Subject: Determining HR zones Okay, so the program I'm following is based on HR zones. Just wondering if someone can help me with determining my zones? It says ~65% of max for Z1, ~70% of max for Z2, 75-80% for Z3, and ~85% for Z4.
I know the 220 minus age calculation isn't perfect but is generally in the ballpark. At my age, that gives me a max HR of 186...so about 120 for Z1, 130 for Z2, 145 for Z3, and 160 for Z4.
I had my VO2 max tested a couple weeks ago, but the HR strap they had on me started messing up so I never got a true max HR. He did say that it would likely be in that 185 ballpark, though.
But he also said that calculating my HR zones in the above manner was incorrect because it didn't take into account my resting HR, which he measured at 60. He said I should take my estimated max (186 ) and subtract that from my resting HR (60 ) to give me a "range" of 126. Then take that range, use multipliers to get each zone, and add resting HR to get final values. That gives me 140 for Z1, 150 for Z2, 160 for Z3, and 165-170 for Z4.
Any opinions? As you can see, the first way of calculating ends up with a much lower HR for each zone than the second way.
Thanks! |