I'm 45 and have only been into cycling 4 months now. Just bought a Polar FT7 and starting to get some data. Resting HR just after waking but still in bed is 45, normal at rest when up, sitting down and such is 55.

From what I have read max HR is very hard and painful to figure out and is unique to each person. But, going by breathing patterns, 140 is cake, anything less feels like I'm doing nothing, up to 150 I can talk without much problem, at 160 my breathing becomes intense, deep and rythmic, and while I could talk, it would be choppy. Max today was 166 and while I was laboring I felt I could go a good bit harder, at least for a bit, but talking would be very difficult.

Do you guys/gals figure your percentages going with the heart rate reserve formula?