How do I use HR monitor if Max HR is wrong?

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998 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Feb 18, 2011 5:01 AM by BOSNPM

Tarainva

1 posts since
Jan 4, 2010

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Feb 17, 2011 12:50 PM

How do I use HR monitor if Max HR is wrong?

Training for a 10M, and trying to use my Garmin305, but my HR is always higher than I expect. I used the formula to set the %s, so Max HR is 220-38 = 182. Catch is, my Garmin has my Max HR at 188 almost every run. I can see I am not sustaining that HR, but I am also not trying to get my HR up high. It makes me think that 182 is wrong (for me) but I'm at a loss as to how to determine what my training ranges might be. Should I just stick with the formula stop worrying about it?

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lenzlaw
9,935 posts since
Jan 18, 2008

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1. Feb 17, 2011 1:58 PM (in response to Tarainva)
Re: How do I use HR monitor if Max HR is wrong?

If you have seen 188 then clearly 182 is not your max (MHR). You could run by "perceived exertion level" instead of heart rate, that is, by how hard you think the run feels. Compare it to something like your 5K race pace. This article discusses several tests to at least get close to your true maximum.
http://www.howtobefit.com/determine-maximum-heart-rate.htm
I decided mine based on the highest reading I got while doing intervals. It's probably a few beats low, but a lot closer than the formulas. (It's 188 and I'm 63, so the formula would give 157.)

Len

Len

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ActiveWatches Dave
207 posts since
Apr 13, 2010

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2. Feb 17, 2011 4:14 PM (in response to lenzlaw)
Re: How do I use HR monitor if Max HR is wrong?

Determining HR Max can be tough. The consensus is that the 220-age formula is a good idea, but not nearly accurate enough to be a good indicator of one's HR Max. Take a look at this article for other methods of determining HR Max: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=53 You can also Google "determining HR Max" to get a bunch of useful article on the issue. Good luck.

ActiveWatches.com - The Place for Sports Watches

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BOSNPM
2,390 posts since
Nov 20, 2007

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3. Feb 18, 2011 5:01 AM (in response to ActiveWatches Dave)
Re: How do I use HR monitor if Max HR is wrong?

For a 10K I agree with Len use your Perceived Exertion Level, for longer races HR will make more of a difference.

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