Hey,
i have just recently started an excerise regime at my local gym, im' 20 years old so i assume my MHR would be around the 200 mark.

Now, when i work out it seems that my heart is up around the 16-175 mark which is the correct range for aerobic fitness.

Now here is the kicker, when i am on the cross trainer, my heart rate ranges from 180-190, which is into the 90%+ range, which i maintain for half an hour or more.

My question is, being not particularly fit at the moment, how am i able to sustain this excersise in the "red zone"? Is my heart perhaps over size or undersize so that i have a much higher MHR, or does being on a cross trainer inflate your heart rate.

My secondary question is whether or not i am at any risk training at a heart rate above 180?

thank you.

For a rough calculation of your maximum heartrate minus your age from 220. Then calculate your percentages. Heart rate sensors on machines in gyms especially those that get used often can be very inaccurate. If possible use a heartrate monitor with a telemetry strap far more accurate.

That formula is, more often than not, a load of bunk.

Your maximum heart rate must be DETERMINED - not guessed at using some formula.

Go here for more info: Max Heart Rate

Good luck!

Bull****. By using an exact calculator doesnt give you that much more accurate reading. What difference is 5 beats either side going to make to a training session in which your heart rate is varying by much more.

Adaptation to cardiovascular exercise occurs the best with fluctuations in normal values and also through anaerobic threshold percentages. The latter isnt likely to be tested in the gym so the greatest gains will be achieved within a certain range of heartrate values. By takin 75%MHR then this person can get a calculation from which he can work from say 12 beats either side. There is no need for a calculator.

Its best to make judgements based on real life experiences not those that are posted on a website.

The formula is problematic. It is not accurate for many people. I did not say to use a calculator. I am advocating getting an accurate assessment of Max Heart Rate.

In my case, if I used that age formula, my max heart rate would be off by 15 beats per minute and my training zones would be FAR from accurate.

All I am saying is a person should get an accurate read on their max heart rate before identifying their training zones.

I agree with NBS--if you are testing your heartrate using a device on the cardio machine, it may be very inaccurate.....use a reliable strap on heartrate monitor. You could take your your heartrate using the old manual way, with your fingers, but again, if your heartrate is up that high, you may get inaccuracies......