Heart Rate during Exercise

[steader]

Hi, Since deciding to sort myself out after discovering I weighed 378lbs I have been visiting my gym 4-5 times a week regularly do mountain biking and play squash at least once a week for the past 4 years and have never really taken much notice on whether my heart rate is correct.

I usually do 80 minutes CV of which I maintain my heart rate at 135bpm at rest intervals and 150bpm max at work intervals, this is usually followed by 40 minutes of moderate weights of which my bpm is approx. 140. After exercise is over my heart rate recovers to normal levels quickly.

I also suffer from high blood pressure and currently taking medication. Medication alone doesn't keep my BP down, only stablises it at a high level but when I exercise it comes down to normal levels.

My question is, I weigh 299lbs have a height of 5ft 11" and have been told that I'm expecting too much from my heart at this weight.

I feel comfortable with my workout so happy to continue, can anyone advise me of what is my best heart rate is please?

How old are you?

How do you feel when your HR is at 150 bpm and how long can you sustain activity at this bpm level before you need recovery time?

The BP medicine can impact your HR readings. Out of curiosity, do you know your resting HR - the bpm when you first wake up in the morning and do anything? If you don't know that reading, then how about when you are sitting down and as calm as can be?

Who is telling you that you are working your heart too hard. Your description of what you are doing is indicative of someone who is attuned to his HR and that is good.

I think HR monitor training will help you improve your fitness and make progress in weight loss tremendously. You've got to work the nutrition department though and be prepared to make your transformation a long-term, lifetime journey.

Why don't you post your workouts in the online journal section of this forum. You'll get lots of good feedback by people here who are interested in your success. And you'll have lots of people privately cheering for you.

[Bulwark]

There are modifies HR formulas you can use to determine where you "should" be. Go with how you feel. If it gets too hard slow it up. I'll get you the formula if you want it. PM me.

[Firehawk]

Nice job on the weight loss...

[Lady C]

Congratulations on your fat loss. :

I don't see staying within a range as necessary. I go more on how I feel. I used to hit the high 160/low 170s when I would do intervals and my heartrate would return to 130s within a couple minutes. Your heart is a muscle and it too will get stronger.

Originally Posted by steader

I usually do 80 minutes CV . . . this is usually followed by 40 minutes of moderate weights

You should really switch the order - weights then cardio. Why? You have exhausted all of your muscle glycogen before you get to lifting. Lifting requires good glycogen stores for optimal results.

Cardio will see better fat burning with low glocogen stores.