BPH maxed

[zokki]

Hello my running buddies

I showed my friend a screenshot of my Fitbit or something like that measures yesterday.

Just started using this gadget recently

He said my max heart beat was maxed out at 175 and to slow down. My average was about 150.

I am already running very slowly so not sure how to do that.

Can anyone suggest any reading on this.

This was week 6 run 3.

Thank you 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Don't worry, wrist based heart rate monitors are not exact science. If you don't feel like you are pushing too hard (you're literally bent over struggling to get breath) then you're not. You may need to adjust your max hr in the app to get it to stop telling you to slow down.

If these things were accurate my own heart would have exploded some time back, but I'm still here 👍🏻🤣

They tend to work off the basic calculation of 220 minus age which is also flawed.

Just treat it as a rough guide 😉

[zokki Graduate]

Thank you Gogo

It actually doesn’t say anything according to my age that would be my max. I can only look at it after. To difficult to look for it during the run.

I can’t feel my heart beating fast so thought I’m doing ok.

Thanks again 🤗

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

I agree with GoGo_JoJo - take with a pinch of salt! I never monitor my own heart rate as I know it would set me worrying. I am pretty sure I would know if I was overdoing it and four and a half years after graduating I too, am still here! If I feel strong and energised, I push on; if I'm really struggling, I ease up a bit. Not very scientific but seems pretty effective!🙂

[zokki Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. 🙏🏻

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If it is not calibrated to your age, your actual as opposed to theoretical maximum heart rate, then it is all guesswork and the zones becomes nothing more than a vague guide.

The only way to overcome this is with a lot of research on your behalf.

[zokki Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Best to listen to your body than read the stats.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Unless your friend is also your doctor he doesn’t know as much about your heart rate as he thinks he does. The much vaunted formula is not reliable especially among people who exercise regularly, plus wrist worn heart rate monitors are not always reliable in the first place. As others have said, listen to your body. With regard to stats they will become more helpful as you learn what is normal for YOU and not for some mythical average person. If your friend raises it again just mutter something about a small amount of knowledge being a dangerous thing and change the subject 😂

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

Aside from the 220-age formula being a not very good "best guess" measurement, wrist worn heart rate monitors often fall foul of cadence lock, where they lock on to your foot fall rather than your pulse.

I look at the zones on my garmin as a sort of guide, but don't really pay too much attention. I know if a particular run has been harder or easier because of how I feel during and after. So long as I don't feel like my heart is about to erupt through my chest and spontaneously combust on the pavement before me, I take the view that I'm probably still within my limits.