Training & Nutrition - Resting / max heart rate

I've been out of cycling for quite some time and am just now getting back into -- I'm 52 years old and in pretty good shape save for the extra weight (5' 11" 220+ lbs). Now I have the Garmin Edge 705 HRM and have had various Polar models before that (725) and I have just recently downloaded SportTracks. Among the data they ask for is resting and max heart rate and I have to ask what the accepted method for calculating / measuring these are. Last night I used my 705 to measure my heart rate for a couple hours before going to bed and I saw it drop to about 68-70bpm while surfing the internet -- I guess it wasn't porn :roflmao2: . I also ran it through the night while I slept and saw it averaged about 67 or so with a couple excurrsions down to 62-64 and, surprisingly, a few peaks up near 95 or so. So, is any of that data usefull for calculating resting heart rate?

My max heart rate has always been higher than my age would generlly indicate and I'd estimate it near 185bpm but at this stage in my training I don't want to push my max and so far the highest I've been is 171bpm. So, what is the normal method for testing for max heart rate. I could imagine just hitting a long hill and going flat out until I can no longer take it -- that should drive a max rate.


Brian

Resting heart rate is jsut when you're sitting and taking it easy. Using your experience above, your resting 68 or so.

The best way to measure max is an actual test. Warm up a few minutes and find a long, gradual hill. Start out well before the hill and keep shifting every minute to a more difficult hill at a relatively moderate cadence (85 -90 rpm). Keep the cadence steady while you keep moving through each gear. As you go up the hill, try to keep the cadence the same. When you are really struggling, shift once more, stand up and sprint all out. That will be your max.

Resting heart rate is jsut when you're sitting and taking it easy. Using your experience above, your resting 68 or so.

The best way to measure max is an actual test. Warm up a few minutes and find a long, gradual hill. Start out well before the hill and keep shifting every minute to a more difficult hill at a relatively moderate cadence (85 -90 rpm). Keep the cadence steady while you keep moving through each gear. As you go up the hill, try to keep the cadence the same. When you are really struggling, shift once more, stand up and sprint all out. That will be your max.

And if you find yourself floating toward a bright light, being urged onward by deceased relatives, you'll know you have actually passed your max.




:rolleyes:

guess my age

bpm

resting 38 (true resting, as in sleeping)
standing up resting 42-48
LT 172
Max 198

Max used to be 209

guess my age

bpm

resting 38 (true resting, as in sleeping)
standing up resting 42-48
LT 172
Max 198

Max used to be 209


Nine! :p

OK, how about 38 years old...


Back about 20 years ago when I was riding a lot and training with a racing club my resting was in the mid 40's. It will take a bunch of work to get myself anywhere near that level again.


Brian

I looked at various calculation methods and online calculators. I have found this chart to match very well with perceived exertion levels when I'm riding:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Exercise_zones.png

I just watch my Garmin 705 and upshift/downshift as necessary to keep my cadence just over 100rpm and my HR at the border of the Aerobic/Anaerobic zones for my age.

I checked my resting heart rate for 3 weeks ,in the morning before getting out of bed,average was 52 bpm,my max this year was 171,actual climb,i try to keep it under 155 to 160 when im riding on the climbs,flats are 140-150bpm,im 63yr old and it feels pretty good.

Honestly cyclists are so annoying. Compare to my co-workers I'm remarkably fit yet when I'm out on a training ride I'm the slow fat one at the back. In a normal group of people a resting heart rate of 61 would be decent.

guess my age

bpm

resting 38 (true resting, as in sleeping)
standing up resting 42-48
LT 172
Max 198

Max used to be 209

Those are my numbers almost exactly. I'm 48, so you must be...48.

Honestly cyclists are so annoying. Compare to my co-workers I'm remarkably fit yet when I'm out on a training ride I'm the slow fat one at the back. In a normal group of people a resting heart rate of 61 would be decent.

Depends on what you consider a "normal" group of people.

Those are my numbers almost exactly. I'm 48, so you must be...48.

Whoa. I'm 48 and my numbers are:

resting 40 (true resting, as in sleeping)
standing up resting 48
LT 171
Max 195

I'm also female.

Was tested at University of Arizona when I turned 60. Max after 15 minutes on treadmill was 187; resting (not sleeping) 15 minutes later: 49 bpm.
Am turning 76 next month; still riding 100+ miles a week.
I do not use a heart monitor when cycling.
Hey, as long as it keeps beating, I'm fine!

Was tested at University of Arizona when I turned 60. Max after 15 minutes on treadmill was 187; resting (not sleeping) 15 minutes later: 49 bpm.
Am turning 76 next month; still riding 100+ miles a week.
I do not use a heart monitor when cycling.
Hey, as long as it keeps beating, I'm fine!


Well, whatever you're doing just keep doing it -- I can't imagine there are too many 75 year olds that could hang with you, or for that matter, 40 year olds!

I salute you sir!


Brian

Resting heart rate is jsut when you're sitting and taking it easy. Using your experience above, your resting 68 or so.

The best way to measure max is an actual test. Warm up a few minutes and find a long, gradual hill. Start out well before the hill and keep shifting every minute to a more difficult hill at a relatively moderate cadence (85 -90 rpm). Keep the cadence steady while you keep moving through each gear. As you go up the hill, try to keep the cadence the same. When you are really struggling, shift once more, stand up and sprint all out. That will be your max.

I'd be a little hesitant about a self-induced stress test right away, though it's going to give you your best results.

I went through the same situation earlier this year when I started getting more serious about exercise and health. Most calcs put me at a max HR of 170. It was hard for me to stay under this. The nurse at work told me I was headed for problems if I pushed above this. Finally discussed it with my doctor. He said with the absence of cardio issues, my max HR should be whatever my HRM records as my actual experienced mas, and I should go ahead and see what that is.

Now I calc my HR zones with my actual recorded max of 190 bpm and the workouts are a lot more interesting.

I decided to ride a new road one day only to find a grueling climb in the middle of it. It was after 55 miles of good riding already but I never shy away from a challenge. Near the top, I was huffing and puffing quite heavily with 2 little puppy dogs trotting alongside announcing their presence. They were little terrier types and not aggressive, just annoying enough to force myself to keep going. I knew I was pushing and when I looked at my heart monitor it showed 200. I pulled over into a side road and took a breather as I watched it come down into the 190's and eventually settle below 170. The max that it recorded was 205. Some say it was a fluke and that my heart monitor wasn't recording right, but I saw it drop down through the range. I never felt angina or other pain, but I could tell that I had stressed my heart a bit.

According to the 220-age, I was 15.

Max HR is different for everyone. Just need to know about where it is and train from there.

Im 35, resting is 50 and max is 191. Im not in superfit shape. Id say if a 10 is an elite athelete, I am a 5.

For the people who have a resting heart rate in the 40-50 range,how long have you been riding?Just curious this is my first season back on a bike in about thirteen years.

For the people who have a resting heart rate in the 40-50 range,how long have you been riding?Just curious this is my first season back on a bike in about thirteen years.

riding over 20 years