded a max heart rate of 208 on my last long ride, (79 miles). Honestly I never thought it was any where near that high.. I was never ‘that’ out of breath……..weird.
I’m 41 so according to the charts I was way too high, but I felt great.
JIm
Just bought a heart rate monitor and went for a mile jog.
my average heart rate was 170 – 200.
my highest was 217, did’nt even had to sprint for this.
i’m 21 so does this mean i’m very unfit.
It depends how long it took you to run this mile
I would not be worried. When I was young (16-24) my maximum heart rate was 230-240. As I’ve done a lot of sports and aged (41 now) my maximum heart rate is down to about 195. If you plan on doing a lot of sports it is always advisable to have a yearly check with a sport physician. No matter how high or low your heart rate is.
Kees
I am an average cyclist, runner, triathlete. I am 55 years of age. I usually get dropped with the strong riding group but can keep up with the B team. I recently went and had a cardiologist stress test performed on me back in May 09. When I asked why I wanted the test done, I replied that my max heart rate had hit 188. The doctor said that there must be something wrong with my monitor. On the test, I asked to stop when my HR hit 189. Tests were all ok. Last weekend, I set a record, max hr 191 in a nike race (in the main straight sprint home); This means I am more than one stand dev away from mean. Any views whether I am doing anything dangerous at these sort of HR?
Well my heart rate is fine now but a couple of weeks ago I hit a rate of 315bpm at a hockey which I play 3 to 4 times a week. I ended up in hospital for 2 weeks trying to figure out problem but have not received 100% answer. I know have an icd implanted in my chest in case this happens again because iwas told i should not have lived through this and will not live through it again. Just wonderin if anyone has ever heard of someone getting heart rate this high as well as living to tel about it.
70 year old sprint swimmer – regularly hit 220 – 240 heart rate on repeat 100’s with no apparent ill effects – heart rate drops about 100 beats in a minute to about 120 or so – have felt about the same when sprinting for many years. If I push beyond 240 to 250 I do feel winded and maybe a little dizzy – but never sick – but definitely need to take it easy for awhile. Had a physical last month and doctor would not believe my reported heart rate – said he had been taking heart rates for 30 years and had never recorded a heart rate above 200.
I’m 17 years old. My highest HR during a mtb race was 205 bpm, but I was shocked when I once reached 212 bpm up the hill on the training ride and I didn’t feel exhausted as I was during the race when I reached 205 bpm.
I’m 45, used to be active and recently started cycling regularly.
While it’s crucial to get a physical checkup before starting an exercise program, the advice I’ve read from a number of sports physicians is that you really can’t hurt yourself increasing your heart rate just from exercise. Your heart won’t tire out or strain itself. (Dave’s case seems to be an exception, but there must have been a cause other than the exercise that caused the unusual heart rate.)
My max aerobic heart rate seems to be in the 180’s, but it hits 195 at the end of a sprint (anaerobic exercise). When I was 20 my heart rate would often be 210-220 at the end of a race or when doing sprints.
There’s a lot of individual variation, so don’t be concerned if your max heart rate is “too high” or “too low.”
Hi Watford,
I am also average club cyclist My max pulse was 189 on a club ride yesterday, I was using a Garmin edge 705, see you posted in November, any further info on why our heart rates can be so far over the average for our age?
I’ve been athletic all my life. Just recently got into the heart rate measurement thing. Have done it the old fashioned way recently (hand on jug and counting with watch). Just went out for a run and hit 218 on a straight away and on a couple of hills. Didn’t push anywhere near my max either. I think my MHR may also be in the 220-240 range. I just purchased a heart rate watch. Still in the mail. Will have to see what a more accurate reading is. Glad to hear it is not completely uncommon for some other athletes. Was thinking I am a super athlete for a bit there. haha Oh.. ps my resting heart rate is currently around 54-58.
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