Max Heart Rate does not mean much. Its a genetically determined number, not related to fitness level. It does seem that most people are way above the 220-age number. Resting HR is related to heart volume, fitness, fatigue levels and such. From what I have heard, HR recovery is a good measure of relative fitness.

The age-related drop in rate IS related to fitness level.

Here is one of many references:

Age 74. Max 183, lowest low 49, but usually mid-50s.

Sounds like a skewed sample of very fit atipical folks. Not sure but my guess is that your in the upper .00003 pecentile of you AG. No doubt you would drop my a** quick on a hillclimb.

I'm 53, and the max HR I've seen is about 174 if I recall (v. the canonical value being 167). I did not see stars or angels, so I think it could have gone higher. My rest HR is currently 60, and it has been as low as 57 a few months ago when I was really riding a lot.

Ken

Age 54 (by one week)

Max HR is 194.

Avg HR on rides is 145-150. Avg HR during TT's is 175+.

Age 54. Max I have seen on my HRM is 177. I ride mostly above 7000 feet. Some authors indicate that this (the altitude) lowers you max by about 5 beats per minute. But, I generally ride based on my lactate threshold (around 162 bpm) which I determined by using 'the rating of perceived exertion' method found in "Cycling Past 50." Works well for me.

58/159 here. I've hit the 159 peak once or twice a year for the past
6-7 years. My usual high on hard rides is about 150. I hit 166 once,
but that was 10 years ago. My resting pulse averages about 40,
with occasional dips to 37-38 bpm.

55/194

You Sir are one awesome Dude!:eek:

Mines 172/59.5 My aerobic threshold is around 145.

Ohhh. BTW - my HR raises by 3 BPM when I kiss my Lovely wife. It made her Day!!!!!!!

And for those who are thinking ahead - No I haven't measured that as yet.

Age 66 Max180 Resting 53 I have had that spike to 203 a couple of times but didn't know why. I would like to ride between 140-150 but my buddies seem to push it higher.I try to slow down at 160. I always back off at 170 no matter what. John

That works for me at age 66. i.e 161-ish. I can't get it any higher. My resting is 48 BTW.

Interesting! Keep those numbers comin' folks. It's clear that the conventional formulas are merely approximations to a more complex situation, but that's hardly surprising. Once all the numbers are in, I'll generate some statistics and post the results here for all to see.

In my 50th year I'm very close to the above. I've seen 174 on my HRM (don't wear much) and at 160 I'm looking to back off quickly.

I'm 53 years old. I have a spreadsheet that has 3 different formulas for calculating my MHR. The highest calculated rate is 179 bpm and the lowest is 167 bpm. The middle rate also happens to be the average, 172 bpm. My measured maximum heart rate (to date) is 184 bpm. On those rare occassions when I use a heart rate formula for something I use the ONLY meaningful number in the lot, my measured maximum heart rate of 184 bpm.

RCK and I have a couple of hills that we use to gauge our fitness. My heart rate does not get as high on these hills as it used to do. More importantly, my heart rate drops more quickly at the top of the hills than it used to do.

What does it all mean? I like to think it means I'm in pretty good physical condition for a 53 year old in spite of being 5' 7" tall and 200 lbs.

Highest I've ever seen on a ride is 168. Resting HR is low 40's. I recover very quickly, often dropping 20 bpm in 30 seconds after a hard sprint. I can ride long periods around 145-150 but generally average around 137-140 over a 3 hour ride. I'm just shy of 48, 175 lbs and around 6 ft.

I have no idea what any of this means but feel I'm pretty fit for my age.

// kak

Age 65 (in December)
Max HR observed = 165 (with stars, max is unknown)
Max HR at 16.7 MPH average on a Resistance trainer at 91 RPM for one hour = 115
Max HR at 20.0 MPH average on a circular Park road for 50 miles = 125
Recovery from HR = 115 to <90 in <2 minutes
Resting HR = 50 (as I write this post)

Age 55 Max HR 181 set this year.

I have gone to 180 on a stress test a few years ago. That seems to be about it.

Age 58; MHR 177 observed; RHR 53 last time checked.

Ken

Age 51. I've seen 182 on the HRM. Through the haze of pain.

Sorry for trhe deiay in getting back- I'm 56.

I've just started reading up on the subject, and it doesn't look like MHR has anything to do with fitness. That is, as fitness inproves, the max remains essentially the same, with increased power for any given rate. It does seem that the recovery rate would be a better indicator of fitness, and this is a feature I'll be looking for.

So, yes, I'm discussing the subject and have yet to get a hrm. Suggestions welcome, of course.

Max heart rate 125
 

I'm 68, and my max heart rate is supposed to be 152. I can't seem to get my heart rate over 125, even on the steepest hills. My resting heart rate, before arising in the morning, is in the low 50's.

You wouldn't happen to be on a beta blocker (for high blood pressure or post-heart attack or thelike), would you? If you are, you won't get near your MHR.