Resting heart rate improvement

[ArthurJG]

I know the heart rate monitor on a Fitbit is not the most precise but it's still good for tracking changes, rather than absolute measurements. I noticed this week, which for me was week 5 of C25K, that my resting heart rate is around TEN POINTS LOWER than it was before I started the programme. Previously it was consistently in the mid 70s which is classed as 'average' for someone of my age and sex. Now it's 64 which is in the 'good' category. I think that shows the programme does actually make a difference to physical wellbeing as well as mental.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It really does make a big difference in your cardiovascular fitness, no doubt about it! 👍😁

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Seconded. I feel fitter than I can remember. (I know I used to be fitter just can’t remember it!!)

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I think we were all fitter once, we were just too dumb and young to hang on to it!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I thought it would make a difference but the size of the difference after just five weeks surprised me.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

By week 5 you're already doing much more than you could at the start. You're halfway there👍😁

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Indeed I am. Thank you. But I thought things like cardio improvement would take a bit longer than a month to show such a measurable difference.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

That was a surprise to me as well, I got one of those apps and followed the instructions on how you could measure your resting heart rate. I am 72 years of age and of average weight and BMI about 23 or 24. I measured my resting heart rate before I started C25K and it was 63, I did not know what that meant so I looked up a website and is said that for my age group between 60 and 70 was good, anything under 60 was excellent. About half-way through the C25K program on my rest day, I once again measured my heart rate, this time it was 56, so it just shows you that doing exercises like running improves your health. I will not measure my rest heart rate until I have completed the full program ofC25K, I wonder what it will be then!? trained athletes have a rest heart rate in the 30's and 40's.