Originally Posted by
hamster
MHR variability from the first study I could find in google:
Formulas are good for predicting average MHR, they just fail to inform you that any randomly picked person can easily be up to 20 bpm above or below the average.
Yep, you got it. The formulas are not bunk or garbage or any other pejorative. They are averages for 'typical' people. Since nobody is a typical person, they are seldom accurate on an individual level. But, they are a good starting point until you are able measure YOUR max...
As to the debate on whether training to a max heart rate or LTHR is better. The answer probably depends on your goals. It seems to me that LTHR has more to do with performance. MaxHR has more to do with overall cardio fitness.