I understand that my 'maximum' heart rate for my age is 220-48=172. 80% of 172 is 138.
Now, according to this:
http://walking.about.com/cs/fitnesswalking/a/hearttraining_2.htm
If I get above 138 bpm heart rate, I'm out of the aerobic zone and into the anaerobic zone. I should be breathing really hard, unable to speak, etc.
However, my results have been quite a bit different. I hit the treadmill 2x to 3x per week (recently been trying an elliptical machine instead). I have been aiming for a pulse rate of 155-165 and staying there for around 45 minutes or so (which according to the treadmill pedometer, is about 3 miles). I always feel terrific when I get done.
But I am *not* all torn up at that rate. I'm breathing hard, but not panting or pushing myself. I'm not hurting, and I suppose if I wanted to, I could speak in more than "single, gasped, words" as the website I referenced says.
So what does this mean? Am I hurting myself by exercising at well over my 138 bpm aerobic peak? Am I just in better (or worse) shape than the average?
I hadn't really been paying attention to this, but I was talking to a coworker this morning and I mentioned that I usually hit 165 bpm or so when I'm working out and try to keep it no lower than 155, and he told me I'm hurting my heart. Yikes!
Anybody?
Now, according to this:
http://walking.about.com/cs/fitnesswalking/a/hearttraining_2.htm
If I get above 138 bpm heart rate, I'm out of the aerobic zone and into the anaerobic zone. I should be breathing really hard, unable to speak, etc.
However, my results have been quite a bit different. I hit the treadmill 2x to 3x per week (recently been trying an elliptical machine instead). I have been aiming for a pulse rate of 155-165 and staying there for around 45 minutes or so (which according to the treadmill pedometer, is about 3 miles). I always feel terrific when I get done.
But I am *not* all torn up at that rate. I'm breathing hard, but not panting or pushing myself. I'm not hurting, and I suppose if I wanted to, I could speak in more than "single, gasped, words" as the website I referenced says.
So what does this mean? Am I hurting myself by exercising at well over my 138 bpm aerobic peak? Am I just in better (or worse) shape than the average?
I hadn't really been paying attention to this, but I was talking to a coworker this morning and I mentioned that I usually hit 165 bpm or so when I'm working out and try to keep it no lower than 155, and he told me I'm hurting my heart. Yikes!
Anybody?