Max HR

fcorbin · Post by **fcorbin** » January 22nd, 2008, 8:33 pm

What does a max HR test consist of?

I've been using the generic formula 220 - Age which is 185 for me. Today, while doing a high intensity short piece, I saw my heart climbing up to 189. Should I use this value instead of 185?

Thanks!

johnac · Post by **johnac** » January 22nd, 2008, 8:48 pm

An excellent explantion of Max HR is on the C2 UK Training wesite at: http://www.concept2.co.uk/guide/guide.p ... ical_tools.
I found it really worthwhile doing this test as the formula 220 minus 59 (my age) gives me a max of 161 but I'm tall 2M and heavy 114kg and so the formula is a bit wide of the mark for me. Doing the test my max is 148 (and dropping naturally with age) and in 5 years of serious training I've never been above that number.
Jack
Sydney Australia

philrow · Post by **philrow** » January 22nd, 2008, 9:34 pm

Definitely check out that link. Also, perhaps some pertinent info is here: http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=7261

Phil

badocter · Post by **badocter** » January 26th, 2008, 10:15 am

The 220-age heuristic has a large variance, so you only use that number if you don't have any other data. By that heuristic, my max would be 182, but I did a step test on the erg and got to 196 a few monthes ago and I got up to 198 a few weeks ago on a 2k pb, so 198 is my number until I see a higher value. Since the heart takes time to line out, it is unlikely that I actually hit my true max in 2k, so I am probably capable of 200+.

fcorbin · Post by **fcorbin** » January 26th, 2008, 3:28 pm

Thanks for the info. Very interesting article...

Here's another question on a similar topic: When I do pieces with the HRM, I tend to always start at a higher pace than I finish. If I don't reduce the pressure, my HR will always end-up too high.

Is that the right way to do these workouts? Or should I rather start at the pace that I believe I can sustain throughout without ending above the target HR?