Training & Nutrition - Did my LTHR test

Well I just got my new KK fluid trainer so the first thing I did this AM was jump on to do the 2x20 LTHR test.

I maintained 180bpm thru both intervals so according to the sticky my zones would be as follows

MHR 225bpm
Zone 3: 157-180
Zone 2: 135-157
Zone 1: <123

Does this sound right? 225 sounds kind of high for a max HR, though I remember hitting 219 about a year ago right before so I guess its a possibilty.

Would I be better served to do a MHR test to determine zone training or is this the more standard method?

For the record, I'm 26, plan on possibly racing next season, and am waiting for Joe Friel's Cyclist training bible in the mail. I took two days off before doing this test and got a good night sleep so I feel it was an accurate measurement.

If my HR monitor says that I'm in the 200s, its usually a bad connection to my chest or interference, I would probably check your MH again just to be sure it is correct and not a glitch.

Did you actually see 225 on your HRM? Seems high to me.

I'm 179 on the LT test. However, the highest I've ever hit is 197. So, as far as I'm concerned, 197 is my maximum heartrate. So I can hold ~91% of my MHR for 20 minutes. I'm more like 174 for a 60 minute (functional threshold power FTP) though.

If you're really maxing out at 225, then you're only holding 80% of your heartrate. Something seems off.

Hey folks - the sticky says divide the test results by .8 to get an estimate of MHR. Most of us think that's too small a number - .9 is probably closer. I'm usually .9 to .93. Many young people can easily achieve HRs over 200, though.

I'll have to test my MHR to get a more accurate idea. I remember the day my HRM said 219 tho. I felt like I got hit by a truck for a day afterward so I figured I kicked my heart into overdrive.

As you get better trained, you can hold a higher percentage of your max HR. When I was trained, I was able to average 171 on my field test when my max is perhaps 185.