I did Turbo Tripper's FTHR test last night

[123456789]

On the turbo. This was a practise test and I will probably undertake a couple more.

I have fed my result into the Turbotrippers Zones and have made some interesting observations.
1. My average heart rate was slightly higher than I remember logging on a TT
2. Looking back on my strava history it seems that every ride I do is at Tempo
3. Depsite the Mrs commenting on how red I was at the end of it and I must admit I did feel a bit light headed at the end I still think I could have pushed a little bit harder
4. I have never ever seen on my HRM a max heart rate anywhere near the heart rate needed to trigger anaerobic capacity according to turbo tripper zones. But looking at the other zones and Turbo trippings perceived effort scale I can see a real correlation.
5. I think I had the resistance up a bit too high or the tyre set too tight on the the turbo as I could get nowehere near the gear I normally push on a TT. My distance and average speed figures were not representative of the the effort I put in (i found them a bit insulting for my effort to be honest). Having said that I think speed and distance are academic for this test. If I am on a TT I need to aim for the upper end of threshold HR for a good TT effort.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Getting all hot and bothered on a turbo can send your heart rate higher than it would be outside for the same effort, so basing anything on these figures might not be entirely accurate. Did you use a fan? Inside the house or outside in a cold garage/shed with the door open?

 

[123456789]

It was in the garage with the door open - no fan.

I understand that HR is a lot more hit and miss and more variable compared to power but I'm not riding seriously enough to justify investing in some form of power meter so unfortunately HR will have to be yardstick.

Edit - I will undertake the test another couple of times and will also look at what I can acheive on a TT so hopefully over time accuracy should improve a bit

 

[BSRU]

Heart rate is too variable a measure to use as it is affected by so many things.
Average speed would be better as long as the set-up is as previous tests, i.e. tyre pressure, etc.
Many turbos have a known speed/power curve.
I've noticed that a certain average speed has a narrow band of average powers associated with it.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Stick a decent fan in front of yourself and the difference should be evident

 

[adamangler]

I can very push my heart rate up to 170 and hold it for a good 30 mins or so when out o ln the bike. Een a max of 188 whilst out sprinting to near death.

On the turbo ilits more like 160 and 178.

It feels a lot more intense on the turbo for a given hr

 

[123456789]

Thanks all for your help.

It really confuses me as to why there is so much published on training in HR zones when as you point out there are so many variables.

So am I right in thinking then that if I do want to structure my training in some way I have the following options open to me:
1. Formal sports testing at a university
2. Take the first test with a pinch of salt and perform further tests both on the turbo and on the road repeating every now and then hopefully collating enough data so that I will have something resembling a fairly good idea as to what my FTHR/LTHR is in relation to my own RPE
3. Convince the Mrs that an investment of around a grand in a power meter is justified (I think the former options may be less painful)

 

[Citius]

HR is a useful guide to lower level training zones. The higher the intensity (ie 80% - 85% plus), the less reliable HR will become and the more you should rely on RPE or 'feel'. You don't need an HRM to tell you when you are on your limit.

 

[Jackohelp]

Interesting thread as I tried mine on Sunday and got 163bpm as my
FTHR . I didn't use a fan but may next month when I do a repeat and see if this comes down as it seems a bit high?
Using the British cycling calculator it gives me a max her of 196! and I'm 49. Surely this can't be right?

 

[adamangler]

my fthr is around 165-170.

if you caluclate zones off it, it will gve you a higher max heart rate than you probably have.
The only way to test your max heart rate is to push yourself to near death.
The highest ive managed is 188 and i was close to puking

 

[123456789]

Interesting thread as I tried mine on Sunday and got 163bpm as my
FTHR . I didn't use a fan but may next month when I do a repeat and see if this comes down as it seems a bit high?
Using the British cycling calculator it gives me a max her of 196! and I'm 49. Surely this can't be right?

I'm 44 and my FTHR/LTHR was 168 average over the 20 min test peaking towards 173 at the end. I will set my zones around that but will re-test on a regular basis. As has been mentioned the only way to truly know what your max HR is is to test for it and that is tough.

You also can't compare your heart rate against anyone elses as it such an individual thing

 

[Licramite]

Stick a decent fan in front of yourself and the difference should be evident

what and ride into a headwind all the way!

 

[Citius]

what and ride into a headwind all the way!

yeah, stick the fan behind you, you'll go faster....

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

yeah, stick the fan behind you, you'll go faster....

On aerobars or not?

 

[123456789]

Well if I am having a force four blowing from a fan straight in my face it will have to be full TT bike, skinsuit and a modified aero helmet (the helmet has a long stick with a bottle of bud at the end)