Training & Nutrition - Too high a max HR?

I reach 228 on my heart rate monitor today. I reached 222 once and another 228. We were just having our usual physical education lessons and had to do some shuttle run, where I reach my 222. Then we went to run 800m at our own pace and then after some rest, another 800. The last 800m had to be done within 4mins. It was pretty hard for me because my fitness is just not there yet. I ran the first round in 1mins 50+s. The second round, I couldn't take it anymore, walked about 100m and then got up to speed within 50m and sprinted the rest. That was when I hit 228. It was a mad sprint for about 300m, bringing my total time for the 2 rounds down to 3mins 40s.

Do you guys think that the max HR value of 228 is too high? It seems to be rather high for any individual. I am turning 17 years old this year and I have never experienced such a high heart rate before. It went from 203 => 207 => 212 => 228. I do know that when my fitness level is not that high, I will not be able to reach my true max HR.

I have found out that as I get in better condition as the season goes on that your heart rate tends to go down. Also it will take longer to get to your max.
I am 52 yrs old with a max. of 190 to 195 . Each person is different and the method of subtracting age from 220 is really not all that accurate.

YOU DID AN 800 is 1:50? you are on the track team right?

1:50 for an 800 is freakin amazing, man. like college athletic distance track team good. maybe you are in the wrong sport, lad...lace up those runners!

EDIT: My bad, I suppose i didn't read clear enough...i thought you did the first 800m in 1:50, and the next in 3:40...OOPS!

haha, that's not it! We did 2 separate 800m. The first was at our own pace. The second 800m had to be within 4 mins. I ran that one in 3 mins 40 which is just so slow ....... I made up time by sprinting the last 300m in about a minute. Yeah, so it was that slow, I am nowhere in peak form right now and really don't think I will be anywhere near it though. Seeing improvements slowly but surely.

Anyway, back to the topic, does anyone have such high max HR? I think I have read in places where people have really high max HR. I just wonder if any of you has that and if it is actually normal?

oxologic

I guess I don't see a problem unless there is some pain associated with those rates. You heart is beating and some machine rightly or wrongly gives you a number. With that machince you can compare different exersices, but I don't know if you are really learning anything else.

Joe

I have 212 max HR... actually it may be even higher... just 212 is the highest i've ever seen on my HRM

Oh yeah, and I'm 24 years old

The last time I saw 228bpm on my HRM it was caused by electro static interference from my Coolmax shirt flappin in the wind while riding in the drops.

oxo,

hey there is really no HR MAx that is "too high" or "too low". it's genetic and you can't really change it much.

i mean i guess if it were really high or low is COULD indicate some kind of medical problem...

but then again, 228 is not THAT high --- the 220-age think is just approximate.

anyway, the Max HR is just the genetic setting of your motor your body comes with. what's important is how much power you can generate at certain PERCENTAGES of your Max HR and how long you can hold them.

as regarding you max HR and fitness level.... not exactly sure, but from my experience if i'm not well trained i can really get my heartrate up high by doing a pretty hard effort, but when i am really fit it is VERY difficult to stress the body enough to get it to spike that high. not sure if that makes sense.

i wouldn't worry about it. you Max is pretty much genetic and is not really much affected by training. just make sure to base any HR zone training stuff on percentages of YOUR max, not some average for you age group or whatever. or better yet, find your Lactate threshold and use that to base your training on.

Originally posted by oxologic
I reach 228 on my heart rate monitor today. I reached 222 once and another 228.

Oxologic, Sounds like you got a V-8 tach hooked up to a 4-banger!!!! U sure it's wired right??? Damn! that's a high heart rate! :)

Ouch, that is some pump you have got running there... The only time I hit heart rates like those, is when my monitor picks up the signal from that of my riding buddy and adds up the numbers.

Yeah, pretty sure it's wired right. I know it is high and I am rather surprised too. I don't think it can be some interference because there is no one else using a heart rate monitor and there is no source of other interference. I do really wonder if it can go any higher. I hope that is a true max HR, otherwise when I re-set the training HR zones, I could be performing at too high a level. Also, it is really high a HR. Using the Karnoven Formula, 139 would be 50% and 75% would be 184. It is a very huge difference and I seldom go above 140 on my rides. Fast pump I have there, really scary and I wish I can perform at a really high level in any sports I participate in.

Why do you keep using those formulas after we've talked about getting tested properly?

Seriously, I will find someone out there in Singapore in the coming weeks that can properly test you if you are this concerned about your max hr still... there's no use speculating about this time and time again when you can get tested and have your questions answered all at the same time once and for all.

Don't worry- I'll look into it myself and get back in touch with you when I've found something out for you.

In the meantime, keep in mind that your max heart rate for running will be higher than when you're cycling, so don't compare your heart rates for the two sports (unless doing a triathelon or ironman, when it could become necessary then).

I know that my max is 192 & I am now 46 yrs old. I have a polar monitor, with my own code on the transmitter. I usually wear it when I am doing long runs, and easy runs. Sometimes I will wear it in a 5k, and see if I max at 192. My thinking is perhaps test it a few times & see if you come up with the same number on different dates. Also if you want to be sure, do what Koffee suggested, and than you will have a comparison.

I don't want to tell you that it is to high. Its all relative when comparing other folks to yourself. Because once you know your resting avg HR, and your Max Heart Rate, that is it. I have found folks who are faster than myself with lower max's, and even lower VO2 max's. Once again it is all relative.

I wish that I could give you the answer you are looking for, its just not that easy. Although your question is a good one. Try & get tested so you know.