So whats your maximum heart rate?

[GrumpyGregry]

All fairy nuff then, I didn't realize you wanted to compete. I wish you a happy, I'm going to be sick/pass out, ramp test then

One of my club members tried a max HR test on a local hill. She passed out and narrowly avoided getting run over by another cyclist! Doing it as a runner last year had me upchucking. Interestingly the max numbers are different across the two disciplines!

 

[JamesMorgan]

There is quite a large variation in maximum heart rate across the general population. The standard deviation is around 12 bpm (ie 95% of the population will fall in a band +/- 25 bpm from the mean). So at age 40 the mean is around 180, but anything between 155-205 is normal. As others have stated there is no correlation between fitness and max HR - it is just something you are born with. As you get fitter it gets more difficult to achieve max HR, so it make sense to test it before you get too fit.

 

[Crackle]

One of my club members tried a max HR test on a local hill. She passed out and narrowly avoided getting run over by another cyclist! Doing it as a runner last year had me upchucking. Interestingly the max numbers are different across the two disciplines!

I've read they're different but only had the courage to do one test on a bike, not running. I simply add a few beats for running. Presumably your running number is higher than your cycling number then, as per the advice I've read?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I've read they're different but only had the courage to do one test on a bike, not running. I simply add a few beats for running. Presumably your running number is higher than your cycling number then, as per the advice I've read?

Certainly is, and almost bang on 5% different which I think is what 'everyone' says the difference is.

 

[colly]

I tested mine maybe 10 years ago when I first got a HR monitor. I've not tested it since mainly because I can't don't see the point but I have come close to it on some rides which have long very steep climbs.
Perhaps I'll re do it when I have a good few miles under my belt this year. It would be interesting to see if it has changed.

 

[Garz]

(I'm 41, 5'6" and 190 pounds).
Minimum: 48 bpm
Maximum: 190bpm
I usually ride around 150bpm-165bpm range.

A fellow squat member!

My Garmin Edge has not logged above 190, however I would say my max would therefore be a few above this maybe 195. Average seems to be around 150 split between zones 3 & 4.

 

[The Jogger]

Three years ago my RHR was 43 at it's best, now it's more like 52 My max on a stress test was 184 in a 10k race I hit 194........and I'm not fit although the cardiologist seemed impressed with the stress test.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Three years ago my RHR was 43 at it's best, now it's more like 52 My max on a stress test was 184 in a 10k race I hit 194........and I'm not fit although the cardiologist seemed impressed with the stress test.

Come to Horsham for a Joggers club time trial. The climb to the finish at Itchingfield, which you'll have done once on the first lap, will max you out

 

[The Jogger]

I might just do that when my little kidney stone kisses me goodbye and I start training again. A bit lardy at the mo.

 

[The Jogger]

is that in the first lap of barns green?

 

[Andrew_P]

Anyone who is not used to regular hard excercise and reading this and considering taking themselves to the max HR, my advice would be don't and see a Dr first!

 

[Rob3rt]

There isn't any point in this. However, it's inportant to get the number so that training zones can be set with a view to altering the various 'thresholds' which determine ability to hold/produce particular efforts in competittion.

You dont need to know your max HR, you can work on lactate threshold HR to determine your zones. Since the lactate threshold is actually a sustainable threshold it is probably more meaningful than the MHR.

I've read they're different but only had the courage to do one test on a bike, not running. I simply add a few beats for running. Presumably your running number is higher than your cycling number then, as per the advice I've read?

Max numbers are different with running MHR being higher because running involves a bigger muscle group.

One of my club members tried a max HR test on a local hill. She passed out and narrowly avoided getting run over by another cyclist! Doing it as a runner last year had me upchucking. Interestingly the max numbers are different across the two disciplines!

To find max HR you dont need to go to failure, you will reach MHR a reasonable margin before you actually pass out, testing to failure and passing out is needless and if anyone does this on purpose they are a certified moron.

 

[Nebulous]

The issue for somebody like me who is pretty new to this exercising lark is not knowing where the margins are. How do I know my heart has reached MHR before it either bursts (technical terminology) or I pass out? Testing to destruction doesn't seem very sensible when I don't keep a spare.

I've achieved the same number 3 times now, with a great deal of effort, and have never made it any higher, so I'm assuming that is my MHR. Coincidentally it is pretty close to the 220 minus age formula.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

To find max HR you dont need to go to failure, you will reach MHR a reasonable margin before you actually pass out, testing to failure and passing out is needless and if anyone does this on purpose they are a certified moron.

Who provides the certificaton....

btw I've seen people puke/pass out doing max HR tests in one of the nations most prestigous sports science facilities when supervised by professionals.

 

[Rob3rt]

There is a difference between something happening as a by product of pushing themselves very hard (yes people do pass out during such tests, but this is not the aim) and actually thinking that this is a required part of the process, which sadly all to many people seem to think. You (should) reach MHR before passing out, with a reasonable safety margin, i.e. if you go to the point of passing out and then look back at the data, your HR would have reached the peak some time before the point where you actually become unconscious, therefore, there is absolutely no need to push to the point for throwing up or passing out under the impression that you wont have completed the test adequately.